I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

If We Were Faithful Like Thomas--Sept. 12, 2012



O Lord of righteousness and justice,
we marvel at your steadfast love.

If we were like Thomas, we would be
willing to go with you, whatever the danger.

If like Paul and Barnabas, we would encourage
our brothers and sisters to continue in the faith.

Jesus, forbid we should turn against the needy;
may we weep for those whose day was hard;
and may our souls grieve for the poor.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33
Job 29:1, 30:1-2, 16-31
Acts 14:19-28
John 11:1-16

Selected Verses
Ps. 33:5
[The LORD] loves righteousness and justice;
      the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

Job 30:24
"Surely one does not turn against the needy, when in disaster they cry for help. Did I not weep for those whose day was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the poor? …" [Job complains against God]

Acts 14:22
[In Antioch Paul and Barnabas] strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, "It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God."

John 11:16
Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with [Jesus]."
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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