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.

To Bear Fruit, Even in Suffering--April 30, 2013


 You made the heavens and the earth;
nothing is too hard for you, God.
When we are greatly afflicted,
pray give us endurance to

hold fast to your word,
rejoice in hope,
persevere in prayer,
be patient in suffering,
keep faith, and bear fruit.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116
Jer. 32:16-25
Rom. 12:1-21
Luke 8:1-15

Selected Verses

Ps. 116:10
I kept my faith, even when I said,
          “I am greatly afflicted” …

Jer. 32:17
Ah Lord GOD!  It is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too hard for you.

Rom. 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Luke 8:15
"…But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance."  [Jesus, explaining the parable to his disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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