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.

Deep Distress with Bitter Weeping--June 17, 2013


 We pray to you, God, for you are faithful in all
your words and gracious in all your deeds.

It is not for us to know the times or periods
that you have set by your authority;

yet we know you have sent your beloved Son,
and that we have not respected him,

and that for this we have every reason to be
in deep distress with bitter weeping.

In your mercy forgive us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29
1 Sam. 1:1-20
Acts 1:1-14
Luke 20:9-19

Selected Verses

Ps. 145:13b
The LORD is faithful in all his words,
          and gracious in all his deeds.

1 Sam. 1:1
[Hannah] was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD, and wept bitterly.

Acts 1:7
[Jesus] replied [to the apostles], “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.  …" 

Luke 20:13
"…Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do?  I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’  …"  [Jesus to the people]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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