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.

Unexpected Reactions to Good News--July 27, 2013


 O God, even Jesus did not find the reception
he had expected in his home town.

The young Amalekite expected David to laud
him for killing David's enemy but
instead received a death sentence.

In contrast, Judas and Silas were well received
by those they were sent to encourage.

We can never be sure how people will respond
to unexpected news, but this we know--
that your steadfast love endures forever.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 56; 149; 118; 111
2 Sam. 1:1-16
Acts 15:22-35
Mark 6:1-13

Selected Verses

Ps. 118:29
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
          for his steadfast love endures forever.

2 Sam. 1:14
David said to [the young Amalekite who reported he had killed King Saul], “Were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?”

Acts 15:32-33
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.  After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the believers to those who had sent them.

Mark 6:6
And [Jesus] was amazed at the [unbelief in his home town].  Then he went about among the villages teaching.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)