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.

Stretch Out Your Hand and Deliver--Aug. 17, 2013


 Jesus, you and your followers had varied receptions.
Some days there were shouts of loud hosannas,
but other days, hurled stones and curses--
saying take him away from the earth,
he should not be allowed to live.

Some who follow you today
walk in the midst of trouble.

Preserve them against the wrath
of their enemies; stretch out your hand
and deliver them, we pray you, Lord Jesus.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 104; 149; 138; 98
2 Sam. 16:1-23
Acts 22:17-29
Mark 11:1-11

Selected Verses

Ps. 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
          you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
          and your right hand delivers me.

2 Sam. 16:5-6a
When King David came to Bahurim, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out whose name was Shimei son of Gera; he came out cursing.  He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David…

Acts 22:22
Up to this point [the mob] listened to [Paul], but then they shouted, "Away with such a fellow from the earth!  For he should not be allowed to live."

Mark 11:9
Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  …"

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