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.

How Do We Remember to Trust in You?--Sept. 6, 2013



 I wonder what happened to the ten pieces of Jeroboam's
new robe that the prophet tore off and gave to him?
Did Jeroboam keep them as a reminder of your
promise that he would be king over Israel?

The clothes for which the soldiers rolled dice
after they mocked and tortured and executed Jesus:
did the soldiers sell them, or keep them to remember him?

Our lives are mists that appear for a little while and vanish;
we do not know what tomorrow will bring, O God;
yet happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 84; 148; 25; 40
1 Kings 11:26-43
James 4:13-5:6
Mark 15:22-32

Selected Verses

Ps. 84:12
 O LORD of hosts,
          happy is everyone who trusts in you.

1 Kings 11:31
[Ahijah] then said to Jeroboam: Take for yourself ten pieces; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, "See, I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and will give you ten tribes.  …"

James 4:14
Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Mark 15:24
And [the soldiers] crucified [Jesus], and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

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