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.

Our Suffering, and Yours--Sept. 7, 2013


 The days of our life are seventy years--more if we are strong;
but Lord Jesus, you did not receive your allotment.

We are told that if we are suffering, we should pray.
You prayed, yet you suffered as no other.

When your people are in rebellion against you,
it brings suffering, for us and for you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90
1 Kings 12:1-20
James 5:7-20
Mark 15:33-39

Selected Verses

Ps. 90:10a
The days of our life are seventy years,
          or perhaps eighty, if we are strong…

1 Kings 12:19
So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

James 5:13a
Are any among you suffering?  They should pray. 

Mark 15:37
Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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