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.

When We Are Deeply Troubled--Dec. 29, 2013


 When we are deeply troubled
and we pour out our soul before you,
then rescue us from the power of darkness;
transfer us into the kingdom of your beloved Son.

He has brought about the rising and the falling of many
and has been a sign that was opposed so that the
inner thoughts of many could be revealed.
The trees of the forest sing for joy
because he is coming to
judge the earth.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 96; 150; 132; 97
1 Sam. 1:1-2, 7b-28
Col. 1:9-20
Luke 2:22-40

 

Selected Verses

Ps. 96:12b-13a
 Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
            before the LORD; for he is coming,
            for he is coming to judge the earth.

1 Sam. 1:15
But Hannah answered [Eli], "No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.  …"

Col. 1:13
[The Father] has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son…

Luke 2:34-35
Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

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