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.

Answer Us in the Day of Trouble--Jan. 4, 2014


 Lord Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world--
in your name we give thanks to God the Father.

God, protect us in the day of trouble,
the day that comes to each of us;
answer us when we call you.

And, in time to come,
when our children ask us
why we give thanks to you,
may we remember to tell them
about all of your wondrous works.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 20; 149; 93; 97
Josh. 3:14-4:7
Eph. 5:1-20
John 9:1-12, 35-38

Selected Verses

Ps. 20:1
The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
          The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

Josh. 4:6b-7a
"…When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the LORD.  …"  [Joshua to one man from each of the twelve tribes]

Eph. 5:20
…giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 9:5
"…As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  [Jesus to his disciples]

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