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.

Bread that Gives Life to the World--March 30, 2014


O God, even the sparrow feels at home with you,
and the swallow builds herself a nest with you.

There is no need to ask who your children are,
for all led by your Spirit are your children.

And you gave us Jesus, bread come down
from heaven, to give life to the world.

We praise you for your good creation,
and for your Spirit, and for Jesus.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 84; 150; 42; 32
Gen. 48:8-22
Rom. 8:11-25
John 6:27-40

Selected Verses
Ps. 84:3
Even the sparrow finds a home,
          and the swallow a nest for herself,
          where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
          my King and my God.

Gen. 48:8
When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Who are these?"

Rom. 8:14
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

John 6:33
"…For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  [Jesus to the crowd that had followed him to Capernaum]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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