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.

In the Hour of Surgery--April 5, 2014

                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Do you hear our cry for her, dear God?
Do you know how long it's been happening--
how many years of suffering since her childhood?

In your love she has borne, believed, hoped, endured
all things.  Let your face shine upon her now;
save her in your steadfast love, we pray.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 43; 149; 31; 143
Exod. 2:23-3:15
1 Cor. 13:1-13
Mark 9:14-29

Selected Verses
Ps. 31:16
Let your face shine upon your servant;
          save me in your steadfast love. 

Exod. 3:7
Then the LORD said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters.  Indeed, I know their sufferings…"

1 Cor. 13:7
[Love]  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Mark 9:21
Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?"  And he said, "From childhood.  …"     
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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