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 Angry, Jesus--June 4, 2014


Lord Jesus, we confess at times you upset us;
but we must not send you away from our presence.
We need you with us so that, in humility and gentleness,
we may patiently bear one another in love as we work to
maintain the unity of the Spirit in your bond of peace.
When quarrels begin to surround us like bees, when
tempers blaze like a fire of thorns, then let your
glory spread over us, a shade from the heat
of anger, a refuge from the storm of dissension.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 99; 147:1-11; 9; 118
Isa. 4:2-6
Eph. 4:1-16
Matt. 8:28-34

Selected Verses
Ps. 118:12
[The nations] surrounded me like bees;
          they blazed like a fire of thorns;
          in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 

Isa. 4:5b-6
Indeed over all the glory there will be a canopy.  It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.

Eph. 4:2-3
…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Matt. 8:24
Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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