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.

Fruits Worthy of Repentance--Sept. 24, 2017

[From Sept. 20, 2009 archive]

O God, our refuge and our strength:
If we suffer for the sake of your name
and question your willingness to help us,
yet be present with us in our time of trouble,
so that we may bear fruits worthy of repentance;
for we pray in the name of him who suffered for us.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93
2 Kings 4:8-37
Acts 9:10-31
Luke 3:7-18

Selected Verses
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,
            a very present help in trouble.

2 Kings 4:16
[Elisha] said [to the Shunammite woman], "At this season, in due time, you shall embrace a son."  She replied, "No, my lord, O man of God; do not deceive your servant."

Acts 9:16
"…I myself will show [Saul] how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."  [The Lord to Ananias]

Luke 3:8a
"…Bear fruits worthy of repentance.  … "  [John the Baptist to the crowds]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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