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.

Shall We Laugh Like Abraham?--Jan. 26, 2018


You have broken your bread for us, blessed Jesus,
and you have given us as much as we wanted.
Rather than laughing at what seems absurd,
help us to hold fast without wavering
as we confess our hope in you
and praise your name.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20
Gen. 17:15-27
Heb. 10:11-25
John 6:1-15

Selected Verses
Ps. 148:13
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
          for his name alone is exalted;
          his glory is above earth and heaven. 

Gen. 17:17
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?  Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"

Heb. 10:23
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 

John 6:11
Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 



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Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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