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.

Neither Cloud by Day, nor Fire by Night--April 28, 2018


God of Compassion, we have no cloud
to lead us by day, no fire by night,
but you make your sun rise on
the evil and on the good;
you send rain on the
righteous and the
unrighteous.

You have shown us how
to love one another--
help us love more--
not only our friends,
but even our enemies,
yes, even our persecutors!
Lead us beside the still waters;
lead us, O God, and restore our souls.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Exod. 40:18-38
1 Thess. 4:1-12
Matt. 5:38-48

Selected Verses
Ps. 23:2c-3a
[The LORD] leads me beside still waters; 
        he restores my soul. 

Exod. 40:38
For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel at each stage of their journey.

1 Thess. 4:9-10
Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia.  But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more…

Matt. 5:44-45
"…But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.  …"  [Jesus to the crowd on the mountain]

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