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 Grow Weary, Rest--May 5, 2018



Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, you have warned us
that the gate is narrow and the road is hard,
and we admit that we grow weary
trying to do what is right.

Remind us: when you lead us on the hard road,
you also expect us to lie down and rest--
to observe times of complete rest--
for you to restore our souls.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Lev. 23:23-44
2 Thess. 3:1-18
Matt. 7:13-21

Selected Verses
Ps. 23:2-3a
          [The LORD] makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
          he restores my soul. 

Lev. 23:32
[The day of atonement] shall be to you a sabbath of complete rest, and you shall deny yourselves; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening you shall keep your sabbath.

2 Thess. 3:13
Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Matt. 7:14
"…For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.  …"  [Jesus to the crowd on the mountain]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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