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.

Darkness, and Thick Darkness--Feb. 14, 2019

[From Feb. 10, 2011 archive]

O God, we have no good apart from you.
Apart from you, darkness covers the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples.

Rise upon us, and let your glory appear over us,
for what is impossible for us will be possible for you.

Then give us pure hearts to call upon you,
in pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 97; 147:12-20; 16; 62
Isa. 60:1-22
2 Tim. 2:14-26
Mark 10:17-31

Selected Verses
Ps. 16:2
I say to the LORD,"You are my Lord;
            I have no good apart from you."

Isa. 60:2
For darkness shall cover the earth,
            and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
            and his glory will appear over you.

2 Tim. 2:22
Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at [his disciples] and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible."

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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