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.

Power in the Spirit--May 25, 2019


O Shepherd God,
we are obsessed by power.
We think power makes us happy,
but when we are strong, we suppose
that we have no need of you--
that is our downfall. 

When we are strong,
show us how to use power
to help those who are weak,
lest we lose our strength
before we turn to you.

Restore our souls;
lead us in the power of
your Spirit, that we may
proclaim your kingdom
by the way we serve
to build up our
neighbor.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Deut. 32:34-43
Rom. 15:1-13
Luke 9:1-17

Selected Verses
Ps. 23:1-3a
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
         He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
         he restores my soul. 

Deut. 32:36
Indeed the LORD will vindicate his people,
          have compassion on his servants,
when he sees that their power is gone,
          neither bond nor free remaining. 

Rom. 15:1-2, 13
We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 9:1-2
Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

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