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.

To Rest a While, with Food and Drink--March 19, 2020


Lord Jesus Christ, wherever you call
us to go, whatever you call to do,
go with us to do your bidding.

And if, as we do your work, we have had
no leisure even to eat, then show us how
to pause in our labor and rest a while,
a time to enjoy the food and drink
that you have supplied for us.

Then make us grateful for the rest,
for the food, and for the drink,
and grant us your peace.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 27; 147:12-20; 126; 102
Gen. 46:1-7, 28-34
1 Cor. 9:1-15
Mark 6:30-46

Selected Verses
Ps. 147:14
[The LORD] grants peace within your borders;
          he fills you with the finest of wheat.

Gen. 46:3
Then [God] said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.  I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph's own hand shall close your eyes.”

1 Cor. 9:3-4
This is my defense to those who would examine me.  Do we not have the right to our food and drink?

Mark 6:31
[Jesus] said to [his disciples], “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”  For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

2 comments:

  1. Mea SententiaMarch 19, 2020 at 4:59 PM

    This is really lovely. Thank you. I like how you take unexpected verses at times.

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  2. Elmer E. EwingMarch 19, 2020 at 8:39 PM

    Thank you, Chris. I’m sure you have noticed how on some days there are so many rich verses that it is hard to decide which to choose, and on other days none appeal at all—at least on first reading. I also try to minimize selection of verses I have taken in previous years. But this is all part of what keeps me going.

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