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.

Questions for Jesus--Aug. 21, 2020

[From Aug. 24, 2018 archive]

 

We question you—

Who are you, Jesus?

What do you want us to do?

Have we done anything wicked?

 

Sometimes, before asking questions,

we should try sitting with you in silence,

sitting in silence, sharing in your suffering.

Perhaps then you will tell us what to do,

perhaps even lead us in the Way.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 130; 148; 32; 139

Job 2:1-13

Acts 9:1-9

John 6:27-40

 

Selected Verses

Ps. 139:24

See if there is any wicked way in me, 
          and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

Job 2:13

[The three friends of Job] sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

 

Acts 9:5-6

[Saul] asked, “Who are you, Lord?”  The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 

 

John 6:28

Then [people in the crowd] said to [Jesus], “What must we do to perform the works of God?”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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