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.

Climate Disruption--Sept. 25, 2020

 Climate Disruption--Sept. 25, 2020

 

Jesus of Nazareth, 

Holy One of God, 

 

how can we bear to see the calamity 

that is coming to the whole planet? 

 

Our eyes waste away from grief

as we think of all the destruction.

 

Meanwhile, some shout one thing,

some another, confusion abounds.

 

Clear our minds, O Lord; calm us 

to see that we still have time 

to change our ways.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20

Esth. 8:1-8, 15-17

Acts 19:21-41

Luke 4:31-37

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 6:7

My eyes waste away because of grief;
          they grow weak because of all my foes.

 

Esth. 8:6

“…For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming on my people?  Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?”  [Esther, to the king]

 

Acts 19:32

Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

 

Luke 4:34

“Let us alone!  What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us?  I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”  [A man who had the spirit of an unclean demon]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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