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.

What We Are Missing--Sept. 2, 2020

 

If Abraham rejoiced to see your day,

should we not rejoice in you, O Christ?

 

Too much we feel only our own pains,

and mourn only for ourselves.

 

We raise a great commotion

over something missing

for which we will be

held to account,

 

but little concern

for missing the hope

that comes from your

steadfast love.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 96; 147:1-11; 132; 134

Job 12:1, 14:1-22

Acts 12:18-25

John 8:47-59

 

Selected Verses

Ps. 147:11

…but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
          in those who hope in his steadfast love.

 

Job 14:22

“…[Children whose parents have died] feel only the pain of their own bodies, and mourn only for themselves.”

 

Acts 12:18

When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 

 

John 8:56

“…Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.”  [Jesus, to his critics] 


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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