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.

If Your Hands Uphold Us--Oct. 3, 2020


Lord Jesus, 

when we are abused, hated, cursed,

and a net is hidden to capture us,

 or when a snare is set to trip us, 

or a pit dug for us to fall into;

and we are bound in chains,

 

then you admonish us

to love our enemies, 

do good to them, 

and bless them.

 

How could we?

How could anyone?

Perhaps only if our soul

clings to you, and you hold us

in your nail-pierced hands.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90

Hosea 5:1-7

Acts 22:17-29

Luke 6:27-38

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 63:8

My soul clings to you; 
          your right hand upholds me.

 

Hosea 5:1-2

Hear this, O priests!  Give heed, O house of Israel!  Listen, O house of the king!  For the judgment pertains to you; for you have been a snare at Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor,  and a pit dug deep in Shittim; but I will punish all of them.

 

Acts 22:29

Immediately those who were about to examine [Paul] drew back from him; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

 

Luke 6:27-28

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  …”  [Jesus, in the hearing of the people]


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