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.

Patient Endurance, Bearing Fruit--Oct. 9, 2020


[From Oct. 12, 2012 archive, adapted from my Oct. 11, 2002 journal]

 

Earthly powers may treat us fairly or unfairly,

but we depend upon your steadfast love and mercy.

Woe to us if you depart from us, or we from you.

 

Help us to hear your word, 

and to hold it fast in our hearts,

bearing fruit with patient endurance.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 51; 148; 142; 65

Hosea 9:10-17

Acts 24:24-25:12

Luke 8:1-15

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 51:1

Have mercy on me, O God, 
          according to your steadfast love; 
according to your abundant mercy 
          blot out my transgressions.

 

Hosea 9:12b

Woe to [Ephraim] indeed when I depart from them!

 

Acts 24:12b

Paul said [at his trial before Festus], “I am appealing to the emperor's tribunal; this is where I should be tried.  I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know.  …”

 

Luke 8:15

“…But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.  …”  [Jesus to his disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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