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.

Finding Words of Consolation--Nov. 8, 2020


God, I need to say words of upbuilding 

and encouragement and consolation

to one who is in deepest mourning. 

 

I am late in coming to you for help, 

but please be generous—make 

my heart and my words 

acceptable.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113

Joel 1:1-13

1 Cor. 14:1-12

Matt. 20:1-16

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
          be acceptable to you,
          O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

 

Joel 1:8

Lament like a virgin dressed in sackcloth
     for the husband of her youth.

 

1 Cor. 14:3

On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 

 

Matt. 20:9

 “‘…Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.  Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?  Or are you envious because I am generous?  …’”  [The landowner, to the last hired, in Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers]

  …”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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