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.

For Us, Too, the Blessing--Jan. 28, 2021

When our spirits faint within us

and our hearts are appalled, 

with the promise of your Spirit

you comfort your people.

 

With compassion for our suffering, 

Christ Jesus breaks the loaves

and divides his food among us all.

 

Sing for joy, O heavens; exult O earth;

break forth, O mountains into singing;

the blessing of Abraham is also for us.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116

Isa. 49:13-26

Gal. 3:1-14

Mark 6:30-46

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 143:4

Therefore my spirit faints within me;
          my heart within me is appalled.

 

Isa. 49:13

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
          break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the LORD has comforted his people,
          and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

 

Gal. 3:14

…in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

Mark 6:41

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, [Jesus] looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all.


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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