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.

Jesus, Tested by Suffering--Feb. 22, 2021

 

O Lord my God, your hands have made and fashioned us,

and you have given us Jesus, tested by suffering,

so that he is able to help us when we suffer.

 

But if all goes well with us, and we prosper, 

forbid that we should exalt ourselves and turn away.

Instead, grant us understanding of your commandments.

 

Then when our hour comes, may Christ help us face it 

with the courage, faith, and love that he faced his.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 119:73-80; 145; 121; 6

Deut. 8:1-20

Heb. 2:11-18

John 2:1-12

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 119:73

Your hands have made and fashioned me;
          give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

 

Deut. 8:13

…and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…

 

Heb. 2:18

Because [Jesus] himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

 

John 2:3-4

When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”  And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me?  My hour has not yet come.” 

 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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