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 Those Who Have Endured Much--July 23, 2021

[From July 22, 2011 archive; adapted from my 1999 journal]

 

We pray for those who have endured much

under many physicians, and are no better,

but rather grow worse.

 

We know about family calamity—

it has come to families we love.

 

It has come to families who for 

generations have read your scriptures, 

and have proclaimed your word.

 

Yet in their time of distress

the rush of mighty waters

has reached them.

 

We know, but make us faithful

as we offer prayers to you, 

O Great Physician.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 130; 148; 32; 139

1 Sam. 31:1-13

Acts 15:12-21

Mark 5:21-43

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 32:6

Therefore let all who are faithful 
          offer prayer to you; 
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters 
          shall not reach them.

 

1 Sam. 31:6

So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together on the same day.

 

Acts 15:21

“…For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”  [James speaking at the Jerusalem Council]

 

Mark 5:25-26

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years.  The woman  had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse.


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

2 comments:

  1. Mea SententiaJuly 23, 2021 at 6:38 PM

    I visited a hospice patient yesterday who lost her first four children in a house fire. She had two more children afterward, and they were with her in the room. It's a calamity that leaves you speechless. She died a few hours after I prayed for her. Peace at last.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elmer E. EwingJuly 23, 2021 at 10:38 PM

    So very sad. It is good that you could be present with her and them.

    ReplyDelete

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