The Prologue of the Gospel of John

This meditation is based on a passage for August 2, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: John 1:1-18 Reflection and Question: This is the heart of the Gospel, right here, where sublimely simple images, like light shining in darkness, capture who […]

God Calls Gideon to Free Israel from the Midianites

This meditation is based on a passage for August 1, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Judges 6:1-24 Reflection and Question: My sons are adults now, but I still remember the chapel talk on Gideon at their Episcopal elementary school. The […]

The Song of Deborah – Part Two

This meditation is based on a passage for July 31, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Judges 5:19-31 Reflection and Question: This amazing ancient poem ends with a gripping description of Jael’s killing of Sisera, which guarantees the victory for Israel […]

The Song of Deborah – Part One

This meditation is based on a passage for July 30, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Judges 5:1-18 Reflection and Question: Imagine yourself in the time when the most highly revered person in your community was the one who learned all […]

Sing Aloud to God Our Strength

This meditation is based on a passage for July 29, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Psalm 81 Reflection and Question: This psalm is traditionally associated with the Jewish festival of the booths, a Fall harvest celebration where God’s covenant with […]

Truly This Man Was God’s Son

This meditation is based on a passage for July 28, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Matthew 27:45-54 Reflection and Question: This is the moment Jesus speaks His last words, a cry from the heart quoting Psalm 22:1, “My God, my […]

The Raising Up of Judges

This meditation is based on a passage for July 27, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Judges 2:1-5,11-23 Reflection and Question: The description of the Jews in Judges has long intrigued me because it corresponds with our situation in the church […]

All the Churches of Christ Greet You

This meditation is based on a passage for July 26, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Romans 16:1-16 Reflection and Question: The New Revised Standard Version mentions in its notes that Junia in verse 7 is changed in later manuscripts to […]

This People’s Heart Has Grown Dull

This meditation is based on a passage for July 25, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Acts 28:23-31 Reflection and Question: The quotation from Isaiah that Paul uses here in response to the mixed opinions of his message by the Jews […]

Jesus, Pilate and the Crowd

This meditation is based on a passage for July 24, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Matthew 27:11-23 Reflection and Question: I have always found Jesus’ response to Pilate’s question here completely mystifying. Pilate asks, “Are you the King of the […]