Teaching About Enemies and Judgment

This meditation is based on a passage for October 2, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Luke 6:27-38 Reflection and Question: Jesus could not be clearer: “Love your enemies and judge not.” “Forgive.” “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” […]

God Put a New Song in My Mouth

This meditation is based on a passage for October 1, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Psalm 40 Reflection and Question: The first half of this psalm is all praise and thanksgiving for all the good and loving ways God has […]

Contention Gives Paul His Chance to Preach

This meditation is based on a passage for September 30, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Acts 21:27-36 Reflection and Question: Here is a stern warning against following other gods or accepting leaders who entice us to follow other gods. Duly […]

The Enactment of God’s Promise to Be a Faithful Husband

This meditation is based on a passage for September 29, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Hosea 3:1-5 Reflection and Question: his section completes the extended image of marriage in Hosea we began reviewing Sunday and yesterday. Just as marriage is […]

God Takes Israel as Wife

This meditation is based on a passage for September 28, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Hosea 2:16-23 Reflection and Question: This passage marks the beginning of a shift in the human sense of marriage. From an economic transaction in which […]

The Great Catch of Fish

This meditation is based on a passage for September 27, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Luke 5:1-11 Reflection and Question: When I was ordained in 1977, my local Pittsburgh region of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) claimed 144,000 members. Now we […]

Hosea’s Family Reflects God’s Directions to Him

This meditation is based on a passage for September 26, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Hosea 1:1-2:1 Reflection and Question: Amos and Hosea are the oldest prophetic books in the Old Testament. Hosea preached at the time Assyria defeated Jehu […]

Paul’s Movements in Macedonia

This meditation is based on a passage for September 25, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Acts 20:1-16 Reflection and Question: Writing these meditations for each day has made me very aware of how central the book of Acts is to […]

Deliver Me for the Sake of Your Steadfast Love

This meditation is based on a passage for September 24, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Psalm 6 Reflection and Question: Let’s take a moment to put ourselves in the shoes of the psalmist who says, “I am languishing, shaking with […]

Esther Convicts Haman and Then He Condemns Himself

This meditation is based on a passage for September 23, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Esther 7:1-10 Reflection and Question: Haman, the arrogant advisor to the king, is already falling from grace when he rushes off to Queen Esther’s banquet. […]