God’s Commandment and Human Tradition

This meditation is based on a passage for March 13, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Mark 7:1-23 Reflection and Question: When Jesus chastises the Jewish leaders, saying, “You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition,” He is […]

Joseph Manages All Things

This meditation is based on a passage for March 12, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Genesis 47:1-26 Reflection and Question: The story of Joseph is winding down now and two things in this passage intrigue me. First, Joseph introduces Jacob, […]

May Those Who Sow in Tears Reap With Shouts of Joy

This meditation is based on a passage for March 11, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Psalm 126 Reflection and Question: Scholars agree that this psalm was first sung about 700 BC when the Jews in Babylon traveled to Jerusalem, back […]

The Problem Posed by Food Offered to Idols

This meditation is based on a passage for March 10, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Reflection and Question: I learned recently of a sobering application of Paul’s counsel to refrain from eating meat offered to idols if […]

Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers

This meditation is based on a passage for March 9, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Genesis 45:1-15 Reflection and Question: We dip into the story of Joseph for a third time. Now his brothers have returned to Egypt, this time […]

Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman with the Flow of Blood

This meditation is based on a passage for March 8, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Mark 5:21-43 Reflection and Question: Two unnamed women are healed here, the daughter of a leader of the synagogue and the woman who touches the […]

The Spirit and the Flesh

This meditation is based on a passage for March 7, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Romans 8:1-10 Reflection and Question: Here is one of those places where Paul struggles to explain how we live after accepting Christ as Lord. He […]

In Whatever Condition You Were Called, Remain

This meditation is based on a passage for March 6, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: 1 Corinthians 7:10-24 Reflection and Question: As Paul addresses one by one the situations causing conflict in the Corinthian church, among the Apostle’s persistent themes […]

My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?

This meditation is based on a passage for March 5, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Psalm 22 Reflection and Question: According to Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, this heart-wrenching question came to Jesus’ lips as He hung on the cross. […]

Glorifying God in the Body

This meditation is based on a passage for March 4, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Reflection and Question: “Fornication” is one of those old words, like “abomination,” that is thrown around as an insult toward GLBT people. […]