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.

Not a Half-Way God--Apr. 22, 2016


You are not a God of half-way measures,
nor do you call us to modest responses:
our song to you is to be a new song,
and all the earth should sing it;
the best of the first fruits
were to be sacrificed;
if one part of the body
causes us to sin, we cut
it off and throw it away;
we are to love one another
and you in an abounding love.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 96; 148; 49; 138
Exod. 34:18-35
1 Thess. 3:1-13
Matt. 5:27-37

Selected Verses
Ps. 96:1
O sing to the LORD a new song;
          sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Exod. 34:26a
The best of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God.

1 Thess. 3:12
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.

Matt. 5:30
“…And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.  …”  [Jesus to the crowds on the mountain]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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