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.

Before We Loved You--May 17, 2016


Gracious God, you teach the way of wisdom
and lead in the paths of righteousness.
You sent John to prepare the way
for Jesus, who shows us the way.
When we long for you, remind us
that before we loved you,
you loved us.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 42; 146; 102; 133
Prov. 4:1-27
1 John 4:7-21
Matt. 11:7-15
       
Selected Verses
Ps. 42:1
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
          so my soul longs for you, O God. 

Prov. 4:11
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
            I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

1 John 4:19
We love because [God] first loved us.

Matt. 11:10
“…[John the Baptist] is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
       who will prepare your way before you.’ …”
[Jesus to the crowds]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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