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.

The Mystery of Our Faith in You--Feb. 15, 2017


In the midst of your temple, Lord,
we ponder your steadfast love
and the mystery of our faith in you. 
Was it all a gift from heaven,
or was it merely of human origin?

Let us not, with hardened hearts,
stray from your ways, O God.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 15; 147:1-11; 48; 4
Isa. 63:15-64:9
1 Tim. 3:1-16
Mark 11:27-12:12

Selected Verses
Ps. 48:9
We ponder your steadfast love, O God,
          in the midst of your temple. 

Isa. 63:17a
Why, O LORD, do you make us stray from your ways
          and harden our heart, so that we do not fear you?

1 Tim. 3:9
"…[deacons] must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Mark 11:30
"…Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?  Answer me."  [Jesus to the chief priests, scribes, and elders in the temple]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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