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.

July 22, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 32, 130, 139
1 Samuel 31:1-13
Acts 15:12-21
Mark 5:21-43

II. Selections
Ps. 130:8
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

1 Sam. 31:6
So Saul and is three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together on the same day.

Acts 15:21
For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues. [ James]

Mark 5:26
She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse.

III. Meditation: And yet we are no better
We have endured much and spent much and yet are no better, but rather we grow worse. We experience death and destruction of those who are important to us, even though the scriptures have been read and proclaimed each Sunday for generations. Who will save us? It is you who are our redeemer.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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