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.

September 03, 2005

I. Readings
Psalm 63, 90, 125
1 Kings 12:1-20
James 5:7-20
Mark 15:33-39

II. Selections
Psalm 125:5
But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways
the LORD will lead away with evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel

1 Kings 12:16
When all Israel saw that the king would not listen to them, the people answered the king, "What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David." So Israel went away to their tents.

James 5:19-20
My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Mark 15:33-34
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

III. Meditation: Escape from crooked ways
Gracious God, forgive us when we turn aside to our own crooked ways; do not lead us away with evildoers. When we wander from the truth, prompt a brother or sister to bring us back; and make us attentive to the prompting. In turn make us concerned to help others who wander from your ways, that your church may not-like the house of David-be fractured by a leader who will not listen and a people who look only to themselves. Even when darkness descended upon the land and evil prevailed, you did not forsake Jesus. Do not forsake us.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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