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.

March 04, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 31, 43, 143
Ezekiel 39:21-29
Philippians 4:10-20
John 17:20-26

II. Selections
Psalm 31:12
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.

Ezekiel 39:24
I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions, and hid my face from them.

Philippians 4:10
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.

John 17:25
" ...Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. ..."

III. Meditation: Revive our concern
Righteous God, the world does not know you
or Jesus whom you have sent.
We claim to know you and to know Jesus,
yet many have passed out of our minds like ones who are dead.
They have become to us like broken vessels.

Revive our concern for them
And help us find opportunity to show it.
Do not deal with us according to our uncleanness and our transgressions;
do not hide your face from us;
and forbid that we should hide our face from those in need.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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