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 19, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 32, 42, 84
Genesis 44:1-17
Romans 8:1-10
John 5:25-29

II. Selections
Psalm 32:10
Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.

Genesis 44:1-16
And Judah said, "What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? How can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; here we are then, my lord's slaves, both we and also the one in whose possession the cup has been found."

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

John 5:26
" ...For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also life in himself ..."

III. Meditation: Steadfast love surrounds
You find out our guilt;
what can we say?
What can we speak?
How can we clear ourselves?

Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in you.

There is no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus;
just as you have life in yourself,
so you have granted the Son also life in himself.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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