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 21, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 25, 34, 91, 146
Genesis 45:1-15
1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Mark 6:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

Genesis 45:1-15
And [ Joseph] kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and after that his brothers talked with him.

1 Corinthians 7:35
I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.

Mark 6:6
And he was amazed at their unbelief.

III. Meditation: Amazing unbelief or unhindered devotion
Our unbelief is amazing.
How much more you could do through us
if only we did not so often dismiss you,
if only our lives were more ordered in your way,
if only our devotion to you were unhindered!

Strengthen our love for you,
that we may depart from evil,
and do good;
that we may seek peace,
and pursue it.

As Joseph forgave his brothers
and wept to be reunited with them,
teach us to be forgiving
and accepting to the ones
who have maltreated us.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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