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 29, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 27, 51
Genesis 50:15-26
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Mark 8:11-26

II. Selections
Psalm 51:1
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.

Genesis 50:19
But Joseph said [ to his brothers], "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? ... "

1 Corinthians 12:7
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Mark 8:11
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him.

III. Meditation: For the common good
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.

Blot out my unwarranted fear,
and my desire to play your role.
Forgive my persistent call
for new evidence of your presence.

Open my eyes to the manifestation of your Spirit
ever present around me,
in my life, and in the lives of others,
working for the common good.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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