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.

April 02, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 32, 42, 84
Exodus 3:16-4:12
Romans 12:1-21
John 8:46-59

II. Selections
Psalm 84:10
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.

Exodus 4:12
" ...Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak." [ God to Moses]

Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

John 8:53
" ...Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?"

III. Meditation: Greater than Abraham?
Who do you claim to be, Jesus? ;
Greater than Abraham?
Than the prophets, too?
They all died, you know.

One day with you-
better than a thousand without you.
Life with you as a menial laborer-
better than living like a prince with the wicked.

Send me out, be with my mouth,
and teach me what to speak-
but always rejoicing in hope,
patient in suffering, persevering in prayer.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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