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.

May 12, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 49, 96, 138
Exodus 34:18-35
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Matthew 5:27-37

II. Selections
Psalm 138:6
For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.

Exodus 34:20c
No one shall appear before me empty-handed.

1 Thessalonians 3:6a
But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love.

Matthew 5:30
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

III. Meditation: To appear before you
Most High God,
how shall we appear before you?
Lowly, not haughty.
Neither guilty-handed
nor empty-handed,
but bearing faith and love.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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