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.

June 30, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 32, 130, 139
Numbers 20:1-13
Romans 5:12-21
Matthew 20:29-34

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

Numbers 20:13
These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and by which he showed his holiness.

Romans 5:17
If, because of one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 20:34
Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.

III. Meditation: The dominion of sin, the dominion of life

We quarrel with you,
and you show your holiness.
Wickedness brings torment;
trust in you brings awareness of your steadfast love all around.

Trespass brings the dominion of sin;
abundant grace and righteousness,
freely given through Christ,
bring the dominion of life.

In your compassion
touch our eyes,
that we may regain our sight
and follow you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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