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.

January 22, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 57, 85
Isaiah 48:1-11
Galatians 1:1-17
Mark 5:21-43

II. Selections
Psalm 85:6
Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you? ;

Isaiah 48:3
The former things I declared long ago,
they went out from my mouth and I made them known;
then suddenly I did them and they came to pass.

Galatians 1:14
I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.

Mark 5:22-23a
Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. ... "

III. Meditation: Zeal, but for the right cause

Long ago you declared your mighty acts, and made them known;
but your people were unprepared when suddenly they came to pass.

Again your people languish; revive us, that we may rejoice in you.

Make us zealous to be in your presence, as persistent as Jairus;
but guard our zeal, lest like Saul it be for traditions, not for your kingdom.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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