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 14, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 27, 51
Jeremiah 8:4-7, 18-9:6
Romans 5:1-11
John 8:12-20

II. Selections
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Jeremiah 9:6
Oppression upon oppression, deceit upon deceit!
They refuse to know me, says the LORD.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ...

John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

III. Meditation: Salvation joy

In a world of oppression and deceit-
a world that refuses to know you-
too much we walk in darkness
and ignore the light of life.

Restore to us your salvation joy,
sustain in us a willing spirit,
and give us peace through
our Lord Jesus Christ.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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