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 29, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 102, 126
Jeremiah 26:1-24
Romans 11:1-12
John 10:19-42

II. Selections
Psalm 27:4
One thing I asked of the LORD,
that I will seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.

Jeremiah 26:12
Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, "It is the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. ... "

Romans 11:5
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

John 10:32
Jesus replied, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?"

III. Meditation: Teach us

Teach us what to seek after;
teach us to behold your beauty;
teach us to inquire after your will.

Teach us to hear the prophet
who is speaking your word,
even if it offends us to hear.

Remind us of your good works;
make us part of your remnant-
people, chosen by your grace.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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