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.

April 02, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 6, 119:73-80, 121
Jeremiah 11:18-20; 12:1-17
Philippians 3:1-14
John 12:9-19

II. Selections
Psalm 119:73
Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Jeremiah 12:2c
...you are near in their mouths
yet far from their hearts.

Philippians 3:1a
Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.

John 12:14-15
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:
"Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!"

III. Meditation: Your hands have made us

God, your hands have
made us, fashioned us;
teach us to understand
your commandments.

We rejoice in you-
forgive us that you are
near in our mouths
yet far from our hearts.

Take away our fear,
for you are coming,
our King, mounted
on a donkey's colt.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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