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 06, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 22, 105, 130
Genesis 22:1-14
1 Peter 1:10-20
John 13:36-38

II. Selections
Psalm 130:1
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.

Genesis 22:14
So Abraham called that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."

1 Peter 1:18-19
You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.

John 13:37
Peter said to [ Jesus], "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

III. Meditation: Without defect or blemish

Peter wanted to follow Jesus,
vowed that he would die for him.
We promise much to you and do little;
you promise and keep your promise.

When out of the depths we cry to you,
you provide what we need and more-
not silver or gold, but more precious,
more precious than the ram to Abraham.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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