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 13, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 49, 96, 148
Daniel 12:1-4, 13
Acts 4:1-12
John 16:1-15

II. Selections
Psalm 49:12
Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;
they are like the animals that perish.

Daniel 12:13
" ...But you, go your way, and rest; you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days." [ One in human form, dressed in linen, to Daniel]

Acts 4:1-2
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead.

John 16:13
" ...When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ... " [ Jesus at table with his disciples the night he was betrayed]

III. Meditation: Things that are to come

The pomp with which we surround ourselves
will not save us from perishing-that is clear.

In Jesus there is resurrection-that we believe;
between these two poles lies much unknown.

May your Spirit of truth guide us into truth,
as we go our way, leaving the details to you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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