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 30, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 97, 115, 124
Jeremiah 30:1-9
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 6:1-11

II. Selections
Psalm 97:11
Light dawns for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.

Jeremiah 30:8
On that day, says the LORD of hosts, I will break the yoke from off his neck, and I will burst his bonds, and strangers shall no more make a servant of him.

Colossians 1:11-12
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Luke 6:8-9
Even though [ Jesus] knew what [ the watching scribes and Pharisees] were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come and stand here." He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?"

III. Meditation: Light and joy

When you break the yoke from the necks of the oppressed,
when you burst their bonds, and when forced servitude is over,
then will light dawn for the righteous, joy for the upright in heart.

Lord Jesus, you knew what was good, the importance of saving life;
make us strong with the strength that comes from your glorious power;
prepare us to endure with patience, with joyful thanks for our inheritance.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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