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.

May 17, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 68, 113, 147:12-20
Ezekiel 1:1-14, 24-28b
Hebrews 2:5-18
Matthew 28:16-20

II. Selections
Psalm 147:19
He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and ordinances to Israel.

Ezekiel 1:12
Each [ living creature] moved straight ahead; wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went.

Hebrews 2:10
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and said to [ the eleven disciples], "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ... "

III. Meditation: All authority

Creator God, for whom and through whom all things exist:
You have declared your word to your people,
your living Word, pioneer of our salvation.

You have given him all authority in heaven and on earth-
through suffering you have made him perfect-
many are the ones he has brought to glory.

He moves straight ahead, without turning as he goes,
like the living creatures of Ezekiel's vision;
teach us, then, to follow where he leads.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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