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 19, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 92, 114, 149
Ezekiel 3:4-17
Hebrews 5:7-14
Luke 9:37-50

II. Selections
Psalm 149:2
Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Israel rejoice in their King.

Ezekiel 3:7
But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me; because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.

Hebrews 5:11
About this we have much that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding.

Luke 9:45
But [ Jesus' disciples] did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

III. Meditation: Hard forehead, stubborn heart

How can we be glad in you, our Maker?
We do not listen to you or to those you send-
we have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.

The meaning of your teaching is hidden from us;
we cannot perceive it; we are dull in understanding.
Then how can we rejoice in you, our King? ;

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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