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 24, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 68, 113
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32
Hebrews 7:18-28
Luke 10:25-37

II. Selections
Psalm 113:7-8
He raises the poor from the dust,
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.

Ezekiel 18:32
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.

Hebrews 7:26
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Luke 10:37
[ The lawyer] said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

III. Meditation: Go and do likewise

We read that Jesus was holy,
blameless, and undefiled-
most assuredly we are not.

You raise the poor from the dust,
the needy from the ash heap,
and make them sit with princes.

You have no pleasure in the death
of anyone; "Turn and live," you say,
for surely you are a God of mercy.

If we worship a God of mercy,
shall we not then show mercy?
God, help us "go and do likewise."

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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