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.

January 22, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123, 146
Genesis 9:1-17
Hebrews 5:7-14
John 3:16-21

II. Selections
Psalm 30:6
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I shall never be moved."

Genesis 9:2
" ...The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the air, on everything that creeps on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered. ... " [ God to Noah and his sons]

Hebrews 5:8
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered ...

John 3:17
" ...Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ... " [ Jesus to Nicodemus]

III. Meditation: In our hand, and in your hand

Take from us the hubris that makes us think we are
a strong mountain, and that we have no need of you.

If you have delivered all creatures into our hand,
surely it is so we may protect, not destroy them.

For we are like creatures in your hand; and you sent
us your Son, that we might be saved, not condemned.

As Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered,
in our pain and sorrow help us learn humbly to obey.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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