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.

February 08, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 22, 105, 130
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Philippians 4:1-9
John 17:9-19

II. Selections
Psalms 105:43
So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.

Ezekiel 18:31a
Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 17:11
" ...And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. ... " [ Jesus praying for his disciples]

III. Meditation: With joy and singing

From slavery you have brought
your people out of Egypt with joy,
your chosen ones out with singing.

Now bring us out from the slavery
of sin, cast away our transgressions,
and give us a new heart and a new spirit.

With your peace, that passes all understanding,
guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
In your name protect us, that we may be one.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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