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.

March 13, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 102, 126
Exodus 7:25-8:19
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Mark 10:17-31

II. Selections
Psalm 102:19b-20
...from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die ...

Exodus 8:15
But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and would not listen to [ Moses and Aaron], just as the LORD had said.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Mark 10:28
Peter began to say to [ Jesus], "Look, we have left everything and followed you."

III. Meditation: Look from heaven at the earth

Give us your Spirit and the freedom that goes with it,
the freedom to leave everything and to follow you.

We are prisoners-hear our groans;
we are doomed to die, set us free.

And when we enjoy a respite,
do not let our hearts harden.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)