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.

June 21, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 98, 104, 138
Numbers 13:31-14:25
Romans 3:9-20
Matthew 19:1-12

II. Selections
Psalm 98:5
Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.

Numbers 14:19
Forgive the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have pardoned this people, from Egypt even until now. [ From the prayer of Moses, when the LORD was ready to strike down the people of Israel]

Romans 3:9
What then? Are we any better off? No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin ...

Matthew 19:2
Large crowds followed [ Jesus], and he cured them all.

III. Meditation: Under the power

When large crowds followed you, you cured the sick.
Will you cure us from being under the power of sin?

In your steadfast love, forgive the iniquity of your people,
just as you have pardoned your people from Egypt until now;

and we will sing praises to you with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)