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.

November 24, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 9, 62, 73
Zechariah 10:1-12
Galatians 6:1-10
Luke 18:15-30

II. Selections
Psalm 73:2
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
my steps had nearly slipped.

Zechariah 10:12
I will make them strong in the LORD,
and they shall walk in his name,
says the LORD.

Galatians 6:8
If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

Luke 18:26-27
Those who heard [ what Jesus said] said, "Then who can be saved?" He replied, "What is impossible for mortals is possible for God."

III. Meditation: Stumbling feet

Our feet have almost stumbled,
our steps have nearly slipped,
we have sown to our own flesh,
and we despair of being saved.

But what is impossible for mortals
is possible for you. Therefore,
teach us to sow to your Spirit,
make us strong to walk in your name.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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