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 12, 2010

A Stone to Remember

I. Readings
Psalms 51, 148, 142, 65
Genesis 27:46-28:4, 10-22
Romans 13:1-14
John 8:33-47

II. Selections
Psalm 51:1
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.

Genesis 28:18
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

John 8:36
“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. … ” [Jesus to his critics]

III. Meditation

Lord Jesus, make me free;
and I will be free indeed.
According to your abundant
mercy and steadfast love,
have mercy on me.

Jacob set up a stone to remember
how he was blessed at Bethel.
May I need no stone to remember
your mercy and love; remembering,
let me live in love for others.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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