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 16, 2010

Last Words

I. Readings
Psalms 34, 146, 25, 91
Genesis 49:29-50:14
1 Corinthians 11:2-34
Mark 8:1-10

II. Selections
Psalm 146:2
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

Genesis 49:33
When Jacob ended his charge to his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Mark 8:4
[Jesus’] disciples replied, “How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?”

III. Meditation

Jacob instructed his sons;
then he drew up his feet,
breathed his last, and died.

If such a precious moment should come to us,
what advice might we give to our children?
That they should praise you as long as they live?

Or that Christ can feed them in the desert,
and that as they partake, they will proclaim
his death for them and your love for all?

Yes, and yes.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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