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 23, 2010

Stumbling Blocks

I. Readings
Psalms 34, 146, 25, 91
Exodus 5:1-6:1
1 Corinthians 14:20-33a, 39-40
Mark 9:42-50

II. Selections
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.

Exodus 5:22-23
Then Moses turned again to the LORD and said, “O LORD, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people.”

1 Corinthians 14:39-40
So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; but all things should be done decently and in order.

Mark 9:42
“…If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. … ” [Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation

God, I know you are near the brokenhearted;
I believe that you save the crushed in spirit.
I believe this, but I sympathize with Moses:
why have you done nothing to deliver them?

You don’t want us to put a stumbling block
in the way of salvation; but then why don’t
you remove the stumbling blocks of hunger
and disease, of poverty and war? Why, God?

It is all very well to tell us to act decently and
in order, but must your actions be so deliberate?
Or are you waiting for us? Even for me? Then
after all, am I the one leaving stumbling blocks?
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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