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 25, 2010

Great Things

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 147:12-20, 126, 102
Exodus 7:25-8:19
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Mark 10:17-31

II. Selections
Psalm 126:3
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.

Exodus 8:15
But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Mark 10:21-22
Jesus, looking at [the man who asked him what he should do to inherit eternal life] loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

III. Meditation

God of compassion, you have done great things for us.
You have looked upon us, loved us, called us to follow you.

Sometimes we respond like Pharaoh,
who hardened his heart and would not listen.

Sometimes because of our great possessions
we are shocked and go away grieving.

But sometimes we see your glory—if only dimly—
and find ourselves being transformed by your Spirit.

You have done great things for us;
help us, dear God, to rejoice in you.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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