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.

April 20, 2010

Bearing Fruit

I. Readings
Psalms 98, 146, 66, 116
Exodus 19:1-16
Colossians 1:1-14
Matthew 3:7-12

II. Selections
Psalm 116:1
I love the LORD, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.

Exodus 19:14
So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes.

Colossians 1:6b
Just as [the word of truth, the gospel] is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.

Matthew 3:8
“…Bear fruit worthy of repentance. … ” [John the Baptist to some Pharisees and Sadducees]

III. Meditation

Loving God, hear our voice; hear our supplications.
You sent Moses down the mountain to your people.
Consecrate your church, and we will wash our clothes.

We love you, O God. May we comprehend your grace,
that your church may bear fruit worthy of repentance,
that your gospel may bear fruit and grow everywhere.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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