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.

May 21, 2010


Sleep Walking

I. Readings
Psalms 96, 148, 49, 138
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Ephesians 5:1-32
Matthew 9:9-17

II. Selections
Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.

Jeremiah 31:33
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Ephesians 5:14
…for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Matthew 9:13
“…Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” [Jesus to the Pharisees]

III. Meditation

Dear God, surely I am walking in my sleep
when it comes to living a life of discipleship.

I walk in the midst of trouble, most of my own making.
Stretch out your hand, O God; deliver me from myself.

Put your law of love and mercy within me; write it on my heart.
Shine upon me, Christ, that I may rise from death and live for you.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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