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.

Near to the Brokenhearted--March 15, 2011


When Israel crossed over the Jordan,
when Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
God, those were decisive days;
you were leading the way.

Today we hear your voice—
forbid us to harden our hearts;
you are near to the brokenhearted;
O God, the crushed in spirit you save.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 34; 146; 25; 91
Deut. 9:1-12
Heb. 3:1-11
John 2:13-22

Selected Verses
Ps. 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,
      and saves the crushed in spirit.

Deut. 9:1a
Hear, O Israel! You are about to cross the Jordan today…

Heb. 3:7b-8
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
      as on the day of testing in the wilderness…”

John 2:13
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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