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.

Show Mercy, O God--Apr. 9, 2011


Why is my soul cast down and disquieted within me?
Is it because the course our society follows is often evil,
our reliance on military and economic might is not right?
Or rather because of my personal path, my prideful power?

I have tried to change society, and tried to change myself.
For either one, my exertions have been mainly in vain.
My hope must rest in you, for your Spirit gives life;
your words are spirit and life—my help, my God.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 43; 149; 31; 143
Jer. 23:9-15
Rom. 9:1-18
John 6:60-71

Selected Verses
Ps. 43:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
      and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
      my help and my God.

Jer. 23:10b
Their course has been evil,
      and their might is not right.

Rom. 9:16
So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

John 6:63
“…It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. …”
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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