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.


The Most Important Knowledge--May 2, 2011


Most generous God, sometimes you give us
knowledge and skill—even wisdom; yet
in spite of all you have given, the truth
is not in us if we say we have no sin.

Therefore it is not to us that glory is due,
but only to your name. Help us know you,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you
have sent. No other knowledge is more important.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 97; 145; 124; 115
Dan. 1:1-21
1 John 1:1-10
John 17:1-11

Selected Verses
Ps. 115:1
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
     for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

Dan. 1:17
To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams.

1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

John 17:3
“…And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. …” [Jesus praying for his disciples]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)