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.


Assumption of Guilt by the Innocent--July 16, 2011

Though he might have claimed innocence,
David shouldered responsibility
for Saul's slaughter of priests.

Much more remarkably, Paul proclaimed
forgiveness of sin through Jesus,
although he was innocent;

for Jesus entered the strong man's house
and tied up the strong man
to let us go free.

You have taken pleasure in your people
and adorned the humble
with victory.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 104; 149; 138; 98
1 Sam. 22:1-23
Acts 13:26-43
Mark 3:19b-35

Selected Verses
Ps. 149:4
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
      he adorns the humble with victory.

1 Sam. 22:22
David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am responsible for the lives of all your father’s house. …”

Acts 13:38
“…Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you…” [Paul preaching in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia]

Mark 3:27
“…But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. …” [Jesus to the scribes who accused him having Beelzebul]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)