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.


Even Though--Sept. 27, 2011

Even though we are evil,
we give good gifts to our children…
sometimes, at least.

You are a righteous judge,
and we every day cause your indignation.
How can we not be anxious?

Yet when we return to you,
you are gracious and merciful.

You do not turn your face from us,
but give good things to those who ask you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 12; 146; 36; 7
2 Chron. 29:1-3, 30:1-27
1 Cor. 7:32-40
Matt. 7:1-12

Selected Verses
Ps. 7:11
God is a righteous judge,
      and a God who has indignation every day.

2 Chron. 30:9b
"…For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him."

1 Cor. 7:32a
I want you to be free from anxieties.

Matt. 7:11
"…If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! …"
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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