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 Keys of Death and of Hades--Oct. 24, 2011



Let me do your will, Lord Jesus,
that I may be your brother.

Yet forbid that I should seek
great things for myself;

but let my mouth speak your praise,
for you are the first and the last,

the living one, alive forever and ever;
you have the keys of death and of hades.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 62; 145; 73; 9
Jer. 45:1-5
Rev. 1:4-20
Matt. 12:43-50

Selected Verses
Ps. 145:21
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
      and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

Jer. 45:5
"…And you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for I am going to bring disaster upon all flesh, says the LORD; but I will give you your life as a prize of war in every place to which you may go." [The LORD, through Jeremiah, speaking to Baruch]

Rev. 1:17-18
When I saw him [one like the Son of Man], I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. …"

Matt. 12:50
"…For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. …" [Jesus to the one who had told him his mother and brothers were outside]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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