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.


Like a Trickle of Water--Dec. 3, 2011



I wonder how the Pharisees could know so
much about Jesus, yet fail to know him at all.
Then I realize I am in danger of the same fault.

I know your call for justice and righteousness
(they should roll down like a mighty stream),
but my efforts to deliver the poor and needy
and help the helpless are more like a trickle.

Build me up with faith in you,
prayer in your Holy Spirit,
reliance on your mercy,
and life in your love
revealed in Christ.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 90; 149; 80; 72
Amos 5:18-27
Jude 17-25
Matt. 22:15-22

Selected Verses
Ps. 72:12
For he delivers the needy when they call,
      the poor and those who have no helper.

Amos 5:24
But let justice roll down like waters,
      and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Jude 20
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Matt. 22:16
So [the Pharisees] sent their disciples to [Jesus], along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. …"
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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