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.


Times to Practice Waiting--March 20, 2012



We want to wait to draw up our feet into
the bed and die; there is so much
we have to say and do.

We wait for you to feed us as Jesus fed
the four thousand; to feed us and
then send us on our way.

Before we eat the bread, drink the cup,
we pause to examine ourselves,
praying for discernment.

We wait for you to lead us in your truth,
O God of our salvation--for this
we will wait all day long.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 34; 146; 25; 91
Gen. 49:29-50:14
1 Cor. 11:2-34
Mark 8:1-10

Selected Verses
Ps. 25:5
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
      for you are the God of my salvation;
      for you I wait all day long.

Gen. 49:33
When Jacob ended his charge to his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

1 Cor. 11:28-29
Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.

Mark 8:8-9
[The crowd] ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Now there were about four thousand people. And [Jesus] sent them away.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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