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.


When We Become Discouraged--March 27, 2012



Jesus, you set prisoners free
and open the eyes of the blind;
but when people are mistreated
we soon become discouraged--
why even bother to send us?

Make us your salty people,
that we may do all things
for building up, and that
we may live together
in your peace.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 34; 146; 25; 91
Exod. 5:1-6:1
1 Cor. 14:20-33a, 39-40
Mark 9:42-50

Selected Verses
Ps. 146:7c-8a
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
      the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.

Exod. 5:22
Then Moses turned again to the LORD and said, "O LORD, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? …"

1 Cor. 14:26c
Let all things be done for building up.

Mark 9:50b
"…Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." [Jesus to his disciples]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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