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.


Whether Innocent or Guilty--March 11, 2012



Benjamin, at least as far as the story tells,
was the only brother who was innocent,
yet also the one who was found guilty.

Innocent or guilty, if we are in Christ
there is no condemnation for us.

Lord, just as you have life in yourself
your Spirit of life has set us free
from the law of sin and death.

Happy is everyone
who trusts in you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 84; 150; 42; 32
Gen. 44:1-17
Rom. 8:1-10
John 5:25-29

Selected Verses
Ps. 84:12
O LORD of hosts,
      happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Gen. 44:17b
But [Joseph] said, "…Only the one in whose possession the cup was found shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father."

Rom. 8:1-2
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

John 5:26-27
For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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