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.


Roundabout or Not--April 14, 2012



At times you lead us on roundabout ways, God;
nevertheless, you lead us; and we rejoice.

You have made us glad by your work;
at the works of your hands we sing for joy.

We thank you for our inner renewal, day by day,
even if our external form is wasting away.

Help us know you through scripture,
and help us know your power,
and we will not lose heart.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Exod. 13:17-14:4
2 Cor. 4:16-5:10
Mark 12:18-27

Selected Verses
Ps. 92:4
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
      at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Exod. 13:18a
So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.

2 Cor. 4:16
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

Mark 12:24
Jesus said to [the Sadducees], "Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? …"
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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