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.


Three Wishes, and Four--May 26, 2012



I wish that being made well
were as simple as touching your cloak.

I wish that you could sprinkle water upon me
and cleanse me from all the idols I worship.

I wish that you would scatter all evildoers
and cause all that is evil within me to perish.

I wish that I could pray in the Spirit at all times
in every prayer and supplication.

If the last wish were to come true,
would the others also?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Ezk. 36:22-27
Eph. 6:1-24
Matt. 9:18-26

Selected Verses
Ps. 92:9
For your enemies, O LORD,
      for your enemies shall perish;
      all evildoers shall be scattered.

Ezek. 36:25
I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

Eph. 6:18a
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.

Matt. 9:20-21
Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind [Jesus] and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well."
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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