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.


What You Expect--May 25, 2012



You have made clear enough what you expect of us, dear God
(at least we understand far more than we accomplish).

Help us remember the difference between acts of mercy
and rituals carried out just to demonstrate our piety.

We know that true sacrifice is what Christ offered,
and that to imitate him means living in love.

We know that only you can bring the day when
everyone, least to greatest, will know you.

And we trust that you have a purpose for us;
in your steadfast love, help us fulfill it.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 96; 148; 49; 138
Jer. 31:27-34
Eph. 5:1-32
Matt. 9:9-17

Selected Verses
Ps. 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
      your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
      Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Jer. 31:34
No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Eph. 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Matt. 9:13
"…Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." [Jesus to those who asked why he ate with sinners]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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