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.


Yes or No--May 4, 2012



It is enough to say yes when we should say yes,
likewise to say no when we should say no;
but teach us when to say yes or no.

O God, may we always say yes to what makes us
abound in love for one another, and for all,
low and high, rich and poor together.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 96; 148; 49; 138
Exod. 34:18-35
1 Thess. 3:1-13
Matt. 5:27-37

Selected Verses
Ps. 49:2
…both low and high,
      rich and poor together.

Exod. 34:33a
When Moses had finished speaking with [all the Israelites], he put a veil on his face…

1 Thess. 3:12
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.

Matt. 5:37
"…Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than that comes from the evil one. …" [Jesus on the mountain, to his disciples and the crowds]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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