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.

In Darkness on Slippery Paths--March 16, 2013


Some walk in darkness
on slippery paths;

some walk with you for a while,
then become discouraged and turn back.

Our human will and exertion are not
equal to the task. By your mercy,

Jesus, send out your light
and truth to lead us
on your way.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 43; 149; 31; 143
Jer. 23:9-15
Rom. 9:1-18
John 6:60-71

Selected Verses

Ps. 43:3a
 O send out your light and your truth;
          let them lead me…

Jer. 23:12a
Therefore their way shall be to them
          like slippery paths in the darkness,
          into which they shall be driven and fall…

Rom. 9:16
So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

John 6:66
Because of this many of Jesus' disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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