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.

As You Are Gracious and Merciful--Sept. 23, 2013


As you have been gracious and merciful to us,
O God, so you call us to show grace and mercy to others.

Teach us how to give without expecting a reward,
to bless when reviled, and to speak kindly when slandered.

Give us the strength to endure when persecuted--
even strength to seek reconciliation with our persecutors.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 57; 145; 85; 47
2 Kings 5:1-19
1 Cor. 4:8-21
Matt. 5:21-26

Selected Verses

Ps. 145:8
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
          slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

2 Kings 5:16
But [Elisha] said, "As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!"  [Naaman] urged him to accept, but he refused.

1 Cor. 4:12b-13a
When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we speak kindly.

Matt. 5:24
"…leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.  …"  [Jesus to the crowd on the mountain]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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