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.

Our Empty Hands, God's Outstretched Hand--May 16, 2014


God of compassion, when we come before you
we have nothing of value in our hands--
empty-handed we come, for what
gift could we bring to you?
We come now asking you
to stretch out your hand to us;
deliver us from lust, for how else
can we abound in love for one another?

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

Selected Verses
Ps. 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
          you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
          and your right hand delivers me. 

Exod. 34:20c
No one shall appear before me empty-handed.

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. 5:28
"…But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  …"  [Jesus to the crowd on the mountain]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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