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.

Poor Souls who Cry to You--Mar. 24, 2015


Lord of all, poor souls we are, who cry to you
because we no longer hear the sound of mirth
and the sound of gladness.  Save us, we pray,
you who are generous to all who call on you.
Help us worship, Jesus, and obey your will.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 34; 146; 25; 91
Jer. 25:8-17
Rom. 10:1-13
John 9:18-41

Selected Verses
Ps. 34:6
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD,
          and was saved from every trouble. 

Jer. 25:10
And I will banish from them the sound of mirth and the sound of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.

Rom. 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 

John 9:31
"…We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will.  …"  [The man born blind to the critics of Jesus]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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