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.

Stiff Necks--March 10, 2015

[From March 29, 2011 archive]

We do not want anyone--least of all you, O God--to
remember our transgressions, all the sins of our youth.

We are comfortable with snap judgments about others,
especially if we do not approve of their past behaviors.

So whether we review our own past or our neighbor’s,
our necks grow stiff from too much backward looking.

Make us look forward like Abraham, no wavering with
distrust, convinced you are able to do what you promise.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 34; 146; 25; 91
Jer. 7:21-34
Rom. 4:13-25
John 7:37-52

Selected Verses
Ps. 25:7
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
            according to your steadfast love remember me,
            for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!

Jer. 7:24-26a
Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but, in the stubbornness of their evil will, they walked in their own counsels, and looked backward rather than forward.  From the day that your ancestors came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day; yet they did not listen to me, or pay attention, but they stiffened their necks.

Rom. 4:20-21
No distrust made [Abraham] waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

John 7:50-51
Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?”
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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