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.

An Appeal for Mercy--Nov. 15, 2015


At times we are compelled--under
threat of fines, loss of position, imprisonment,
exile, or even death--to yield to earthly authority.
If we do not obey, we must give an accounting
for what we have done and appeal for mercy.
O Lord God, holiness befits your house.
Your law is different from the laws
of earthly authorities.  Your
decrees are very sure,
though you do not
force us to obey.
Yet some day
may there not
be an accounting?
We appeal for mercy!

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93
Ezra 7:1-26
Acts 28:14b-23
Luke 16:1-13

Selected Verses
Ps. 93:5
Your decrees are very sure;
          holiness befits your house,
          O LORD, forevermore.

Ezra 7:26
"…All who will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on them, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of their goods or for imprisonment.”  [The letter from King Artaxerxes of Persia to Ezra]

Acts 28:18-19
"…When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.  But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor--even though I had no charge to bring against my nation.  …"  [Paul to the Jewish leaders in Rome]

Luke 16:2
"…So [the rich man] summoned [his manager] and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you?  Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ …"  [Jesus' parable about the dishonest manager]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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