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.

To Go or to Remain Behind?--Feb. 4, 2018


You know how we were made, Jesus;
you remember that we are dust;
can you cleanse us, can you make us
ready for every good work?

You give us a choice, to follow you,
or to remain behind. To go
is costly, but you have called us--
can we be apart from you?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139
Gen. 24:50-67
2 Tim. 2:14-21
Mark 10:13-22

Selected Verses
Ps. 103:14
For [the LORD] knows how we were made;
          he remembers that we are dust.

Gen. 24:58
And they called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will." 

2 Tim. 2:21
All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.
Mark 10:21-22
Jesus, looking at [the man who had asked him what he must do to inherit eternal life], loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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