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.

More Joy than for the Ninety-nine--Nov. 14, 2018


"King of kings and Lord of lords,"
is inscribed upon your robe,
yet you are not like an earthly king.
You heal the brokenhearted;
you pause to bind up their wounds.
A single sinner who repents,
one who returns to you heart rent,
brings more heavenly joy than
ninety-nine who need no repentance.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 15; 147:1-11; 48; 4
Joel 2:12-19
Rev. 19:11-21
Luke 15:1-10

Selected Verses
Ps. 147:3
[The LORD] heals the brokenhearted,
          and binds up their wounds.

Joel 2:12-13a
Yet even now, says the LORD,
     return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
     rend your hearts and not your clothing. 

Rev. 19:16
On [the robe of the white horse's rider] and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, "King of kings and Lord of lords."

Luke 15:7
"…Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.  …"  [Jesus, to the grumbling Pharisees and scribes]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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