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 Be One in Christ--Feb. 2, 2019


Lord Jesus Christ,
our souls cling to you,
and in you we are all one;
your right hand upholds us.

If we pursue righteousness,
then we must look to you
to cleanse our heart.
We ask it, Jesus.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63
Isa. 51:1-8
Gal. 3:23-29
Mark 7:1-23

Selected Verses
Ps. 63:8
My soul clings to you;
          your right hand upholds me.

Isa. 51:1
Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
          you that seek the LORD.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
          and to the quarry from which you were dug. 

Gal. 3:28-29
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.  And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Mark 7:21-22
For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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