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.

What Are You Looking For?--March 8, 2019


[From March 11, 2011 archive, adapted from my Feb. 19, 1999 journal]

Jesus, you asked John’s disciples
what they were looking for.
What are you looking for in us?

Diligent observance
of God’s ordinances?
Zeal to do good deeds?
Or watchful waiting for you?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 22; 148; 105; 130
Deut. 7:12-16
Titus 2:1-15
John 1:35-42

Selected Verses
Ps. 130:6
…my soul waits for the Lord
            more than those who watch for the morning,
            more than those who watch for the morning.

Deut. 7:12
If you heed these ordinances, by diligently observing them, the LORD your God will maintain with you the covenant loyalty that he swore to your ancestors…

Titus 2:14
[Jesus Christ] it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

John 1:38a
When Jesus turned and saw [two of John’s disciples] following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?"

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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