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.

Jesus--Authority with Simplicity--May 7, 2019


King of Heaven,
all your works are true
and your ways are justice.
You protect the simple;
if we walk with pride,
you bring us low.

But to lift us up,
you gave us Jesus,
who spoke with authority,
though his words were simple.

He taught that we must love
one another, because love is from you.
Everyone who loves is born of you,
and knows you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116
Dan. 4:28-37
1 John 4:7-21
Luke 4:31-37

Selected Verses
Ps. 116:6
The LORD protects the simple;
          when I was brought low, he saved me. 

Dan. 4: 37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,
     for all his works are truth,
          and his ways are justice;
     and he is able to bring low
          those who walk in pride.

1 John 4:7-21
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Luke 4:32
[The people in the Capernaum synagogue] were astounded at [Jesus'] teaching, because he spoke with authority. 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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