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 Better Know You, Jesus--May 1, 2019



The world does not know you, Jesus,
but help me to know you better,
so that I may let others know
both you and the Father. 

The thoughts of my mind
are on the things of the world--
desire of the flesh, desire of the eyes,
pride in riches--all come from the world.

Replace my thoughts with trust in you;
Lord Jesus, you do not forsake
those who seek you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 99; 147:1-11; 9; 118
Dan. 2:17-30
1 John 2:12-17
John 17:20-26

Selected Verses
Ps. 9:10
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
          for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Dan. 2:30
"…But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me because of any wisdom that I have more than any other living being, but in order that the interpretation may be known to the king and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind."  [Daniel to the king]

1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world--the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches--comes not from the Father but from the world. 

John 17:25-26
"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me.  I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."  [Jesus, praying for his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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