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.

A Level Path for Justice--Oct. 24, 2019


Teach me to do your will, O my God,
let your Spirit stir up my spirit
and lead me on a level path,
that I may spend my time—
if consistent with your will—
 calling for and working for justice.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116
Ezra 1:1-11
1 Cor. 16:1-9
Matt. 12:15-21

Selected Verses
Ps. 143:10
Teach me to do your will,
          for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
          on a level path.

Ezra 1:1
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom, and also in a written edict declared…

1 Cor. 16:7
I do not want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Matt. 12:18b
 “…I will put my Spirit upon him,
          and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.  …”  [The Gospel writer quotes Isaiah]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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