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.

If We Wish to be Perfect…--Nov. 26, 2019


Jesus, the poor are despoiled,
and the needy groan over the yokes
they bear, over the bonds that bind them.

Purify our souls, fill us with mutual love,
to love one another deeply from the heart.

Perhaps then we will be able use our treasure
to provide the poor the safety for which they long.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 12, 146, 36, 7
Nahum 1:1-13
1 Peter 1:13-25
Matt. 19:13-22

Selected Verses
Ps. 12:5
“Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,
          I will now rise up,” says the LORD;
          “I will place them in the safety for which they long.”

Nahum 1:13
“…And now I will break off his yoke from you
          and snap the bonds that bind you.”
[Thus says the LORD]

1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 

Matt. 19:21
Jesus said to [the young man], “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

2 comments:

  1. JoMaeNovember 26, 2019 at 1:33 PM

    Greetings. Just stopping by to say thanks for posting these Daily Meditations. As I count blessings this Thanksgiving, I’m inclined to add my voice to others who appreciate your work. I like the meaning found here - and especially the form. It’s nice to be able to open the page each morning and find words to launch my own moments of study. So, a big Thank You from a regular reader. -JoMae Spoelhof

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  2. Elmer E. EwingNovember 26, 2019 at 4:06 PM

    Thank you JoMae, for taking the time to comment and for the kind things you said.

    ReplyDelete

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