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.

The Light of Life--Aug. 29, 2020

 

God, you have fashioned us like clay,

and we will turn to dust again,

but not only is your steadfast love

better than life, in that love

you have given us the light of life.

 

In Christ, we will never

walk in darkness,

and the light is

for all the world.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63

Job 9:1, 10:1-9, 16-22

Acts 11:1-18

John 8:12-20

 

Selected Verses

Ps. 63:3

Because your steadfast love is better than life,
          my lips will praise you.

 

Job 10:2a, 9

“…I will say to God…Remember that you fashioned me like clay; and will you turn me to dust again?  …” [Job, to his friends]

 

Acts 11:18

When [Peter’s critics] heard [his story], they were silenced.  And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

 

John 8:12-20

Again Jesus spoke to [his critics in the temple treasury, saying, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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