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 Soar Like the Eagle--Sept. 6, 2020

 

Holy One, Our Redeemer,


we are not sure we want our deeds to follow us.

We are salt that has lost its taste, restore us.

How can we be righteous before you?


Crown us with your steadfast love,

and redeem our life from the pit.

Renew us to soar like the eagle.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139

Job 25:1-6, Job 27:1-6

Rev. 14:1-7, 13

Matt. 5:13-20

 

Selected Verses

Ps. 103:4-5

[Bless the LORD]…who redeems your life from the Pit,
          who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
          so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 

Job 25:4

“…How then can a mortal be righteous before God?
          How can one born of woman be pure?  …”  [Bildad, to Job]

 

Rev. 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them."

 

Matt. 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.  …”  [Jesus, to the crowds on the mountain]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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