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.

Access to God and to Peace--Jan. 14, 2021

Compared to you what are we, O God?

We, who do not understand the past,

know nothing about the future.

All time is in your hands. 

 

We, who in our hearts raise doubts 

about you, are lighter than a

breath on the scales.

 

Yet through Christ in one Spirit

we have access to you,

and to peace.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 97; 147:12-20; 16; 62

Isa. 41:17-29

Eph. 2:11-22

Mark 2:1-12

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 62:9

Those of low estate are but a breath,
          those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
          they are together lighter than a breath.

 

Isa. 41:22b

Tell us the former things, what they are,
          so that we may consider them,
and that we may know their outcome;
          or declare to us the things to come.

[The LORD challenges false gods]

 

Eph. 2:17-18

So [Christ] came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 

 

Mark 2:8

At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that [doubters] were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?  …”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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