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.

Even a Cup of Cold Water--May 16, 2021

 

We praise you, Merciful and Faithful God;

great is your steadfast love toward us.

 

We confess we are a rebellious people,

often refusing to hear when you speak.

 

So remind us of your saving grace —

your gift to us — and make us grateful. 

 

And gratefully, as Jesus bade his disciples, 

may we offer the thirsty a cup of cold water.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 93; 150; 136; 117

Ezek. 3:16-27

Eph. 2:1-10

Matt. 10:24-33, 40-42

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 117:2

For great is his steadfast love toward us,
          and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!

 

Ezek. 3:27

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God”; let those who will hear, hear; and let those who refuse to hear, refuse; for they are a rebellious house.  [The LORD, to Ezekiel]

 

Eph. 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 

 

Matt. 10:42

“…and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”  [Jesus, to his twelve disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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