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.

In the Hope that Jesus Gives Us--May 20, 2021

 

I approach you, O God,

in the hope that Jesus gives us.

 

Cast away from me my transgressions

and give me a new heart and a new spirit.

 

You are Father of orphans and protector of widows;

forbid I should be so full of self righteousness 

that I fail to pity those who need my help.

 

And Lord, may I act accordingly,

lest I live a parched life.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 47; 147:12-20; 68; 113

Ezek. 18:1-4, 19-32

Heb. 7:18-28

Luke 10:25-37

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 68:5-6

Father of orphans and protector of widows
          is God in his holy habitation.
God gives the desolate a home to live in;
          he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
          but the rebellious live in a parched land.

 

Ezek. 18:31a

Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!  [The word of the LORD, received by Ezekiel]

 

Heb. 7:19b

…there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.

 

Luke 10:33

“…But a Samaritan while traveling came near [the man nearly killed by robbers]; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.  …”  [Jesus, to the lawyer who had tried to test him]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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