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.

Looking for Happiness--Jan. 12, 2022

[Adapted from Jan. 11, 2006 archive]

 

Jesus asks what we are looking for.

We are looking for happiness— 

but we have not found it.

 

Not by following the voice of the wicked,

nor on the path that sinners tread,

nor in the seat of the scoffers.

 

Instead we find sin lurking at the door.

Its desire is for us, and we are

not able to master it. 

 

So we are looking for you, Lord Jesus.

You, too, were tested, and you are

able to help those being tested.

Help us, we pray you.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33

Gen. 4:1-16

Heb. 2:11-18

John 1:29-42

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 1:1

Happy are those 

          who do not follow the advice of the wicked, 

or take the path that sinners tread, 

          or sit in the seat of scoffers…

 

Gen. 4:7b

“…And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”  [The LORD to Cain]

 

Heb. 2:18

Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

 

John 1:38a

When Jesus turned and saw [two of John’s disciples] following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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