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 Name of Christ, to Ask--April 28, 2022

[From May 1, 2014 archive]

 

God Most High, you are awesome. 

 

We did not choose you, but you chose us—

to live lightly on the good earth you gave us; 

to live as free people without using our freedom 

as a pretext for evil; and to go and bear fruit, 

fruit that lasts, asking in the name of Christ 

for what we need to live such a life. 

 

Lectionary Readings

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

Exod. 16:10-22

1 Peter 2:11-3:12

John 15:12-27

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 47:2 

For the LORD, the Most High, is awesome, 
          a great king over all the earth. 

 

Exod. 16:16 

“…This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.’”  [Moses to the Israelites, in the wilderness.] 

 

1 Peter 2:16 

As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 

 

John 15:16 

“…You did not choose me but I chose you.  And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.  …”  [Jesus. to his disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)