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.

As Christ Commanded--May 15, 2022

[From May 29, 2018 archive]

 

In steadfast love, Lord Jesus, 

you brought good news to the poor; 

you remembered them in their low estate, 

proclaiming release to the captives, 

recovery of sight to the blind, 

freedom to the oppressed,

and the year of the 

Lord's favor. 

 

Surrounded by a great

cloud of witnesses, may we 

who would follow you lay aside

every weight and sin that clings

so closely, and persevere 

in doing as you have

commanded.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 93; 150; 136; 117

Lev. 8:1-13, 30-36

Heb. 12:1-14

Luke 4:16-30

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 136:23

It is [the LORD] who remembered us in our low estate, 
          for his steadfast love endures forever…

 

Lev. 8:4-5

And Moses did as the LORD commanded him.  When the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting, Moses said to the congregation, “This is what the LORD has commanded to be done.”

 

Heb. 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…

 

Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” [Jesus, in his hometown synagogue, reading from Isaiah]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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