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.

To Restore Our Souls--May 21, 2022

[From April 30, 2016 archive]

 

Sometimes you lead us on a hard road; 

may we never weary of doing what is right, 

but show us how to benefit from sabbath rest, 

when you lead us beside still waters and 

make us lie down in green pastures 

and restore our souls. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114

Lev. 23:23-44

2 Thess. 3:1-18

Matt. 7:13-21

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 23:2-3a 

[The LORD] makes me lie down in green pastures; 
he leads me beside still waters; 

he restores my soul. 

 

Lev. 23:23 

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:  Speak to the people of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of complete rest, a holy convocation commemorated with trumpet blasts. 

 

2 Thess. 3:13 

Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

 

Matt. 7:14 

“…For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.  …”  [Jesus to the crowds on the mountain]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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