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.

How to Predict--June 19, 2016


We know how to predict today's weather
and how to predict climate change.
Yet we seem unable to accept
the consequences of continual
transgression of the laws of physics
in terms of how our use of fossil fuels is
bringing disaster to the good earth you gave us.
You would feed us with the finest wheat and honey--
why should we put you and future generations to this test?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113
Num. 14:26-45
Acts 15:1-12
Luke 12:49-56
       
Selected Verses
Ps. 81:16
 "…I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
          and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
[God to Israel]

Num. 14:41
But Moses said [to the Israelites], "Why do you continue to transgress the command of the LORD?  That will not succeed.  …"

Acts 15:10
"…Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?  …"  [Peter to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem]

Luke 12:56
"…You hypocrites!  You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?  …"  [Jesus to the crowds]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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