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.

What the Locusts Will Eat--Nov. 6, 2016

[From Nov. 9, 2014 archive]

What the cutting locust of envy leaves,
the swarming locust of spiritual pride will eat.

What the swarming locust of spiritual pride leaves,
the hopping locust of mistrust of God will eat.

What the hopping locust of mistrust of God leaves,
the destroying locust of self deception will eat.

God have mercy!

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113
Joel 1:1-13
1 Cor. 14:1-12
Matt. 20:1-16

Selected Verses
Ps. 19:12
But who can detect their errors?
          Clear me from hidden faults.

Joel 1:4
What the cutting locust left,
            the swarming locust has eaten.
What the swarming locust left,
            the hopping locust has eaten,
and what the hopping locust left,
            the destroying locust has eaten.

1 Cor. 14:12
So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.

Matt. 20:15
"'…Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?  Or are you envious because I am generous?'  …"  [The landowner to a complaining laborer in Jesus' parable of The Laborers in the Vineyard]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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