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 a Lily Among Brambles--June 15, 2017


Jesus, you lived a simple life,
and made the simple holy;  
the lily is more beautiful
 surrounded by brambles.
When we are brought low,
we discover your protection;
when we are at our weakest,
we find power in your grace.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 116; 147:12-20; 26; 130
Song Sol. 1:1-3, 9-11, 15-16a; 2:2-3a
2 Cor. 12:1-10
Luke 19:28-40

Selected Verses
Ps. 116:6
The LORD protects the simple;
          when I was brought low, he saved me. 

Song Sol. 2:2
As a lily among brambles,
          so is my love among maidens.

2 Cor. 12:9a
…but [the Lord] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." 

Luke 19:35
Then [two disciples] brought [the colt] to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)