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 Be Wise--May 27, 2022

[From May 14, 2010 archive, 

adapted from my journal of June 2, 2000]

 

Gracious God,

 

I want to be like the truly wise man

who built his house on rock.

 

Even the wise die, just as do fools.

                                                   Still, you are the own who makes 

fools wise and wisdom folly.

 

You bring low and you exalt; 

you make poor and make rich.

 

My only hope for wisdom is 

to be what you intend me to be,

ready to do the good works 

for which you created me

through Christ Jesus.

  

Give me this wisdom.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 96; 148; 49; 138

1 Sam. 2:1-10

Eph. 2:1-10

Matt. 7:22-27

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 49:10

When we look at the wise, they die;

            fool and dolt perish together 

and leave their wealth to others.

 

1 Sam. 2:7

“…The LORD makes poor and makes rich;

            he brings low, he also exalts.  …  ”  [Hannah’s prayer]

 

Eph. 2:10

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

 

Matt. 7:24

“…Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  …  ”  [Jesus, to the crowds on the mountain]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

3 comments:

  1. Mea SententiaMay 27, 2022 at 6:21 PM

    This is lovely, thank you.
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elmer E. EwingMay 29, 2022 at 3:24 PM

      Thanks Chris for this and your previous comment. I've been in Oregon visiting family since May 19. On 22nd fell and broke hip. Surgery next day, discharged day later, flew home 27th. Doing fine, though. World is full of kind people.

      Delete
  2. Mea SententiaJune 1, 2022 at 6:35 PM

    Yes, the world is full of kind people. Prayers for a full recovery. 🙂

    ReplyDelete

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