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.

August 16, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123
2 Samuel 18:9-18
Acts 23:12-24
Mark 11:27-12:12

II. Selections
Ps. 123:4
Our soul has had more than its fill
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.

2 Sam. 18:14
Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you." He took three spears in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive in the oak.

Acts 23:12
In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

Mark 12:9
What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.

III. Meditation: A question for the owner of the vineyard
Proud men, men of action, men who always are sure what to do, men like Joab who hold in contempt those who urge caution or moderation-such men are admired as leaders. Such men have no time for the poor and oppressed and powerless. Our soul has had more than its fill of scorn from leaders such as these, ruthless leaders, fanatics ready to kill any who stand in the way of their ambition-of their burning desire to maintain control of a vineyard that does not belong to them. O God, you are the owner of the vineyard. What then will you do?

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)