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 20, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 56, 111, 118
2 Samuel 23:1-7, 13-17
Acts 25:13-27
Mark 13:1-13

II. Selections
Ps. 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

2 Sam. 23:15
David said longingly, "O that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!"

Acts 25:23
So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then Festus gave the order and Paul was brought in.

Mark 13:4
"Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?" [ Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask Jesus]

III. Meditation: Now
Teach us to live in the now and to rejoice in what you have provided us. King Agrippa and his wife were treated with royal pomp but did not know the peace and contentment of the shackled prisoner led in before them. David longed for a drink of water from his past glory and put his soldiers at risk. The disciples wanted a forecast of future perils. This is the day that you have made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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