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.

September 15, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 36, 80
1 Kings 22:29-45
1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15
Matthew 5:1-10

II. Selections
Ps. 80:3-4
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O LORD God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?

1 Kings 22:36
Then about sunset a shout went through the army, "Every man to his city, and every man to his country!"

1 Cor. 3:6
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

Matt. 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.


III. Meditation: Blessed peacemakers
We wonder why you are angry with our prayers, and what would make your face shine on us, that we might be saved. Could the cause of your anger be our desire at sunset to retreat to our own places, our sole concern being our own safety? Jesus blessed the peacemakers, calling them your children. Is not the peace you choose a peace for all nations? It is not within our individual power to bring world peace; but we can plant seeds, and others can water the plants that grow from them. And we can pray that you will make peace grow.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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