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 17, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 56, 111, 118
2 Kings 2:1-18
1 Corinthians 4:1-7
Matthew 5:17-20

II. Selections
Ps. 118:11-12
They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
They surrounded me like bees;
they blazed like a fire of thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!

2 Kings 2:9
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit."

1 Cor. 4:1
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries.

Matt. 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. ..."

III. Meditation: A double share
Surrounded on every side, surrounded by bees, by a fire of thorns, only you can help us. Give us a double share of your Spirit; give us someone who is not only your servant but a steward of your mysteries; give us the One who came to fulfill the law and the prophets.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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