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 26, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 9, 62, 73, 145
2 Kings 17:24-41
1 Corinthians 7:25-31
Matthew 6:25-34

II. Selections
Ps. 145:9
The LORD is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

2 Kings 17:26
So the king of Assyria was told, "The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land; therefore he has sent lions among them; they are killing them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land."

1 Cor. 7:31b
For the present form of this world is passing away.

Matt. 6:31-32
Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

III. Meditation: Preparation for the lions
Paul seemed to anticipate that your cataclysmic intervention in the world was imminent. It is easy to dismiss his words, just as we dismiss the thought that you send lions to kill the people who do not know your law. Still, in every age it has been true that the present form of this world is passing away; and the rate of change grows day by day. It is almost beginning to seem cataclysmic already. Is this reason to worry? Perhaps, but Jesus told us not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear. He assured us that you know our need for these things. Remind us that others need them too. You are good to all, and your compassion is over all that you have made-so make us compassionate. That is the best preparation for the lions.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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