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.

October 04, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 42, 102, 133
2 Kings 22:1-13
1 Corinthians 11:2-22
Matthew 9:1-8

II. Selections
Ps. 42:7
Deep calls to deep
at the thunder of your cataracts;
all your waves and your billows
have gone over me.

2 Kings 22:11
When [ King Josiah] heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

1 Cor. 11:17
Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.

Matthew 9:2
And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

III. Meditation: Take heart
Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over us. How deeply we have failed you as your church. Like Josiah, we should be tearing our clothes over our neglect of your words. Too often when we come together our divisions only grow greater. Forgive our sins, and teach us to carry those in need of help. Teach us also to accept your forgiveness, that we may take heart, and get up, and walk.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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