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 05, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 1, 33, 89:1-18
2 Kings 22:14-23:3
1 Corinthians 11:23-34
Matthew 9:9-17

II. Selections
Ps. 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

2 Kings 22:15-16
[ The prophetess Huldah] declared to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the LORD, I will indeed bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants-all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. ..."

1 Cor. 11:32
But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

Matthew 9:13
" ...Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

III. Meditation: Go and learn what this means
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. How do you balance your steadfast love with your justice, your righteousness with your faithfulness? For the sake of righteousness and justice, do you bring disaster on a place and all its inhabitants-even small children? Can this be faithfulness and steadfast love? Is your judgment meant only to discipline us, that we may avoid the condemnation the world will suffer? This cannot be the full extent of your steadfast love; for Jesus said he came to call not the righteous but sinners. In him we find the whole meaning of your righteousness and justice and steadfast love and faithfulness.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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