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 08, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 98, 104, 138
Jeremiah 35:1-19
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3
Matthew 9:35-10:4

II. Selections
Ps. 138:3
On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.

Jer. 35:143
The command has been carried out that Jonadab son of Rechab gave to his descendants to drink no wine; and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their ancestor's command. But I myself have spoken to you persistently, and you have not obeyed me.

1 Cor. 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Matt. 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

III. Meditation: Calls and answers, hearing and speaking
When we are harassed and helpless, you have compassion on us. We call, and you answer us. Yet you have spoken to us persistently, and we have not obeyed you. Increase our strength of soul; and fill us with your love, lest in our speaking we be no more than noisy gongs and clanging cymbals.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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