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 11, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123
Jeremiah 36:27-37:2
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Matthew 10:16-23

II. Selections
Ps. 123:2
As the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
until he has mercy upon us.

Jer. 36:28
Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which King Jehoiakim of Judah has burned. [ The LORD's words to Jeremiah]

1 Cor. 14:1
Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

Matt. 10:22
...and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

III. Meditation: As the eyes look
Jeremiah learned that transmitting words from you did not make him popular, but he persisted. Jesus assured us that we will be hated because of his name, but that the one who endures will be saved. Strengthen us to persist, to endure, to pursue love and strive for your spiritual gifts-even to speak your word. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to you, until you have mercy upon us. Do not make us wait longer than we have strength to endure.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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