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 22, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 108, 122
Ezra 4:7, 11-24
Philemon 1-25
Matthew 12:33-42

II. Selections
Psalm 108:1
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!

Ezra 4:13
Now may it be known to the king that, if this city [ Jerusalem] is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be reduced.

Philemon 6
I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ.

Matthew 12:33
"Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. ..."

III. Meditation: Like a walled-in city
We are like a walled-in city that has no dealings with the outside world. Awaken our souls, O God; give us steadfast hearts to sing and make melody. Make the tree good, that it may bear good fruit; help us perceive all the good we may do for Christ so we may be effective as we share our faith.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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