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.

November 06, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 19, 81, 113
Nehemiah 1:1-11
Acts 24:10-21
Luke 14:12-24

II. Selections
Psalm 113:7-8
He raises the poor from the dust,
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.

Nehemiah 1:11
" ...O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!"
At the time, I was cupbearer to the king. [ Words of Nehemiah]

Acts 24:10
When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:
"I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation.

Luke 14:13-14
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

III. Meditation: Up from the ash heap
Nehemiah was only the servant of the Persian king, but you heard his prayer and gave him success in bringing relief to your people. Paul was a prisoner in chains before the Roman governor, but you gave him the courage to make his defense. You raise the poor from the dust, and lift the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes. And you tell us that if we would be blessed, then when we give a banquet we must invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. These will not repay us, but you will.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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