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 08, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123
Nehemiah 9:26-38
Revelation 18:9-20
Matthew 15:21-28

II. Selections
Psalm 86:4
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Nehemiah 9:36
Here we are, slaves to this day-slaves in the land that you gave to our ancestors to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts.

Revelation 18:16-17a
"Alas, alas, the great city, clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in one hour all this wealth has been laid waste!" [ merchants]

Matthew 15:27
[ The Canaanite woman] said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

III. Meditation: Even the crumbs
We lift up our soul to you. Even the crumbs that fall from your table are enough to gladden the soul; and you have given us far more than crumbs. Yet in spite of all the good gifts you have given us to enjoy, we have made ourselves slaves-enslaved to the riches that surround us. Liberate us from our false worship of fine clothes and adornments, for all this wealth will be laid waste. Satisfy us with the crumbs.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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