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 13, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 46, 67, 93
Ezra 7:1-26
Acts 28:14b-23
Luke 16:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 46:11
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Acts 28:15
The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

Luke 16:10
Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.

III. Meditation: Set our hearts
God of hosts, be with us; God of Jacob, be our refuge. Set our hearts to study your law, and to do it, and to teach others. Teach us to act upon whatever shred of faith we have, to reject every trace of dishonesty, and to encourage one another by our presence in time of need.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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