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.

February 02, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 26, 116, 130
Genesis 23:1-20
Hebrews 11:32-12:2
John 6:60-71

II. Selections
Psalm 116:6
The LORD protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.

Genesis 23:1-20
The field and the cave that is in it passed from the Hittites into Abraham's possession as a burying place.

Hebrews 11:37-38b
They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented-of whom the world was not worthy.

John 6:60
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?"

III. Meditation: Simple
Abraham asked for a simple favor,
a place to bury his wife.
His request was granted-
there is merit in simplicity.

Your teachings are simple,
designed for simple people;
when we are proud
you bring us low to save us.

Your teachings are simple;
the difficulty lies in following them.
Your disciples face persecution, torment.
Yet you protect the simple.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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