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 05, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 103, 117, 139
Genesis 24:50-67
2 Timothy 2:14-21
Mark 10:13-22

II. Selections
Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart,
test me and know my thoughts.

Genesis 24:59
So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham's servant and his men.

2 Timothy 2:20
In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary.

Mark 10:22
When [ the young man] heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

III. Meditation: What am I made of?
Rebekah's nurse was faithful and went with her;
Abraham's servant was faithful and led them.
Were these utensils of gold and silver
or only of wood and clay?

The young man who had many possessions
was shocked at the words of Jesus
and went away grieving.
What kind of utensil was he?

Search me, O God, and know my heart
(am I a utensil for ordinary use?);
test me and know my thoughts
(or for special use?).

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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