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 11, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 98, 104, 138
Genesis 29:1-20
Romans 14:1-23
John 8:47-59

II. Selections
Psalm 104:12
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;
they sing among the branches.

Genesis 29:2a
As [ Jacob] looked, he saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep lying there beside it; for out of that well the flocks were watered.

Romans 14:5-6
Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.

John 8:53
" ...Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?"

III. Meditation: Water
The flocks are watered from the well;
the birds of the air have their habitation by the streams
and sing among the branches.
All need water.

We claim Christ to be our living water,
greater than Abraham or the prophets.
We give thanks to you for him.
May we honor him in all we do.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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