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 27, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 29, 82
Proverbs 27:1-6, 10-12
Philippians 2:1-13
John 18:15-18, 25-27

II. Selections
Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
so that those who love your name may exult in you.

Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Philippians 2:1-2
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

John 18:17
The woman said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?"

III. Meditation: One of his disciples?
Are we your disciples, Jesus?
We do not know what a day may bring,
so we do not boast about tomorrow;
but today we take refuge in you
and rejoice and sing for joy.

Spread your protection over us;
for in you we find encouragement;
in your love is our consolation;
through you we share in the Spirit
and join together in compassion and sympathy.

May all who love your name exult in you,
be of the same mind in full accord,
and have the same love.
No one then will need to ask
if we are your disciples.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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