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.

May 05, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 49, 96, 138, 148
Exodus 24:1-18
Colossians 2:8-23
Matthew 4:12-17

II. Selections
Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Exodus 24:18
Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Colossians 2:15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

III. Meditation: To find you
Your steadfast love endures forever;
you will not forsake
the work of your hands.
No need to enter a cloud
or camp on a mountain
to find you, God,
or your purpose for us.

We will know
when the kingdom of heaven
has come near,
for the peace of Christ
will rule in our hearts,
as, full of thanks,
we enjoy the unity of one body.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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