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 11, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 68, 113
Exodus 34:1-17
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
Matthew 5:21-26

II. Selections
Psalm 68:35
Awesome is God in his sanctuary;
the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

Exodus 34:10
[ The LORD] said, "I hereby make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform marvels, such as have not been performed in all the earth or in any nation; and all the people among whom you live shall see the work of the LORD; for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

1 Thessalonians 2:17
As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you-in person, not in heart-we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face.

Matthew 5:23-24
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

III. Meditation: Marvels you perform
Awesome God,
you do awesome things with us.
You give power and strength to your people.

One of the marvels you perform
is when a brother or sister has something against us,
and you show the way to reconciliation.

Another is, though miles or years or generations
orphan us from the ones we love,
you bridge the separation, join our hearts.

Blessed be your name.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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