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 13, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 92, 114
Exodus 40:18-38
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Matthew 5:38-48

II. Selections
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Exodus 40:33
[ Moses] set up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and put up the screen at the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

1 Thessalonians 4:10b-11
But we urge you, beloved, to [ love all the brothers and sisters] more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you ...

Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ...

III. Meditation: Assignments
O God, our Shepherd,
you provide our needs,
you lead us in your paths.

We have our assignments:
live quietly,
mind our own affairs,
work with our hands,
follow directions,
love our brothers and sisters,
love our enemies,
pray for those who persecute us.

Moses finished
the work he was assigned.
Will we?

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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