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 18, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 68, 113
Leviticus 19:26-37
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Matthew 6:25-34

II. Selections
Psalm 68:30b
Trample under foot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.

Leviticus 19:34
The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

2 Thessalonians 1:11
To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith ...

Matthew 6:33
But strive for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

III. Meditation: In trust you will provide
You have called us;
make us worthy of your call.
By your power fulfill
every good resolve and work of faith.

When you called us
we were immigrants in Egypt;
now teach us to love
the immigrants among us.

Destroy all lust for gain that leads to war.
Make us content to seek
your kingdom, your righteousness,
in trust you will provide our needs.

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