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 23, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 66, 98, 116
Leviticus 26:1-20
1 Timothy 2:1-6
Matthew 13:18-23

II. Selections
Psalm 66:3
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you. ... "

Leviticus 26:11-12
I will place my dwelling in your midst, and I shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people.

1 Timothy 2:3-4
This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 13:22
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.

III. Meditation: Lest there be only thorns
Awesome in power, awesome in deeds;
but that we cringe before you
is not your desire,
nor is it that you should abhor us.

You desire to dwell in our midst,
to walk among us,
to be our God;
you want us to be your people.

You want to save us,
want us to come
to know your truth,
hidden midst the choking thorns.

Remove for us the thorns,
the worldly cares,
the lure of wealth,
lest there be only thorns.

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