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 25, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 68, 113
Daniel 7:9-14
Hebrews 2:5-18
Matthew 28:16-20

II. Selections
Psalm 113:4
The LORD is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.

Daniel 7:14
To him was given dominion
and glory and kingship,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not pass away,
and his kingship is one
that shall not be destroyed.

Hebrews 2:11
For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters ...

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ..."

III. Meditation: Not ashamed?
Jesus, you have been given
all authority in heaven and earth-
dominion and glory and kingship,
an everlasting dominion
that shall not pass away or be destroyed.

Your authority comes from God,
who is high above all nations,
and whose glory is above the heavens.
How is it, Jesus, that you are not ashamed
to call us brothers and sisters?

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)