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 29, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 97, 115, 124
Joshua 1:1-9
Ephesians 3:1-13
Matthew 8:5-17

II. Selections
Psalm 97:8
Zion hears and is glad,
and the towns of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O God.

Joshua 1:1-2
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying, "My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. ..."

Ephesians 3:13
I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.

Matthew 8:8
The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. ..."

III. Meditation: Three thoughts
I am not worthy to have you enter my home,
said the centurion-
but give us faith like his.

Were we to hear with understanding
your judgments,
we would rejoice and be glad.

May the sufferings of our forerunners
inspire us with strength
to cross the Jordan.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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