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.

July 01, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 56, 111, 118
Numbers 20:14-29
Romans 6:1-11
Matthew 21:1-11

II. Selections
Psalm 118:5
Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.

Numbers 20:14
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, "Thus says your brother Israel: You know all the adversity that has befallen us ..."

Romans 6:1
What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?

Matthew 21:10
When [ Jesus] entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?"

III. Meditation: Out of turmoil and distress

You turn things upside down,
and the turmoil that ensues may be a boon.

We nurse the adversity that befalls us,
but out of our distress we call upon you.

You answer us
and set us in a broad place.

What is most important, you meet us in our sin
with your abundant grace.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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