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 31, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 57, 85
Joshua 24:16-33
Romans 16:1-16
Matthew 27:24-31

II. Selections
Psalm 57:11
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.

Joshua 24:27
Joshua said to all the people, "See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, if you deal falsely with your God."

Romans 16:3-4
Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Matthew 27:29b
[ The soldiers of the governor] put a reed in [ Jesus'] right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

III. Meditation: Praise and mock praise

Paul acclaimed the work of those who risked their lives for his;
he gave them public praise and thanks.

Joshua reminded the people of your goodness to them
and set a stone as witness.

The psalmist sang your praise
and exalted your name over all the earth.

How painful, then, to think how our Lord was scorned,
a true King made to suffer mock praise.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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