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.

September 24, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 46, 67, 93
Esther 3:1-4:3
James 1:19-27
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

II. Selections
Psalm 46:6
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.

Esther 3:15b
The king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.

James 1:26
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.

Matthew 6:1
" ...Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ... "

III. Meditation: Uproar and confusion

All around us uproar;
We sit down to drink,
pretend nothing happens;
yet confusion reigns.

Self-opinion is unreliable,
our hearts easily deceived,
and our religion worthless
unless our tongues be bridled.

We put piety on display,
but you say showmanship
robs piety of all reward.
How utterly confusing!

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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