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.

October 17, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123
Hosea 12:2-14
Acts 26:24-27:8
Luke 8:40-56

II. Selections
Psalm 123:3
Have mercy upon us, O LORD,
have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than
enough of contempt.

Hosea 12:6
But as for you, return to your God,
hold fast to love and justice,
and wait continually for your God.

Acts 26:24
While [ Paul] was making this defense, Festus exclaimed, "You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!"

Luke 8:41b-42
[ Jairus] fell at Jesus' feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.

III. Meditation: More than enough of contempt

We are accustomed to the contempt of cynics
who suppose we have lost are minds
when they hear us testify to our faith,
but do you treat us with contempt, too?

If we fall at your feet
and beg you to heal our child,
will you ignore us?

We do not know-we only know
we must return to you,
hold fast to love and justice,
and wait for you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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