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 22, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 46, 67, 93
Micah 1:1-9
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Matthew 16:13-20

II. Selections
Psalm 46:8-9
Come, behold the works of the LORD;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

Micah 1:9
For [ Samaria's] wound is incurable.
It has come to Judah;
it has reached to the gate of my people,
to Jerusalem.

1 Corinthians 10:12
So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.

Matthew 16:18
" ...And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ... " [ Jesus to Peter in the presence of the other disciples]

III. Meditation: Terrible desolations

We think that we are standing; we must take care not to fall.
Nations with incurable wounds have reached our gates.
Whether you have brought them or we have,
there are terrible desolations on the earth.
Make wars cease all over the earth;
break the bow, shatter the spear,
and burn the shields with fire.
Not even the gates of hell
can prevail against
what you build
and defend.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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