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.

November 22, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 65, 91, 125
Malachi 1:1, 6-14
James 3:13-4:12
Luke 17:11-19

II. Selections
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people,
from this time on and forevermore.

Malachi 1:6a
A son honors his father, and servants their master. If then I am a father, where is the honor due me? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the LORD of hosts to you ...

James 4:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.

Luke 17:12-13
As [ Jesus] entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

III. Meditation: Wisdom from above

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so you surround us with your love.
The lepers were not permitted near Jesus,
but they approached as close as they could.

What prevents us from approaching you,
from showing due honor and respect?
From receiving your wisdom-
wisdom pure, peaceable, gentle?

Wisdom that is willing to yield,
full of mercy and good fruits,
free from all partiality,
free from hypocrisy?

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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