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.

April 29, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 93, 117, 136
Genesis 18:22-33
1 Peter 5:1-11
Matthew 7:15-29

II. Selections
Psalm 136:23
It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever ...

Genesis 18:23
Then Abraham came near [ the LORD] and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ... "

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.

Matthew 7:15
" ...Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ... " [ Jesus on the mountain, preaching to the crowd]

III. Meditation: In our low estate

You see through our sheep's clothing, the ravenous wolf inside.
Humble us-for it is in our low estate that you remember us-
lest we too be swept away as you sweep away all wickedness.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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