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.

May 15, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 66, 98, 116, 146
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
James 1:16-27
Luke 11:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 66:18
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the LORD would not have listened.

Deuteronomy 8:12
Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.

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

Luke 11:10
" ...For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]


III. Meditation: Parameters

If we ask, we receive; if we search, we find;
if we knock, the door will be opened-
unless in our heart we cherish iniquity.

If we observe the sabbath and keep it holy,
and do not bridle our tongues, but deceive
our hearts-then our religion is worthless.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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