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.

June 01, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 32, 130, 139
Deuteronomy 5:1-22
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Luke 16:10-18

II. Selections
Psalm 130:7
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.

Deuteronomy 5:15
Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day.

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.

Luke 16:15
So [ Jesus] said to [ the Pharisees], "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.

III. Meditation: Treasure in clay jars

You are God of love and God of power-
steadfast love and great power to redeem.
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm
you brought the slaves out of Egypt.
We try to justify ourselves in the sight of others,
but you know our hearts. In your sight
what is prized by humans is an abomination.
You share with us your love and power,
but only like treasure in clay jars,
so that we may recognize you as the source.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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