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 19, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 42, 102, 133
1 Samuel 1:21-2:11
Acts 1:15-26
Luke 20:19-26

II. Selections
Psalm 102:3
For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.

1 Samuel 1:28
" ...Therefore I have lent [ this child] to the LORD; as long as he lives, he is given to the LORD." [ Hannah] left him there for the LORD.

Acts 1:24
Then [ the disciples] prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen ... "

Luke 20:20
So [ the chief priests and scribes] watched [ Jesus] and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor.

III. Meditation: Show us

When our days pass away like smoke,
and our bones burn like a furnace;
when our main interest is to trap you
and eliminate you from our lives;
then remind us of Hannah's dedication,
and that you know everyone's heart.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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