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 24, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 19, 81, 113
1 Samuel 4:12-22
James 1:1-18
Matthew 19:23-30

II. Selections
Psalm 81:13
O that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!

1 Samuel 4:17
The messenger replied [ to Eli], "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great slaughter among the troops; your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured."

James 1:2-3
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance ...

Matthew 19:33
"' ...Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' ..." [ From the parable of the unforgiving servant]

III. Meditation: To face trials

If only we would listen to you
and walk in your ways;
if only we would show mercy,
as you have shown mercy to us;
how much better our lives would be!

Nevertheless, trials come to all-
the bad news rains down on us
until it is more than we can bear.
When our faith is thus tested,
be our strength and our endurance.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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