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.

July 01, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 46, 67, 93
1 Samuel 10:1-16
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 21:23-32

II. Selections
Psalm 93:4
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves of the sea,
majestic on high is the LORD!

1 Samuel 10:7
Now when these signs meet you, do whatever you see fit to do, for God is with you. [ Samuel to Saul]

Romans 4:17b
...in the presence of the God in whom [ Abraham] believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Matthew 21:31b
" ...Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. ... " [ Jesus to the chief priests and elders of the people]

III. Meditation: The ones whom we reject

Be with us God, that we will see fit to do
only what pleases you; be with us,
for you give life to the dead,
and call into existence
what does not exist.

You are majestic; more than thunders
of mighty waters, or of the waves
of the sea, you are majestic;
yet you accept the ones
whom we reject.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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