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 14, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 90, 125
1 Samuel 17:31-49
Acts 11:1-18
Mark 1:14-28

II. Selections
Psalm 90:5-6
You sweep [ mortals] away, they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning;
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

1 Samuel 17:39
David strapped Saul's sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them."

Acts 11:17
" ...If then God gave [ the Gentiles] the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" [ Peter to the other apostles and believers]

Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

III. Meditation: When the time is fulfilled

Who are we mortals that we can hinder your Spirit?
We are like grass that is renewed in the morning;
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

When we are confronted with new things,
we are like David trying to wear Saul's armor.
Renew us, that we may live like morning grass,
eager to be part of your kingdom as it comes near.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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