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 23, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 97, 112, 135, 145
1 Samuel 24:1-22
Acts 13:44-52
Mark 4:1-20

II. Selections
Psalm 112:5
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.

1 Samuel 24:17
[ King Saul] said to David, "You are more righteous than I; for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. ... "

Acts 13:51
So [ Paul and Barnabas] shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium.

Mark 4:5
Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil.

III. Meditation: Rocky ground

We are rocky ground, unreceptive to your word.
Generosity, even justice, is not our natural way-
we would rather repay with evil than with good;
rather kick with our feet than shake the dust off them.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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