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.

August 25, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 56, 111, 118
2 Samuel 23:1-7, 13-17
Acts 25:13-27
Mark 13:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

2 Samuel 23:2
The spirit of the LORD speaks through me,
his word is upon my tongue. [ From David's last words]

Acts 25:23
So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then Festus gave the order and Paul was brought in.

Mark 13:11
" ...When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. ..." [ Jesus to Peter, James, John, and Andrew]

III. Meditation: The day you have made

We live today, in the day you have made for us;
teach us to rejoice in the day and be glad in it.

If we have trials to face this day, remind us of
your followers who were handed over for trial.

The contest was not equal-on one side pomp
and power, on the other pitiable prisoners.

But in their time of trial your Holy Spirit
put words on their tongue, and you prevailed.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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