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.

September 01, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 100, 122
1 Kings 7:51-8:21
Acts 28:17-31
Mark 14:43-52

II. Selections
Psalms 122:7
" ...Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers. ... "

1 Kings 8:12-13
Then Solomon said,
"The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.
I have built you an exalted house,
a place for you to dwell in forever."

Acts 28:20
" ...For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain." [ Paul, to the leaders of the Jews in Rome]

Mark 14:50
All of [ the disciples] deserted [ Jesus] and fled.

III. Meditation: To find peace and security

We pray for a place to find peace and security,
but sometimes it is in thick darkness you dwell.
Perhaps we look in the wrong place for security,
perhaps we must go elsewhere to find your peace.

Jesus kept his peace when arrested by the Romans
even though his disciples deserted into darkness.
Bound with a chain, threatened with execution,
Paul still felt secure to speak boldly for you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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