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 05, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 96, 132, 134
1 Kings 9:24-10:13
James 3:1-12
Mark 15:1-11

II. Selections
Psalm 132:1
O LORD, remember in David's favor
all the hardships he endured ...

1 Kings 10:13
Meanwhile King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba every desire that she expressed, as well as what he gave her out of Solomon's royal bounty. Then she returned to her own land, with her servants.

James 3:9
With [ the tongue] we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.

Mark 15:5
But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

III. Meditation: No life of luxury

Son of David, we remember in your
favor all the hardships you endured;
no life of luxury yours-not like
Solomon's or the queen of Sheba's
or, for that matter, Pilate's-before
whom you stood on trial for your life.

You amazed Pilate by the way you
were able to control your tongue.
Teach us to control our tongue, lest
we curse those for whom you suffered.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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