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 24, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 57, 85
2 Kings 5:1-19
1 Corinthians 4:8-21
Matthew 5:21-26

II. Selections
Psalm 85:8
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

2 Kings 5:19
[ Elisha] said to [ Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram], "Go in peace."

1 Corinthians 4:21
What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Matthew 5:24
" ...leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. ... " [ Jesus, sitting on the mountain]

III. Meditation: Speak peace to your people

If we are faithful and turn to you in our hearts,
you will speak peace to your people.
Help us then to speak peace to one another,
to be reconciled with one another,
to visit one another in a spirit of gentleness.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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