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.

October 05, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 25, 40, 84
2 Kings 19:1-20
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
Matthew 8:1-17

II. Selections
Psalm 25:9
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his ways.

2 Kings 19:20
Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I have heard your prayer to me about King Sennacherib of Assyria. ..."

1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.

Matthew 8:8
The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed."

III. Meditation: You teach the humble your ways

King Hezekiah humbled himself before you,
and the prophet said you heard his prayer.

The centurion humbled himself before Jesus,
and Jesus healed the centurion's servant.

Paul made himself weak, to win the weak:
he did not let pride interfere with his mission.

Make us humble like these others, we pray,
that you may lead us and teach us your ways.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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