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 09, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 42, 102, 133
2 Kings 22:1-13
1 Corinthians 11:2-22
Matthew 9:1-8

II. Selections
Psalm 133:1
How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!

2 Kings 22:7
" ...But no accounting shall be asked from [ those who are repairing the house of the LORD] for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly." [ King Josiah to his secretary, Shaphan]

1 Corinthians 11:18
For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it.

Matthew 9:4
But Jesus, perceiving [ the scribes'] thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? ... " [ Jesus, to the scribes who thought he was blaspheming]

III. Meditation: How very good and pleasant

How very good and pleasant it is
when your people live together in unity,
when they trust one another to deal honestly.

How very bad and unpleasant it is
when we are divided from one another,
and we think evil in our hearts about others.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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