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 16, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123
Jeremiah 36:27-37:2
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Matthew 10:16-23

II. Selections
Psalm 123:4
Our soul has had more than its fill
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.

Jeremiah 36:28
Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which King Jehoiakim of Judah has burned. [ Part of the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah]

1 Corinthians 14:4
Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy speak to other people for their up-building and encouragement and consolation.

Matthew 10:19
" ...When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time ... " [ Jesus instructing his twelve before he sends them out on a mission]

III. Meditation: More than enough of scorn

The proud, those who are at ease,
are full of scorn and contempt.
They resist, destroy your Word,
build up themselves-not others.

When it is our time to speak,
give us what we are to say,
including, as appropriate, words
of encouragement and consolation.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)