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.

April 11, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 49, 96, 138
Exodus 24:1-18
Colossians 2:8-23
Matthew 4:12-17

II. Selections
Psalms 96:6
Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Exodus 24:17
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

III. Meditation: A devouring fire on the mountain

Christ is the substance of what is to come;
to him all honor, majesty, strength, beauty.
His word, a devouring fire on the mountain;
in him is the kingdom of heaven drawn near.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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