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 26, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 92, 114, 149
Leviticus 23:23-44
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
Matthew 7:13-21

II. Selections
Psalm 149:4
For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.

Leviticus 23:43
...so that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

2 Thessalonians 3:13
Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Matthew 7:14
" ...For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. ... " [ Jesus, seated on the mountain, speaking to the crowds]

III. Meditation: There are few who find it

You take pleasure in your people when they are humble
and want all generations to remember the life in booths.

The gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life;
strengthen us when we grow weary doing what is right.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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