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.

May 03, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 92, 114
Numbers 11:16-17, 24-29
Ephesians 2:11-22
Matthew 7:28-8:4

II. Selections
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Numbers 11:29
But Moses said to [ Joshua], "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!"

Ephesians 2:19
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God ...

Matthew 7:28
Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teachings ...

III. Meditation: God of surprises

You are a God of surprises,
astounding us over and over.

You make aliens and strangers
into citizens with the saints-
all members of your household.

You take ordinary people,
fill them with your Spirit,
and turn them into prophets.

And, what is most remarkable,
like a shepherd you care for us.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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