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 25, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 19, 81, 113
Proverbs 9:1-12
Acts 8:14-25
Luke 10:25-28, 38-42

II. Selections
Psalm 81:12
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.

Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will gain in learning.

Acts 8:20
But Peter said to [ Simon the magician], "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money! ... "

Luke 10:41-42
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

III. Meditation: One thing is needful

Silver will not purchase your free gift;
stubborn hearts will never receive it;
worry and distraction will block it;
but the one thing that is needful
will be taught to those who are
wise enough to seek wisdom.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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