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 28, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 4, 15, 48
Proverbs 17:1-20
1 Timothy 3:1-16
Matthew 12:43-50

II. Selections
Psalm 48:9
We ponder your steadfast love, O God,
in the midst of your temple.

Proverbs 17:3
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
but the LORD tests the heart.

1 Timothy 3:16
Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great:
He was revealed in flesh,
vindicated in spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.

Matthew 12:50
" ...For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
[ Jesus, to the one who had told him his mother and brothers were waiting to see him]

III. Meditation: Tested by love, in love

As the crucible tests silver
and the furnace tests gold,
you test the heart, O God.

We ponder as we worship,
ponder why we are tested,
ponder your steadfast love.

How do they fit together-
your testing and your love?
It presents a great mystery.

And still a greater mystery-
Christ was revealed in flesh
and finally taken up in glory.

We ponder the latter mystery
and understand the test to be:
Can we do your will in love?

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