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 31, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 56, 111, 118
Proverbs 25:15-28
1 Timothy 6:6-21
Matthew 13:36-43

II. Selections
Psalm 111:8
[ His precepts] are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat much honey,
or to seek honor on top of honor.

1 Timothy 6:11
But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.

Matthew 13:43
" ...Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen." [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: Not too much honey

It is not good to eat much honey,
or to seek honor on top of honor.
If we must seek honor, let it be to
shine like the sun in your kingdom.

Your precepts teach us what to seek;
help us perform them with faithfulness.
May we pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)