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.

June 07, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 100, 122, 149
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20
Galatians 3:23-4:11
Matthew 15:1-20

II. Selections
Psalm 149:6-7
Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples ...

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and right, do not be amazed at the matter; for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.

Galatians 4:11
I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted. [ Paul to the churches of Galatia]

Matthew 15:18
" ...But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: In our throats, and in our hearts

When you hear high praises from our throats,
along with the demand to punish and avenge,
you must think your teaching has been wasted.

Still, when we hear that high officials oppress
the poor in violation of what is just and right,
in our hearts we plead-keep watch on them.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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