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 08, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 66, 108
Ecclesiastes 6:1-12
Acts 10:9-23
Luke 12:32-40

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

Ecclesiastes 6:12
For who knows what is good for mortals while they live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow? For who can tell them what will be after them under the sun?

Acts 10:15
The voice said to [ Peter] again, a second time, "What God has made clean, you must not call profane."

Luke 12:32
" ...Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's pleasure to give you the kingdom. ... " [ Jesus, to his disciples]

III. Meditation: The answer to cynicism

Life is vain; the few days we live pass like a shadow,
and we do not know what will be when life is over.

In the throes of our cynicism, we hear your voice:
What you have made clean, we must not call profane.

You are our shepherd-no need to be afraid;
it is your pleasure to give us the kingdom.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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