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 09, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 9, 62, 73
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Galatians 4:12-20
Matthew 15:21-28

II. Selections
Psalm 62:9
Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.

Ecclesiastes 7:13
Consider the work of God,
who can make straight what he has made crooked?

Galatians 4:14
...though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

Matthew 15:27
[ The Canaanite woman] said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

III. Meditation: Equality before God

Even the Canaanite woman managed to get your attention;
Paul's physical problem did not eliminate his effectiveness;
the rich do not weigh more on your balance than the poor do;
and none of us can make straight what you have made crooked.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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