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 12, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 26, 116, 130
Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
Galatians 5:16-24
Matthew 16:13-20

II. Selections
Psalm 26:3
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in faithfulness to you.

Ecclesiastes 11:7
Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

Galatians 5:16
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered [ Peter], "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. ... "

III. Meditation: Before our eyes

In your sweet light,
our eyes are pleased
to see the sun.

Before our eyes
is your steadfast love,
and in faithfulness
we walk to you.

As we live by the Spirit,
open our eyes
and reveal the truth
that flesh and blood
cannot reveal.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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