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 24, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123
Numbers 16:20-35
Romans 4:1-12
Matthew 19:23-30

II. Selections
Psalm 86:7
In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.

Numbers 16:34
All Israel around [ Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their families] fled at their outcry, for they said, "The earth will swallow us too!"

Romans 4:5
But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

Matthew 19:30
" ...But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. ... " [ Jesus to the disciples]

III. Meditation: On the day we fear

On the day we fear the earth will swallow us,
in the day of our trouble, we call on you,
in faith that you will answer us.
Not because of any good works
do we hold this hope, nor that we are first
among the righteous, but only that we trust you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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