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.

July 05, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 100, 122
Numbers 24:12-25
Romans 8:18-25
Matthew 22:23-40

II. Selections
Psalm 63:5
My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips ...

Numbers 24:25
Then Balaam got up and went back to his place, and Balak also went his way.

Romans 8:18
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.

Matthew 22:23a
The same day some Sadducees came to [ Jesus], saying there is no resurrection ...

III. Meditation: Not worth comparing

The time will come for parting, when we must each go our way.
Some say there is no resurrection, but with Paul we believe
the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing
with the glory to be revealed; then our souls will be satisfied
as with a rich feast; our mouths will praise you with joyful lips.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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