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 09, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 96, 132, 134
Deuteronomy 1:1-18
Romans 9:1-18
Matthew 23:27-39

II. Selections
Psalms 134:1
Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
who stand by night in the house of the LORD!

Deuteronomy 1:17a
You must not be partial in judging: hear out the small and the great alike; you shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's.

Romans 9:16
So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

Matthew 23:28
" ...So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. ... " [ Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees]

III. Meditation: For the judgment is yours

You call your servants to come and bless you.
To be called does not depend on human will
or exertion, but on you, O God of mercy.

Human judges must be impartial and hear out
the small and the great alike, remembering
that outside appearance means nothing.

For righteous exteriors may front hypocrisy
and lawlessness; final judgment belongs
to you, O God who shows mercy.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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