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 14, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 29, 82
Joshua 2:1-14
Romans 11:1-12
Matthew 25:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 82:1
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment ...

Joshua 2:11b
"The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. ... " [ Rahab the prostitute to the two spies]

Romans 11:5
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

Matthew 25:2
" ...Five of [ the ten bridesmaids] were foolish, and five were wise. ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: A remnant, chosen by grace

There were wise bridesmaids, and there were foolish ones.
Even in the midst of the divine council, you hold judgment;
for indeed you are God in heaven above and on earth below.
What chance, then, is there for us-unless by your grace?

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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