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 15, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 42, 102, 133
Joshua 2:15-24
Romans 11:13-24
Matthew 25:14-30

II. Selections
Psalm 42:8
By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.

Joshua 2:15
Then [ Rahab] let [ the spies] down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the outer side of the city wall and she resided within the wall itself.

Romans 11:20b
So do not become proud, but stand in awe.

Matthew 25:14
" ...For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: God of our life

A man going on a journey entrusted his property to his slaves;
two Israelite spies entrusted their lives to Rahab the prostitute,
and we entrust ourselves to you-your song is with us at night,
and by day you command your steadfast love. We stand in awe.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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