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 21, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 97, 112, 135
Joshua 7:1-13
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 26:36-46

II. Selections
Psalm 97:2
Clouds and thick darkness are all around [ the LORD];
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Joshua 7:13
" ...Proceed to sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, "There are devoted things among you, O Israel; you will be unable to stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you." ... ' "

Romans 13:12
...the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light ...

Matthew 26:41
" ...Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

III. Meditation: In thick darkness

Clouds and thick darkness hide you,
obscure your righteousness and justice.

Take from us the things we cling to,
things that make us too weak to stand.

Help us lay aside the works of darkness,
put on the armor of light-the day is near.

We of willing spirit but weak flesh pray you to
keep us awake and spare us from the time of trial.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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