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 24, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 36, 80
Joshua 9:3-21
Romans 15:1-13
Matthew26:69-75

II. Selections
Psalm 80:19
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Joshua 9:14
So the leaders partook of [ the visitors'] provisions, and did not ask direction from the LORD.

Romans 15:5
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus ...

Matthew26:75
Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

III. Meditation: That we may be saved

We do not seek your guidance, and we fail, and we weep bitterly.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved;
and grant that we may live in harmony with one another,
and that all we do may be in accordance with Christ.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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