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 26, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 56, 111, 118, 149
Joshua 23:1-16
Romans 15:25-33
Matthew 27:11-23

II. Selections
Psalm 149:1
Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Joshua 23:11
" ...Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God. ... " [ From Joshua's farewell to the people of Israel]

Romans 15:33
The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.

Matthew 27:12
But when [ Jesus] was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.

III. Meditation: Careful to love you

May you be with us, O God of peace,
as you were with Jesus, who did not
answer even when falsely accused.

Make us careful to love you always
and to praise you in the assembly
of the faithful, as we sing songs
ever new, full of love for you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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