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.

August 01, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 6, 20, 88, 148
Judges 5:1-18
Acts 2:1-21
Matthew 28:1-10

II. Selections
Psalm 148:5
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

Judges 5:16
" ...Why did you tarry among the sheepfolds,
to hear the piping for the flocks?
Among the clans of Reuben
there were great searchings of heart. ... " [ from the Song of Deborah]

Acts 2:1
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

Matthew 28:8
So [ Mary Magdalene and the other Mary] left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell [ Jesus'] disciples.

III. Meditation: When to tarry

Though we tarry with great searchings of heart,
your commands are decisive. We praise your name.

Though we may be filled with fear as well as great joy,
you command us to go quickly and tell others the good news.

But show us also the importance of gathering together in silence,
waiting and praying for the arrival of our own Pentecost experience.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)