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 18, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 97, 112, 135
Judges 17:1-13
Acts 7:44-8:1a
John 5:19-29

II. Selections
Psalms 112:4
[ Those who fear the LORD and greatly delight in his commandments]
rise in the darkness as a light for the upright,
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.

Judges 17:11
The Levite agreed to stay with the man [ Micah]; and the young man became to him like one of his sons.

Acts 7:48
" ...Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands; as the prophet says ... " [ Stephen before the Council]

John 5:20
" ...The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. ... " [ Jesus to those who were seeking to kill him]

III. Meditation: A light for the upright

You dwell not in houses made with human hands;
but you dwell with your Son, and he with you.
You love your Son, and you did not desert him
as the Levite was to desert his adopted father.

May we be astonished at the works of your Son;
make us delight greatly in your commandments-
like him rise in the darkness as a light for others,
that we may be gracious, merciful, and righteous.

No comments:

Post a Comment