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 25, 2008

2008 August 25

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 57, 85
Job 4:1, 5:1-11, 17-21, 26-27
Acts 9:19b-31
John 6:52-59

II. Selections
Psalm 47:1
Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with loud songs of joy.

Job 5:8
" ...As for me, I would seek God,
and to God I would commit my cause. ... "
[ Eliphaz to Job]

Acts 9:27
But Barnabas took [ Saul], brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

John 6:56
" ...Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. ... " [ Jesus to the Jews who disagreed with him]

III. Meditation: Loud songs of joy

Saul was changed (clap your hands, all you peoples)
and spoke boldly in your name (shout loud songs of joy).

May we like Saul seek you and commit our cause to you.
May we abide in you, and you in us, through Christ.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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