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.

September 07, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 103, 117, 139
Job 25:1-6, 27:1-6
Revelation 14:1-7, 13
Matthew 5:13-20

II. Selections
Psalm 117:2a
For great is his steadfast love toward us ...

Job 25:4
" ...How then can a mortal be righteous before God?
How can one borne of women be pure? ... "
[ Bildad replies to Job]

Revelation 14:1
Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion! And with him were one hundred forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

Matthew 5:20
" ...For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ... " [ Jesus, seated on the mountain before the crowds]

III. Meditation: And that is sufficient

Bildad's question is a good one-
how can a mortal be righteous
before you? We are not even
certain we are more righteous
than the scribes and Pharisees,
let alone that your name will be
written on our foreheads; but we
are confident in your steadfast love ...

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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