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 26, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 6, 20, 88
Esther 8:1-8, 15-17
Acts 19:21-41
Luke 4:31-37

II. Selections
Psalm 20:1
The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

Esther 8:6
" ...For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?" [ Queen Esther to King Ahasuerus]

Acts 19:21
Now after these things had been accomplished, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go through Macedonia and Achaia, and then to go on to Jerusalem. He said, "After I have gone there, I must also see Rome."

Luke 4:34c
" ...I know who you are, the Holy One of God." [ Man with the spirit of an unclean demon, to Jesus]

III. Meditation: How can we bear to see the destruction?

Holy One of God, we know who you are. You are the one who answers in the day of trouble. We see the calamity that global warming will bring to the poor of the world; we cannot bear to think of the destruction of so many who are helpless to protect themselves. In your Spirit send forth workers who are resolved to go throughout the world to convince all peoples that we must change the course upon which the world is headed.
In the name of your Son, who loved the world.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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