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 29, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 9, 62, 73
Hosea 2:2-15
Acts 20:17-38
Luke 5:1-11

II. Selections
Psalm 62:1
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.

Hosea 2:8
She did not know
that it was I who gave her
the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and who lavished upon her silver
and gold that they lavished on Baal.
[ The LORD metaphorically speaking of Israel]

Acts 20:22
" ...And now, as a captive to the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there ... " [ Paul to the Ephesian elders]

Luke 5:4
When [ Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."

III. Meditation: Into deep water

Giver of all that is good, you lavish upon us all manner of gifts; and we do not know they are from you. Now, while our soul waits for you in silence, give us your salvation. Then send us to the deep water to let down our nets for a catch, for we are ready to go as captives to your Spirit, not knowing what will happen to us there, but trusting you to be with us. In the name of Jesus.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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