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.

November 01, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 90, 125
Nahum 3:8-19
Revelation 13:11-18
Luke 12:32-48

II. Selections
Psalm 90:1
Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.

Nahum 3:8
Are you better than Thebes
that sat by the Nile,
with water around her,
her rampart a sea,
water her wall?
[ The prophet speaks for the LORD to Nineveh]

Revelation 13:15
...and [ the second beast] was allowed to give breath to the image of the [ first] beast so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

Luke 12:32
" ...Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: Not better

In all generations you have been our dwelling place,
but that does not mean we are immune from trouble.

We are not better than ancient Thebes, which sat
by the Nile, water all around for her protection.

We are not better than martyrs killed because
they refused to worship the image of the beast.

Not better, but with them we share the invitation
to accept without fear the gift of your kingdom.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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