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 02, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 103, 117, 139
Zephaniah 1:1-6
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13
Matthew 18:21-35

II. Selections
Psalm 117:2
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!

Zephaniah 1:6
...those [ idolatrous priests] who have turned back from following the LORD,
who have not sought the LORD or inquired of him.

1 Corinthians 13:2
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Matthew 18:35
" ...So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart." [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: Steadfast love

Your steadfast love for us is great;
your faithfulness endures forever.

We turn back from following you,
do not seek you or inquire of you,
nor do we forgive from our heart.

We have not love, we are nothing.
In your steadfast love, forgive us.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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