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 20, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 81, 116, 143
Malachi 2:1-16
James 4:13-5:6
Luke 17:20-37

II. Selections
Psalm 143:8
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

Malachi 2:10
Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?

James 5:5
You [ rich people] have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

Luke 17:20-21
Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you."

III. Meditation: Fattened hearts

Here am I, living in luxury and in pleasure, fattening my heart. Surely I have cause to be concerned, for how can the kingdom be within me? Do I not care that one Father has created me and those who suffer famine and homelessness? Lord, let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning. Teach me the way I should go, as I lift up my soul to you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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