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 25, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 7, 12, 36
Zechariah 11:4-17
1 Corinthians 3:10-23
Luke 18:31-43

II. Selections
Psalm 12:8
On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among humankind.

Zechariah 11:7a
So, on behalf of the sheep merchants, I became shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter.

1 Corinthians 3:10a
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it.

Luke 18:31
Then [ Jesus] took the twelve aside and said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. ... "

III. Meditation: Building upon the foundation

Each person must leave work to be finished by others-especially when it seems that the wicked prowl on every side and vileness is exalted. How will the wicked and vile build rightly upon the foundation laid by the good? It is like being shepherd of a flock doomed to slaughter. Why should the good permit this to happen? Yet the best person who ever lived depended upon others to complete his work. Lord, help us be worthy builders; and, when the time comes, pass on the task to others.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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