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.

June 04, 2010

Many Words Or Few?

I. Readings
Psalms 88, 148, 6, 20
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Galatians 3:15-22
Matthew 14:22-36

II. Selections
Psalm 20:1
The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
      The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

Ecclesiastes 5:3
For dreams come with many cares, and a fool’s voice with many words.

Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

Matthew 14:28-29a
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.”

III. Meditation

As bad dreams betoken worries, so many words
are the mark of a fool. Your words to us are few.
In the day of trouble you answer us, you protect
us—but by acts of mercy, not by long speeches.

“Come,” you said to Peter, and so you say to us.
You promised us an inheritance, and the promise
was fulfilled by action. Help us rely on action as
we receive our inheritance, not on empty words.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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