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 17, 2010

My Chosen Portion

I. Readings
Psalms 97, 147:12-20, 16, 62
Numbers 12:1-16
Romans 2:12-24
Matthew 18:10-20

II. Selections
Psalm 16:5
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
      you hold my lot.

Numbers 12:9
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against [Aaron and Miriam], and he departed.

Romans 2:23
You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

Matthew 18:13
“…And if [the shepherd] finds [the lost sheep], truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. … ” [Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation

O God, you hold my lot;
you are my chosen portion and my cup.

You have every reason to be angry with me,
for I dishonor you by breaking your law,
even as I proclaim it.

Nevertheless, when I go astray,
you search for me and bring me back.

So have I chosen you, or have you chosen me?
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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