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.

Desolate--July 7, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 96, 147:1-11, 132, 134
Deuteronomy 1:1-18
Romans 9:1-18
Matthew 23:27-39

II. Selections
Psalms 134:1
Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
      who stand by night in the house of the LORD!

Deuteronomy 1:6-7a
The LORD our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Resume your journey…” [Moses to all Israel]

Romans 9:14
What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!

Matthew 23:38
“…See, your house is left to you, desolate. … ” [Jesus, lamenting over Jerusalem]

III. Meditation

When our house is left to us, desolate, what shall we say to you?
That there is injustice on your part? By no means.

You tell us we have stayed long enough on this mountain
and that we must resume our journey.

Staying where we are seems better; but as your servants,
we bless you, whatever the circumstances.

We stand by night in your house and bless your name,
even if our house is desolate.

And we resume our journey.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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