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.

Self-Idol Worship--March 1, 2011


Moses told the people not to make idols for themselves;
a greater temptation for us is to make idols OF ourselves.

With flattering lips we imagine our tongues will prevail;
make great boasts, as if we were masters of what we say.

(Even St. Paul was guilty of boasting, but he recognized
the problem—claimed no divine authority for his words.)

Jesus warned of wordless boasting, as when we disfigure
our faces to show we are so righteous it makes us suffer.

Dear God, make us realize there is no benefit in boasting;
you already know the good and bad, and love us anyway.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 12; 146; 36; 7
Deut. 4:15-24
2 Cor. 11:1-21a
Matt. 6:16-23

Selected Verses
Ps. 12:3-4
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
      the tongue that makes great boasts,
those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail;
      our lips are our own—who is our master?”

Deut. 4:15-16a
Since you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire, take care and watch yourselves closely, so that you do not act corruptly by making an idol for yourselves…

2 Cor. 11:17-18
What I am saying in regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying not with the Lord’s authority, but as a fool; since many boast according to human standards, I will also boast.

Matt. 6:16
“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. …” [Jesus to the crowds]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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