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.

Hiding Among the Baggage--June 27, 2011


Jesus, it is painful when you turn and look at us,
for in our hearts we know we have betrayed you.

We belong to a stiff-necked people, forever opposing the Spirit.
We ignore your call to service, hiding ourselves in the baggage.

Open our hearts and ears to your call; awaken us—we
will answer with gladness and sing to your goodness.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 57; 145; 85; 47
1 Sam. 10:17-27
Acts 7:44-8:1a
Luke 22:52-62

Selected Verses
Ps. 57:7c-8a
I will sing and make melody.
     Awake, my soul!

1 Sam. 10:21b-22
Finally [Samuel] brought the family of the Matrites near man by man, and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the LORD, “Did the man come here?” and the LORD said, “See, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

Acts 7:51
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. …” [Stephen in testimony before the council]

Luke 22:61
The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”



Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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