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.


Your Kingdom--July 19, 2011

With what can we compare your kingdom?
It is a kingdom that may start in a small way,
like a mustard seed; but it grows and grows.

It is a kingdom to which we have access,
where we can find healing when we trust you
and when we call upon your name.

It is a kingdom in which believers assemble
to praise and thank you; to ask forgiveness;
to petition for help; and to express joys and sorrows.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86
1 Sam. 25:1-22
Acts 14:1-18
Mark 4:21-34

Selected Verses
Ps. 30:2
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
      and you have healed me.

1 Sam. 25:1a
Now Samuel died; and all Israel assembled and mourned for him. They buried him at his home in Ramah.

Acts 14:8-10
In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began to walk.

Mark 4:30
[Jesus] also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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