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.


When Divisions Arise--Oct. 4, 2011


Do not hide your face from us
in the day of our distress.

We think evil in our hearts,
and divisions arise among us.

Grant that we may inquire of you,
concerning your words to us;

and grant that we may obey
the words that we discern.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 42; 146; 102; 133
2 Kings 22:1-13
1 Cor. 11:2-22
Matt. 9:1-18

Selected Verses
Ps. 102:2
Do not hide your face from me
      in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
      answer me speedily in the day when I call.

2 Kings 22:12-13
Then [King Josiah] commanded the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary, and the king’s servant Asaiah, saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our ancestors did not obey the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."

1 Cor. 11:18
For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it.

Matt. 9:3-4
Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? …"
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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