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.


Hemmed in to Choose--Feb. 5, 2012



You hem us in, behind and before,
and we must make choices.

Rebekah, perhaps swayed by riches,
chose Isaac over staying home.

We must decide whether to be like
ordinary utensils or special ones,
ready for every good work.

And if we have many possessions, must
decide whether our love for them
outweighs our love for you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139
Gen. 24:50-67
2 Tim. 2:14-21
Mark 10:13-22

Selected Verses
Ps. 139:5
You hem me in, behind and before,
     and lay your hand upon me.

Gen. 24:57-58
[Rebekah’s mother and brother said, "We will call the girl, and ask her." And they called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will."

2 Tim. 2:20-21
In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.

Mark 10:21-22
Jesus, looking at [the man who had asked about eternal life], loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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