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.


Hard to Believe, Difficult to Accept--June 16, 2012

(From June 12, 2004 archive)
The psalmist speaks for many, praising you
with joyful lips for your help and protection.
Then when we read Nadab and Abihu died
for offering unholy fire before you,
we find it difficult to believe or accept.

We know that Jesus was killed for doing
good, as were John the Baptist and Paul.
Because done at the hands of cruel men, this is
easier to believe, but—considering the godliness
of the victims—even more difficult to accept.

As we seek shelter in the shadow of your wings,
remind us that though suffering and death
may be the price of following you,
you are with us even then.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90
Num. 3:1-13
Gal. 6:11-18
Matt. 17:1-13

Selected Verses
Ps. 63:5-7
My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
      and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
      and mediate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
      and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

Num. 3:4a
Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered illicit fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children.

Gal. 6:17
From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.

Matt. 17:11-12
[Jesus] replied [to Peter, James, and John], “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.”
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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