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.

In the Presence of My Enemies--May 11, 2013


[from June 4, 2011 archive]

Often I find myself in the presence of my enemies—
my own hard forehead and my own stubborn heart
and my desire to be recognized as the greatest—

enemies that have no place at the table you prepare.
Jesus, if you learned obedience through suffering,
pray teach me to be obedient; must I suffer, too?

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Ezek. 3:4-17
Heb. 5:7-14
Luke 9:37-50

Selected Verses

Ps. 23:5a
You prepare a table before me
          in the presence of my enemies…

Ezek. 3:7
But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me; because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.  [The LORD speaking to the prophet]

Hebrews 5:8
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered…

Luke 9:46
An argument arose among [the disciples] as to which one of them was the greatest.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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