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 I Have Eaten My Fill--May 7, 2013


 Father of lights,
with whom there is
no variation in goodness,

we have asked for an egg;
you have given us much more;
you have given us your Holy Spirit.

When I have eaten my fill,
forbid that I should ever forget--
you, O God, brought us out of slavery.

Return, O my soul,
to your rest, but remember
who has dealt bountifully with you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116
Deut. 8:11-20
James 1:16-27
Luke 11:1-13

Selected Verses

Ps. 116:7
 Return, O my soul, to your rest,
          for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

Deut. 8:12, 14
When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them …then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery …

James 1:17
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Luke 11:13
"…Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  [Jesus to his disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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