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.

A Table Prepared for All--July 7, 2013


You have prepared a table before us,
invited all to come, good and bad.
All are welcome at the banquet,
the room is filled with guests.

Jonathan didn't die, but Jesus did.
The people ransomed Jonathan,
but Jesus died for the people;
he proved your love for all.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 108; 150; 66; 23
1 Sam. 14:36-45
Rom. 5:1-11
Matt. 22:1-14

Selected Verses

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

1 Sam. 14:45
So the people ransomed Jonathan, and he did not die.

Rom. 5:8
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Matt. 22:1-14
Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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