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.

Peace to Jerusalem--Sept. 28, 2013


 For the sake of the Palestinians in Jerusalem
I will say, "Peace be within you."

For the sake of the Jews in Jerusalem I say,
"It is to peace that God calls you."

For the sake of the Jerusalem Christians I say,
"Peace, pray for peace in the Holy City."

There have been terrible crimes in your city;
do not store up memories of them.

Just as moth and rust consume our treasures,
reciting grievances will consume us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63
2 Kings 11:1-20a
1 Cor. 7:10-24
Matt. 6:19-24

Selected Verses

Ps. 122:8
For the sake of my relatives and friends
          I will say, "Peace be within you."

2 Kings 11:1
Now when Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she set about to destroy all the royal family.

1 Cor. 7:15b
It is to peace that God has called you.

Matt. 6:19
"…Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal…"  [Jesus, preaching to the crowds on the mountain]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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