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.

Send Us Home from War--Sept. 8, 2013


 God, your kingdom rules over all,
but the peoples imagine vain things.
We have seen the works that Jesus did
and how he taught love and forgiveness.

He taught reconciliation with our enemies,
and not to fight with our kindred.
Send us home from war;
peace is from you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139
1 Kings 12:21-33
Acts 4:18-31
John 10:31-42

Selected Verses

Ps. 103:19
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
          and his kingdom rules over all.

1 Kings 12:24
“Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up or fight against your kindred the people of Israel.  Let everyone go home, for this thing is from me.”  [God speaking through Shemaiah]

Acts 4:25
"…it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
     ‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
          and the peoples imagine vain things?…'"  [The people give thanks for the release of Peter and John]

John 10: 37-38a
"…If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me.  But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works…"  [Jesus to those who wanted to stone him for blasphemy]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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