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.

Alas, Who Shall Live?--July 5, 2014

[From July 7, 2012 archive]

As we look to global climate change,
attendant famine, war, and other
calamities, we wonder,
who shall live?

Can creation itself be set free from its bondage
to decay; will all your children obtain
the freedom that they deserve?

We know that we must work and pray,
doing our part to prevent disaster
and provide disaster relief.

As we work, and before we despair, remind us--
we must not lose sight of your power and
glory, as we find them in scripture.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63
Numb. 24:12-25
Rom. 8:18-25
Matt. 22:23-40

Selected Verses
Ps. 63:2
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
          beholding your power and glory.

Numb. 24:23
Again [Balak] uttered his oracle, saying: "Alas, who shall live when God does this?  …"

Rom. 8:20c-21
…in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Matt. 22:29
Jesus answered [the Sadducees], "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.  …"
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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