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.

Divided Before You--June 24, 2018


[From June 24, 2012 archive]

Lord Jesus, you said you would bring division;
and you know we are divided--
your church is rife with division and debate.

Each side is certain they are right, each side
convinced the stubborn-hearted
should listen to your voice and submit to you.

We all agree that if we proceed without you,
go on transgressing your word,
we will not succeed, but will be struck down.

So why do others follow their own counsels?
Do you expect us to bring peace?
To bow before you and consider if we are wrong?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113
Num. 14:26-45
Acts 15:1-12
Luke 12:49-56

Selected Verses
Ps. 81:11-12
"…But my people did not listen to my voice;
          Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
          to follow their own counsels.  …"

Num. 14:41-42
But Moses said [to the Israelites], "Why do you continue to transgress the command of the LORD?  That will not succeed.  Do not go up, for the LORD is not with you; do not let yourselves be struck down before your enemies.  …"

Acts 15:2
And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with [the advocates of circumcision], Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders.

Luke 12:51
"…Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth?  No, I tell you, but rather division!  …"  [Jesus, apparently to his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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