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.

Where Do We Find Happiness?--June 15, 2018



O Lord of hosts,
where do we find happiness?
What profit is there in searching for it
at the cost of losing everything important?
Help us to find it in work for the common good,
and may we never forget you, the one who created us,
for happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 84; 148; 25; 40
Eccl. 11:9-12:14
Gal. 5:25-6:10
Matt. 16:21-28

Selected Verses
Ps. 84:12
O LORD of hosts,
          happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Eccl. 12:1
Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them…"

Gal. 6:10
So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

Matt. 16:26
"…For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?  Or what will they give in return for their life?  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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