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.

In the Presence of My Enemies--June 1, 2019

[From June 4, 2011 archive]

Often I find myself in the presence of my enemies--
my own hard forehead and my own stubborn heart
and my desire to be recognized as the greatest--

enemies that have no place at the table you prepare.
Jesus, if you learned obedience through suffering,
pray teach me to be obedient; must I suffer, too?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Ezek. 3:4-17
Heb. 5:7-14
Luke 9:37-50

Selected Verses
Ps. 23:5a
You prepare a table before me
          in the presence of my enemies…

Ezek. 3:7
But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me; because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.  [The LORD speaking to the prophet]

Heb. 5:8
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered…

Luke 9:46
An argument arose among [the disciples] as to which one of them was the greatest.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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