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.

Known by Our Fruitfulness?--May 16, 2020


We are known by the work we do,
and by the fruit it bears.

And it feels good to be fruitful—
even in old age, it does.

We don’t want to burden others,
and we toil hard not to.

But God, teach us how and when
to rest in your presence.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Lev. 23:23-44
2 Thess. 3:1-18
Matt. 7:13-21

Selected Verses
Ps. 92:14
In old age [the righteous] still produce fruit;
          they are always green and full of sap…

Lev. 23:28
…and you shall do no work during that entire day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God.  [The LORD, to Moses]

2 Thess. 3:8
…and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you.

Matt. 7:15-16
“…Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?  …”  [Jesus, to the crowds on the mountain]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

2 comments:

  1. Mea SententiaMay 16, 2020 at 8:36 AM

    I visited a woman on hospice care yesterday whose chief regret is no longer being able to mow her lawn. But she feels blessed to be able to stay in the same house she’s has lived in all her life, and to be cared for by loving family.

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  2. Elmer E. EwingMay 16, 2020 at 2:11 PM

    Touching insights into the multitude of forms in which fruitfulness may be manifested—the woman’s, hospice care’s, and, by the way, yours.

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