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.

Treasure in Clay Jars--May 28, 2021

[From May 29, 2015 archive]

 

Dear readers, this marks the 6,000th day that I have posted here.  You will have noted that when I am going to be away from the computer, or when I am sorely pressed for time, I resurrect a post from the archives. Thus the count is inflated, but I have posted something daily since February 12, 2004.  It all goes to prove that I don’t know how to get out of a rut.

            My 90th birthday approaches in September, and my to-do list lengthens.  I have decided that at least for a few weeks, I will post only from the archives.  Most of the time, I have many selections from which to choose, and when I don’t find any that suit me, I will prepare from scratch.  But be forewarned, and please let me know how it is working for you.

            Another change is that I am starting to make introductory comments.  I want to do that today, because the lectionary includes passages that are especially precious: the Ten Commandments, Paul’s words about treasure in clay jars, Jesus’ stricture against serving two masters, and Psalm 139 — one of my four favorite psalms (in spite of verses 19-22).

                

O God, you search us 

and are acquainted 

with all our ways. 

 

Yet, were it not for you, 

we would have no freedom. 

 

Keep us faithful in small matters, 

that we may stay faithful in large ones. 

 

Put your treasure in the clay jars of our lives, 

and--whatever good happens--yours be the glory. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 130; 148; 32; 139

Deut. 5:1-22

2 Cor. 4:1-12

Luke 16:10-18

 

Selected Verses 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 139:3 

You search out my path and my lying down, 
          and are acquainted with all my ways. 

 

Deut. 5:6 

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery… 

 

2 Cor. 4:7 

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 

 

Luke 16:10 

"…Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]

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Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

2 comments:

  1. Mea SententiaMay 28, 2021 at 3:38 PM

    Congratulations on 6000! Quite an example of faithfulness to a practice and attentiveness to the word. Let us know when your 90th comes so that we can celebrate with you. Peace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elmer E. EwingMay 28, 2021 at 10:27 PM

    Thank you, Chris. (I need to remind myself, though, that Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, not to count them.)

    ReplyDelete

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