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.

Crumbs from Your Table, Jesus--Nov. 9, 2021

[From Nov. 12, 2019 archive]

 

Lord Jesus,

we lift our eyes to you.

The crumbs from your table, 

are far better food for our spirits

than are all the dainties and splendor 

for which our souls have longed.

Set us free to enjoy the fruit

of the land you give us.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86

Neh. 9:26-38 

Rev. 18:9-20

Matt. 15:21-28

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 123:1

To you I lift up my eyes,
          O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

 

Neh. 9:36

“…Here we are, slaves to this day—slaves in the land that you gave to our ancestors to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts.  …”  [From Ezra’s prayer]

 

Rev. 18:14

“The fruit for which your soul longed
          has gone from you,
and all your dainties and your splendor
          are lost to you,
          never to be found again!”

 

Matt. 15:27

[The Canaanite mother] said [to Jesus], “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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