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.

Gladness That Silver Cannot Buy--Aug. 17, 2022

[From Aug. 21, 2018 archive]

 

When we think we have lost everything, 

that we have nothing left, 

remind us, dear God, of the child's lunch

with which you fed a multitude.

Gracious God, put gladness in our hearts,

gladness that silver cannot buy.

 

Lectionary Readings                                                          

Ps. 15; 147:1-11; 48; 4

Judg. 18:16-31

Acts 8:14-25

John 6:1-15

 

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 4:7

You have put gladness in my heart 
          more than when their grain and wine abound.

 

Judges 18:24a

[Micah] replied [to the Danites, “You take my gods that I made, and the priest, and go away, and what have I left?  …” 

 

Acts 8:20

But Peter said to [Simon], “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money!  …”

 

John 6:8-9

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to [Jesus], “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.  But what are they among so many people?” 


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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