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.

If Only…--Nov. 29, 2014

[From Dec. 1, 2012 archive]

If only we could recognize the things that make for peace!
If only we could find encouragement in Christ
and consolation in love and share in the Spirit.

Then our souls would be satisfied as with a rich feast,
and we would be of the same mind, having the same love,
being in full accord and of one mind--Holy to you, O God.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90
Zech. 14:12-21
Phil. 2:1-11
Luke 19:41-48

Selected Verses
Ps. 63:5
My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
          and my mouth praises you with joyful lips…

Zech. 14:20a
On that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, "Holy to the LORD."

Phil. 2:1-2
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Luke 19:41-42a
As [Jesus] came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! …"

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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