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.

Why Should You Care, God?--Jan. 1, 2017


Creator God, when we consider the wonders of the universe,
what are we human beings, that you are mindful of us?
What are we mortals, that you should care for us?
Yet you have redeemed us, sending your Son,
who was tested by suffering (and is able
to help us when we are tested) and
who will save us from our sin.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 150; 99; 8
Isa. 62:6-7, 10-12
Heb. 2:10-18
Matt. 1:18-25

Selected Verses
Ps. 8:3-4
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
          the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
          mortals that you care for them?

Isa. 62:12
They shall be called, “The Holy People,
          The Redeemed of the LORD”;
and you shall be called, “Sought Out,
          A City Not Forsaken.”
[The LORD's proclamation for daughter Zion]

Heb. 2:18
Because [Jesus] himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Matt. 1:21
"…She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  [An angel of the Lord, to Joseph]

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