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.

When God Expects Justice--Dec. 9, 2018



Lord God of hosts,
you expect justice, but the world
is full of bloodshed; righteousness,
but the persecuted cry out for mercy.

Lead your people in what is right;
humble us to receive your wisdom;
for when we receive and practice it,
we will learn how right it is for us.

As we grow in grace and knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ, teach us
to pray and work for a new world,
where righteousness is at home.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 24; 150; 25; 110
Isa. 5:1-7
2 Peter 3:11-18
Luke 7:28-35

Selected Verses
Ps. 25:9
He leads the humble in what is right,
          and teaches the humble his way. 

Isa. 5:7
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts
          is the house of Israel,
and the people of Judah
          are his pleasant planting;
he expected justice,
          but saw bloodshed;
righteousness,
          but heard a cry!

2 Peter 3:13,18a
But, in accordance with [God's] promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Luke 7:35
"…Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children."  [Jesus, to his disciples, in the hearing of all the people]

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