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.

November 11, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 32, 130, 139
Nehemiah 12:27-31a, 42b-47
Revelation 19:11-16
Matthew 16:13-20

II. Selections
Psalm 130:7-8
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

Nehemiah 12:43
They offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. The joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.

Revelation 19:13
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God.

Matthew 16:13
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

III. Meditation: Two images
Some say that you are an avenger of evil, clothed in a robe dipped in blood. Those who hold this view either cringe in fear or eagerly wait for your vengeance to strike down their enemies. Some say that with you there is steadfast love and great power to redeem. This outlook leads to hope and a joy that can be heard far away, and it is how I think of you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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