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 23, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 96, 132, 134
Obadiah 15-21
1 Peter 2:1-10
Matthew 19:23-30

II. Selections
Psalms 96:1
O sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Obadiah 15a
For the day of the LORD is near against all the nations.

1 Peter 2:1-2
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation ...

Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

III. Meditation: A new song
Your day is near against all the nations-a day when many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. You call all the earth to sing a new song, a song we shall learn when we rid ourselves of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, help us long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it we may grow into salvation-singing a new song.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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