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 24, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 26, 116, 130
Zephaniah 3:1-13
1 Peter 2:11-25
Matthew 20:1-16

II. Selections
Psalm 130:3
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand? ;

Zephaniah 3:2
[ The city] has listened to no voice;
it has accepted no correction.
It has not trusted in the LORD;
it has not drawn near to its God.

1 Peter 2:23
When he was abused, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.

Matthew 20:15
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?

III. Meditation: If you should mark
When Jesus was abused, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. Dare we entrust ourselves to your judgment? Your people have listened to no voice; we have accepted no correction. We have not trusted in you; we have not drawn near to our God. You have the right to do what you choose with what belongs to you; but if you, O God, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? In the name of Jesus, be generous.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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