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 26, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 90, 125
Micah 7:11-20
1 Peter 4:7-19
Matthew 20:29-34

II. Selections
Psalm 125:5
But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways
the LORD will lead away with evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel!

Micah 7:15
As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvelous things.

1 Peter 4:9-10
Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

Matthew 20:31
The crowd sternly ordered [ the two blind men] to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!"

III. Meditation: Good stewards of your manifold grace
We confess that we have turned aside to our own crooked ways-do not lead us away with evildoers. The crowd may not approve; but ever more loudly we shout to you, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!" As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvelous things. Help us be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of your manifold grace, may we serve one another with whatever gift each of us has received. Peace be upon your people!

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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