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 27, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 24, 25, 110
Amos 1:1-5, 13-2:8
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Luke 21:5-19

II. Selections
Psalm 25:7
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness' sake, O LORD!

Amos 2:6
Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals ...

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.

Luke 21:7
They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"

III. Meditation: Awake or asleep
You said that you would not revoke your people's punishment, because they sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. We wonder, when will our day of judgment come and what will be the sign that it is about to take place? Do not remember the sins of our youth or our transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember us, for your goodness' sake, O God! For you have destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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