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.

December 10, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 72, 80, 90
Haggai 2:1-9
Revelation 3:1-6
Matthew 24:1-14

II. Selections
Psalm 90:3
You turn us back to dust,
and say, "Turn back, you mortals."

Haggai 2:5b
My spirit abides among you; do not fear.

Revelation 3:2
Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God.

Matthew 24:2b
" ...Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."

III. Meditation: Between the mortal and the eternal
You remind us of our mortality, but also of your eternal nature. We will turn back to dust, and our plans will be turned back, too, for we are mortal. Our mightiest structures will fall, their stones thrown down. Yet there is no need for fear or distress, for you are eternal, and your Spirit abides with us. Meanwhile, between the temporal and the eternal, we live. Wake us up, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for our works are far from perfect in your sight.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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