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 17, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 72, 80, 90
Zechariah 8:9-17
Revelation 6:1-17
Matthew 25:31-46

II. Selections
Psalm 90:5-6
You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning;
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

Zechariah 8:13
Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.

Revelation 6:5
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

Matthew 25:39
And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?

III. Meditation: A cursing or a blessing
If you measure our lives on a pan balance, they are too light. We have not visited you when you were sick or in prison. You sweep us away; we are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. So we deserve; but in your mercy, where we have been a cursing, save us and make us a blessing. Take away our fear, and let our hands be strong-strong to serve you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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