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, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 9, 62, 73
Zechariah 10:1-12
Galatians 6:1-10
Luke 18:15-30

II. Selections
Psalm 62:11-12a
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O LORD.

Zechariah 10:6
I will strengthen the house of Judah,
and I will save the house of Joseph.
I will bring them back because I have compassion on them,
and they shall be as though I had not rejected them;
for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.

Galatians 6:2
Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Luke 18:16
But Jesus called for [ the infants] and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ... "

III. Meditation: Power and compassion

Power and compassion belong to you, O God-
power to strengthen your people,
compassion to forgive their sin.

Your compassion extends especially
to those who lack all power,
even little children.

Grant us some part of your power and compassion,
that we may help bear
the burdens of others.

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