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 05, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 33, 85, 94
Isaiah 1:21-31
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Luke 20:9-18

II. Selections
Psalm 33:10
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

Isaiah 1:27
Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

1 Thessalonians 2:2
...but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition.

Luke 20:13
" ...Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.' ... " [ Jesus, telling the parable of the wicked tenants]

III. Meditation: Our plans, your plans

We make our plans,
but your plans are different,
and your plans prevail.

Give us courage in you
to work for your plans,
even in the face of persecution.

Remind us of your persistence:
how when all else failed,
you sent Jesus to suffer and die.

Lead us to repentance,
that through the righteousness of Jesus
we may be redeemed by justice.

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