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 16, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 72, 80, 90
Isaiah 8:1-15
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
Luke 22:31-38

II. Selections
Psalm 90:8
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

Isaiah 8:13
But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

Luke 22:31
" ...Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail ... " [ Jesus to Peter]


III. Meditation: When we are sifted like wheat

Our iniquities are before you;
our secret sins are in your light.
You are the holy one and the one to fear,
you alone the one to hold in dread.

Pray for us, Lord Jesus,
when we are sifted like wheat,
that our faith may not fail.

O Lord of peace,
give us peace at all times
and in all ways,
and be with us.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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