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 19, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 57, 85
Ezekiel 7:27-28, 8:21-36
Revelation 20:7-15
Matthew 17:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 85:8
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Ezekiel 8:23
So we fasted and petitioned our God for [ protection], and he listened to our entreaty.

Revelation 20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them.

Matthew 17:2
And [ Jesus] was transfigured before [ Peter, James, and John], and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.

III. Meditation: Visions

Marvelous visions: Jesus transfigured,
dazzling his three favorite disciples;
you seated on a great white throne.

With such impressive records of your glory,
we ought to heed what you have to say,
for surely you will speak to your people.

Instead, we try to flee from your presence.
Then we entreat you to listen to us,
and to our plea for protection. How ironic!

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