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 24, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 100, 122
Nehemiah 7:73b-8:3, 5-18
Revelation 22:14-21
Matthew 18:21-35

II. Selections
Psalm 122:6-7
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers."

Nehemiah 8:10
Then [ Nehemiah-or Ezra?] said to the people, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say,
"Come."
And let everyone who hears say,
"Come."
And let everyone who is thirsty
come.
Let anyone who wishes take the
water of life as a gift.

Matthew 18:33
" ...Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave as I had mercy on you? ... " [ In Jesus' parable, the king to the unforgiving slave]

III. Meditation: We will not be grieved

We pray for your coming,
and for peace and security;

we find strength in your joy,
and take as a gift the water of life;

we go our way, eat the fat
and drink sweet wine; and

share these gifts with others;
we forgive as you forgave us.

And we will not be grieved, for
we will pray for your coming.

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