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 26, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 9, 62, 73
Joel 3:1-2, 9-17
1 Peter 1:1-12
Matthew 19:1-12

II. Selections
Psalm 9:10
And those who know your name put their trust in you
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Joel 3:15
The sun and the moon are darkened,
and the stars withdraw their shining.

1 Peter 1:2
...who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Matthew 19:6
" ...So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." [ Jesus, to Pharisees who asked him about divorce]

III. Meditation: When the sun and the moon are darkened

When the sun and the moon are darkened,
when the stars withdraw their shining,
when what you have joined together
has become separated, we turn to you.

You have not forsaken those who seek you,
those who know your name and trust in you.
You have chosen us, sanctified us to obedience;
now in your abundance give us grace and peace.

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