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 02, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 24, 25, 110
Amos 1:1-5, 13-2:8
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Luke 21:5-19

II. Selections
Psalm 25:9
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.

Amos 2:6
For three transgressions of Israel,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment;
because they sell the righteous for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals ...

1 Thessalonians 5:3
When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!

Luke 21:19
" ...By your endurance you will gain your souls. ... " [ Jesus]

III. Meditation: Grant us endurance

Spare us from self-satisfaction
and overweening self-confidence.

Make us humble, that we may know
what is right and learn your way.

Keep us from greed, and give us
empathy for the poor and needy.

In these things grant us endurance,
that we may gain our souls.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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