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 06, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 18:1-20; 62, 126
Amos 4:6-13
2 Peter 3:11-18
Matthew 21:33-46

II. Selections
Psalm 126:1
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.

Amos 4:13
For lo, the one who forms the mountains, creates the wind,
reveals his thoughts to mortals,
makes the morning darkness,
and treads on the heights of the earth-
the LORD, the God of hosts, is his name!

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Matthew 21:45
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard [ Jesus'] parables, they realized that he was speaking about them.

III. Meditation: You are the one

You are the one who forms the mountains,
creates the wind, reveals your thoughts to us,

makes the morning darkness, and treads
on the heights of the earth-you are God!

When we endure hardship, and you
restore our fortunes, it is like a dream.

Grant that we may grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.

To help us grow, open our ears to your Word,
so that we recognize when it applies to us.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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