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 14, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 16, 102, 130
Haggai 1:1-15
Revelation 2:18-29
Matthew 23:27-39

II. Selections
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope ...

Haggai 1:7
Thus says the LORD of hosts: consider how you have fared.

Revelation 2:25
" ...only hold fast to what you have until I come. ... " [ The Son of Man to the angel of the church in Thyatira]

Matthew 23:39
" ...For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' ... " [ Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees]

III. Meditation: We wait and we hope

We wait for you,
our soul waits;
we wait and hope
in your word.

We consider how
we have fared,
and we hold fast
to your word.

We wait for you
and bless you,
and we hope
in your word.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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