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 15, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 72, 80, 90
Haggai 2:1-9
Revelation 3:1-6
Matthew 24:1-14

II. Selections
Psalm 72:12
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.

Haggai 2:8
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts.

Revelation 3:3a
" ...Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. ... " [ The Son of Man to the angel of the church in Sardis]

Matthew 24:2b
" ...You see all these [ buildings of the temple], do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down." [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: Of earthly things

Earthly things are important to you
because you care for the needy and
poor, and those who have no helper.

Yet earthly things are short lived.
Even the temple did not endure;
all its stones were thrown down.

We value silver and gold, and we are
proud when we give them to you,
but silver and gold are yours already.

More important than silver and gold
is what we have received and heard
from you. Help us repent and obey.

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