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.

January 13, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 29, 104, 150
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:29-34

II. Selections
Psalm 29:11
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Genesis 1:27
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the Lord and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places ...

John 1:32
And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on [ Jesus]. ... "

III. Meditation: Created in your image, blessed in Christ

You have created us in your image,
and you have blessed us in Christ,
upon whom your Spirit descended;
now give strength to your people,
and bless your people with peace.

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