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.

February 07, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 102, 126
Habakkuk 3:1-18
Philippians 3:12-21
John 17:1-8

II. Selections
Psalm 126:2
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."

Habakkuk 3:2
O LORD, I have heard of your renown,
and I stand in awe, O LORD, of your work.
In our own time revive it;
in our own time make it known;
in wrath may you remember mercy.

Philippians 3:19
Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.

John 17:4
" ...I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. ... " [ Jesus praying for his disciples]

III. Meditation: Work you have given us to do

Our plea to you:
We have heard of your renown; we
stand in awe of your work. We have
heard that you have done great things;
mouths were filled with laughter, tongues
with shouts of joy. In our own time show us
your mercy, and not your wrath, O God, we pray.

Your answer:
Jesus glorified me on earth, finishing
the work I gave him to do. When your
minds are set on earthly things, and your
god is the belly, your glory is in your shame.
Give thanks for everything you have received,
and be faithful to the work I have given you to do.

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