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 01, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 40, 67, 122
Isaiah 1:10-20
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Luke 20:1-8

II. Selections
Psalm 67:2
...that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.

Isaiah 1:16d-17
...cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
...remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 20:1a
One day, as [ Jesus] was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news ...

III. Meditation: To seek justice and rescue the oppressed

Make your people persistent in their work of faith
and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in Christ,
that your way may be known upon earth
and your saving power among all nations.

As Jesus taught people and told them the good news,
may we advocate against evil and teach what is good-
to seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan,
plea for the widow, and demonstrate your love for all.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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