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.

If We Ask for a Sign--Dec. 10, 2010

God, if we ask for a sign,
what sign will you show us?
You will show us the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We pray you, direct our hearts to your love,
and to the steadfastness of Christ, who is
among us as the one who serves.

When we follow his path of
service, we experience
the fullness of joy.
And we need no
other sign.

Lectionary Readings
Psalms 102, 148, 130, 16
Isaiah 7:10-25
2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
Luke 22:14-30

Selected Verses
Psalm16:11
You show me the path of life.
      In your presence there is fullness of joy;
      in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Isaiah 7:11
Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.

2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Luke 22:27c
“…But I am among you as the one who serves. … ” [Jesus to the apostles]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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