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.

A Lamp and a Signal--Dec. 19, 2010

John the Baptist was like a burning and shining lamp;
many were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

Then Jesus came; he was a signal to the peoples;
the nations inquired of him, glorified his name.

Countless followers of Jesus testified to him,
even were willing to suffer death for him.

I am not like any of these; I pray, make
me humble, that you may teach me.

Lectionary Readings
Psalms 24, 150, 25, 110
Isaiah 11:10-16
Revelation 20:1-10
John 5:30-47

Selected Verses
Psalm25:9
He leads the humble in what is right,
      and teaches the humble his way.

Isaiah 11:10
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Revelation 20:4b
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God.

John 5:35
“…[John] was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. … ” [Jesus to those who were angry enough to kill him]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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