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.

Without Waiting for Signs and Wonders--Jan. 8, 2011

O all-seeing God, you see what I do with my wealth;
you know of my poverty, even though I am rich;
and it displeases you when you see injustice.

Make me strong, let my heart take courage;
even though I am willing to wait for you, may I
work for justice without waiting for signs or wonders.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 46, 149, 27, 93
Isa. 59:15b-21
Rev. 2:8-17
John 4:46-54

Selected Verses
Ps. 27:14
Wait for the LORD;
      be strong, and let your heart take courage;
      wait for the LORD!

Isa. 59:15b
The LORD saw it, and it displeased him
      that there was no justice.

Rev. 2:9a
“I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. …” [Words of one like the Son of Man, to the angel of the church in Smyrna]

John 4:46-54
Then Jesus said to [the royal official whose son was at the point of death], “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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