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.


Authority for What?--Dec. 17, 2011



Some think if they praise you in their throats--
while they kill with sword, famine, and pestilence--
they have authority to execute vengeance
on the nations, punishment on the peoples.

You have given authority to all who will accept it--
authority to speak truth to one another,
to pursue justice in ways that make for peace.

Also authority to feed the hungry,
give drink to the thirsty,
welcome the stranger,
clothe the naked,
care for the sick,
and visit those in prison.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 90; 149; 80; 72
Zech. 8:9-17
Rev. 6:1-17
Matt. 25:31-46

Selected Verses
Ps. 149:6-7
Let the high praises of God be in their throats
      and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations
      and punishment on the peoples

Zech. 8:16
These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace…

Rev. 6:8
I looked, and there was a pale green horse! Its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth.

Matt. 25:35-36
"'…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. …'" [In Jesus' parable, the king to those on his right hand]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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