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.


Broken Like a Potter's Vessel--Dec. 28, 2011



We have caused others to stumble. Forgive us, Lord.
Do not hide your face from us, but have compassion,
for you are our Redeemer.

If we lay plans apart from you, they turn into broken
pieces, like a potter's vessel dashed by a rod of iron.
Teach us to wait for you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 2; 147:1-11; 110; 111
Isa. 49:13-23
Isa. 54:1-13
Matt. 18:1-14

Selected Verses
Ps. 2:9
"…You shall break them with a rod of iron,
      and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel."
[The LORD to his son]

Isa. 49:23c
Then you will know that I am the LORD;
      those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.

Isa. 54:8
In overflowing wrath for a moment
      I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,
      says the LORD, your Redeemer.

Matt. 18:6
"…If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. …" [Jesus to his disciples]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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