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.


To Be Clothed in Festal Apparel--Dec. 14, 2011



God, I do not ask that a door in heaven be left
open for me--I know my filthy garments.
I only ask you to take away my guilt
and to clothe me in festal apparel.

That much, and this one thing more--
even when you are absent from me
make me faithful to do your will;
let me do so with thanksgiving.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 50; 147:1-11; 53; 17
Zech. 3:1-10
Rev. 4:1-8
Matt. 24:45-51

Selected Verses
Ps. 50:23
"…Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me;
      to those who go the right way
      I will show the salvation of God."
           [God to the wicked]

Zech. 3:4
The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." And to [Joshua] he said, "See, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you with festal apparel."

Rev. 4:1a
After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open!

Matt. 24:45
" …Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. …" [Jesus to his disciples]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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