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.

At an Unexpected Hour--Dec. 17, 2013


 We do not know when you will come
and dwell in our midst,
or stand at the door and knock;
but it will be a time to sing and rejoice.
Let your steadfast love be upon us,
O Lord, even as we hope in you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 33; 146; 85; 94

Zech. 2:1-13
Rev. 3:14-22
Matt. 24:32-44

Selected Verses

Ps. 33:22
 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
          even as we hope in you.

Zech. 2:10
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!  For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the LORD.

Rev. 3:20
"…Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.  …"  [To the angel of the church in Laodicea]

Matt. 24:44
"…Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."  [Jesus to his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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