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.

Mary, a Model of Good Works--Dec. 20, 2013


 We plead with you to be attentive to our supplications,
though we do not listen to your words for us.
We are full of arrogance, proud talk;
your interest is in our actions.

May Mary in her integrity
be our model of good works:
"Here am I, the servant of the Lord;
let it be with me according to your word."

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 102; 148; 130; 16
1 Sam. 2:1b-10
Titus 2:1-10
Luke 1:26-38

Selected Verses

Ps. 130:2b
 Let your ears be attentive
          to the voice of my supplications!

1 Sam. 2:3
"…Talk no more so very proudly,
            let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
            and by him actions are weighed.  …"  [Hannah's prayer]

Titus 2:7-8b
Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured…

Luke 1:38
Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."  Then the angel departed from her.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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