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.

When We Lie Awake at Night--Dec. 13, 2013


 O God, you are the one who searches minds and hearts.
We live in paneled houses, but like a lonely bird
on the housetop, we lie awake at night.
Is not the day to come when you
will say that our house is
left to us, desolate?
Yet all along you
desire to gather us under
your wings, and we are not willing!

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 102; 148; 130; 16

Hag. 1:1-15
Rev. 2:18-29
Matt. 23:27-39

Selected Verses

Ps. 102:7
 I lie awake;
          I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.

Hag. 1:4
Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while [The LORD's] house lies in ruins?

Rev. 2:23b
And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.

Matt. 23:37b-38
"…How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  See, your house is left to you, desolate.  …"  [Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)