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.

If for the Sake of Appearance--Dec. 5, 2014


Forgive us, dear God, if for the sake of appearance
we say long prayers, yet fail to hear the groans of prisoners
and of those who are doomed to die; if we grind the face
of the poor, do not provide housing for the homeless--
if we do not show your love for us more and more
by showing our love for them.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 102; 148; 130; 16
Isa. 3:1-4:1
1 Thess. 4:1-12
Luke 20:41-21:4

Selected Verses
Ps. 102:20
…to hear the groans of the prisoners,
          to set free those who were doomed to die…

Isa. 3:15
What do you mean by crushing my people,
          by grinding the face of the poor? says the Lord GOD of hosts.

1 Thess. 4:10
…and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia.  But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more…

Luke 20:47
"…[The scribes] devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers.  They will receive the greater condemnation."  [Jesus to his disciples, in the hearing of all the people]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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