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 Clothe Ourselves with Love--Jan. 3, 2016


We thank you, God of steadfast love,
for your wonderful works to humankind.

And we thank you that we can learn from you to
come to Jesus, and from him to learn more about you.

No matter how good our intentions may be, before we begin
to carry them out, teach us to clothe ourselves with love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 111; 150; 107; 15
1 Kings 3:5-14
Col. 3:12-17
John 6:41-47

Selected Verses
Ps. 107:15
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
            for his wonderful works to humankind.

1 Kings 3:5a
"…So I intend to build a house for the LORD my God…"  [King Solomon to King Hiram]

Col. 3:14
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

John 6:45
"It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.'  Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.  …"  [Jesus to those who had been complaining about him]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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