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.

The First, Last; the Last, First--Nov. 29, 2017

We dare not take life for granted, God,
for our lives take surprising turns.

The downtrodden are lifted up,
the wicked cast to the ground;
the way we have treated others
may be the way we are treated;
those who received no mercy
may finally receive mercy;
many who once were first
will be last, the last first.
Whatever comes to us,
be with us, Lord.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 96; 147:1-11; 132; 134
Obad. 15-21
1 Peter 2:1-10
Matt. 19:23-30

Selected Verses
Ps. 147:6
The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
          he casts the wicked to the ground.

Obad. 15
For the day of the LORD is near against all the nations.
     As you have done, it shall be done to you;
          your deeds shall return on your own head. 

1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Matt. 19:30
"…But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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