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.

Visions of Prophets--Dec. 21, 2018


You have spoken to us, dear God,
through the visions of many prophets.
Some saw condemnation because the worship
of the people was not sincere, while others
were carried away to see your glory.

Often when I honor you with my lips, O Lord,
my heart is far from you, and I speak by rote,
but let it be with me according to your word.
My soul waits for you; in your word I hope.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 102; 148; 130; 16
Isa. 29:9-24
Rev. 21:9-21
Luke 1:26-38

Selected Verses
Ps. 130:5
 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
          and in his word I hope…

Isa. 29:13
The Lord said:
Because these people draw near with their mouths
          and honor me with their lips,
          while their hearts are far from me,
and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote…

Rev. 21:10
And in the spirit [one of the seven angels] carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 

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.

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