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.

Like a Lonely Bird--Dec. 11, 2020


O Jesus, like a lonely bird on the housetop, 

I lie awake; how long must I weary you

with my desire to be among the great,

whereas you were servant of all?

 

Lord Jesus, direct my heart 

to your steadfastness 

in God’s love.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 102; 148; 130; 16

Isa. 7:10-25

2 Thess. 2:13-3:5

Luke 22:14-30

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 102:7

I lie awake;
          I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.

 

Isa. 7:13

Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David!  Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also?  …”

 

2 Thess. 3:5

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

 

Luke 22:24, 27

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.  … “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?  Is it not the one at the table?  But I am among you as one who serves.  …”  [Jesus, to the apostles]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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