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.

Prepare the Way of the Lord--Dec. 16, 2020

 

God of Grace and Mercy,

leaders make us go astray,

and leave us in confusion.

 

They close their hearts to pity;

with their mouths speak arrogantly;

in greed exploit us with deceptive words.

 

Long ago you sent a leader who was true.

In our wilderness he cries out to us,

“Prepare the way of the Lord.”

 

Pray help us prepare 

our hearts.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 50; 147:1-11; 53; 17

Isa. 9:8-17

2 Peter 2:1-10a

Mark 1:1-8

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 17:10

They close their hearts to pity;

          with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

 

Isa. 9:16

…for those who led this people led them astray,
     and those who were led by them were left in confusion.

 

2 Peter 2:3a

And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words.

 

Mark 1:2

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
     “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
          who will prepare your way…”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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