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.

A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving--Dec. 1, 2021

[From Nov. 30, 2011 archive]

 

You are a patient God;

you want all to come to repentance,

but we who live in ivory houses try your patience.

 

We say we do not know what you want us to do

to honor you, though you tell us plainly— 

bring thanksgiving as our sacrifice.

 

We ask which is more essential:

to sacrifice our luxuries

or to give thanks?

 

Forgive us, 

still we miss the point;

not either or, but both together.

 

Lectionary Readings 

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

Amos 3:12-4:5

2 Peter 3:1-10

Matt. 21:23-32 

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 50:23

“…Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me;

            to those who go the right way

            I will show the salvation of God.”

 

Amos 3:15

“…I will tear down the winter house as well as the summer house; 

            and the houses of ivory shall perish,

            and the great houses shall come to an end.  …”

                        [God the LORD judging his people]

 

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

 

Matt. 21:27a

So [the chief priests and elders] answered Jesus, “We do not know.”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)