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.

What Are Human Beings?--Jan. 1, 2022

 

What are we, O God, that you are mindful of us?

Why do you seek us out, or take pleasure in us?

 

And why did you send us Jesus: Emmanuel—

God with us—King of kings, Lord of lords?

 

We do not know, 

but we are glad in you,

for you have redeemed us; 

we want to be your people.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 98; 149; 99; 8

Isaiah 62:1-5, 10-12

Rev. 19:11-16

Matt. 1:18-25

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 8:4

…what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
          mortals that you care for them?


Ps. 149:4

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
          he adorns the humble with victory.

 

Isaiah 62:12

They shall be called, “The Holy People,

          The Redeemed of the LORD”;

and you shall be called, “Sought Out,

          A City Not Forsaken.”

 

Rev. 19:16

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, "King of kings and Lord of lords."

 

Matt. 1:22-23

All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

2 comments:

  1. JoMaeJanuary 1, 2022 at 11:30 PM

    Wishing you God's blessings in 2022 and sending thanks for your faithful posting of these meditations. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elmer E. EwingJanuary 2, 2022 at 1:14 AM

    JoMae, that is very kind of you. I thank you for reading my posts, and may God bless you, too, and lead us all into the new year.

    ReplyDelete

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