Meditations

Become Participants in the Divine Nature

This meditation is based on a passage for December 13, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: 2 Peter 1:1-11 Reflection and Question: When this sermon was written, it was the custom to claim the authorship of a prominent person in order […]
Read More »

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease

This meditation is based on a passage for December 12, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: John 3:22-30 www.npen.org/wp-content/gallery/rslider/ Reflection and Question: I love John the Baptist. At the most basic level, he is my model for ministry. I take to […]
Read More »

This Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Me

This meditation is based on a passage for December 11, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Luke 22:31-38 Reflection and Question: All through Advent we visit places in the Old Testament that are connected to Jesus, his birth and death. In […]
Read More »

A Young Woman is With Child

This meditation is based on a passage for December 10, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Isaiah 7:10-25 Reflection and Question: This is one of the lesser known passages drawn upon by the first followers of Jesus to explain who He […]
Read More »

That Day Will Not Come Unless

This meditation is based on a passage for December 9, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Reflection and Question: This is another attempt to speak to the prevalent expectation among the early Christians that Jesus’ coming, the day […]
Read More »

Make the Mind of This People Dull

This meditation is based on a passage for December 8, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Isaiah 6:1-13 Reflection and Question: This passage is best known for the song of the seraphim and Isaiah’s giving of himself to God with the […]
Read More »

Your Consolations Cheer My Soul

This meditation is based on a passage for December 7, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Psalm 94 Reflection and Question: Far from a psalm of sweetness and light, this is baleful cry for God’s justice understood as vengeful judgment against […]
Read More »

Therefore Encourage and Build Up One Another

This meditation is based on a passage for December 6, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Reflection and Question: The notion that Jesus’ return would be soon and would come “like a thief in the night” was clearly […]
Read More »

Wisdom is Vindicated by All Her Children

This meditation is based on a passage for December 5, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Luke 7:28-35 Reflection and Question: It makes sense that John the Baptist is very present in the lectionary texts during Advent. After all, John announced […]
Read More »

Give the King Your Justice, O God

This meditation is based on a passage for December 4, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993). Text: Psalm 72 Reflection and Question: It can be difficult to make sense of this poetic tribute to the good king in our time, since it […]
Read More »