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.

When Our Words Are Mischief and Deceit--July 24, 2014


Forgive us, Lord Jesus, when the words of  
our mouths are deceit, and instead of confessing
that we belong to you, singing praises to your name,
we act with cunning and say, "We do not know the man."

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 36; 147:12-20; 80; 27
Josh. 9:3-21
Rom. 15:1-13
Matt. 26:69-75

Selected Verses
Ps. 36:3
The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
          they have ceased to act wisely and do good. 

Josh. 9:4a
[the inhabitants of Gibeon] on their part acted with cunning…

Rom. 15:9b
As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name" …

Matt. 26:72
Again [Peter] denied [being a follower of Jesus] with an oath, "I do not know the man." 

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