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.

For Courage to Speak Your Word--Sept. 19, 2016


Let your people hear what you will speak, O God.
In their hearts, may those who are faithful
turn to you, for you will speak peace.
Who knows, perhaps you are calling us
for such a time as now, to prepare the way
 for you?  Give us courage to speak and not be silent,
for you will be with us. But dear God, make our path straight.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 57; 145; 85; 47
Esth. 4:4-17
Acts 18:1-11
Luke 1:1-4, 3:1-14
           
Selected Verses
Ps. 85:8
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
          for he will speak peace to his people,
          to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. 

Esth. 4:14b
"…Who knows?  Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this."  [Mordecai writing to Esther]

Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people."

Luke 3:4
"…as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  …'"

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