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.

Beware of False Prophets--Dec. 16, 2016


God, make us be wary of false prophets,
waterless springs who speak bombastic nonsense,
full of arrogant boasting and haughty pride, who--
though slaves of corruption--promise freedom.

Your kingdom has always suffered violence,
and the violent ever have tried to take it by force,
but you show us the path of life; in your presence
there is fullness of joy; in your right hand
are pleasures forevermore.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 102; 148; 130; 16
Isa. 10:5-19
2 Peter 2:17-22
Matt. 11:2-15
           
Selected Verses
Ps. 16:11
You show me the path of life.
          In your presence there is fullness of joy;
          in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Isa. 10:12
When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the arrogant boasting of the king of Assyria and his haughty pride. 

2 Peter 2:17-19
These [false prophets] are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the deepest darkness has been reserved.  For they speak bombastic nonsense, and with licentious desires of the flesh they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error.  They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. 

Matt. 11:12
"…From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.  …"  [Jesus to the crowds] 

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