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 We Believe Our Own Wisdom Suffices--Jan. 18, 2017


Dear God, when we believe our own wisdom suffices,
you frustrate us, and we learn how foolish we are.
Turn us back to gather together in worship
as you sow your Word in our hearts.

Teach us how to imitate you, as beloved children:  
to live in your love, even as Christ loved us
and gave himself up for us, a fragrant
offering and a sacrifice to you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 15; 147:1-11; 48: 4
Isa. 44:24-45:7
Eph. 5:1-14
Mark 4:1-20

Selected Verses
Ps. 48:9
 We ponder your steadfast love, O God,
          in the midst of your temple. 

Isa. 44:25
…who frustrates the omens of liars,
          and makes fools of diviners;
who turns back the wise,
          and makes their knowledge foolish…

Eph. 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Mark 4:14
"…The sower sows the word.  …"  [Jesus to the twelve and others around him]

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