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.

To Take Hold of Life that is Really Life--Feb. 18, 2017


God, you take pleasure in your people,
in the humble and contrite in spirit,
who tremble in awe at your word.
Long prayers are useless, if we
do not do justice to the poor.

However much wealth we possess,
may we be rich in good works,
generous and ready to share,
so that we may take hold
of the life that is really
life.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 56; 149; 118; 111
Isa. 66:1-6
1 Tim. 6:1-21
Mark 12:35-44

Selected Verses
Ps. 149:4  
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
          he adorns the humble with victory. 

Isa. 66:2b
  But this is the one to whom I will look,
          to the humble and contrite in spirit,
          who trembles at my word.

1 Tim. 6:18-19
[The rich] are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

Mark 12:40
"…[The scribes] devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."  [Jesus, while teaching in the temple]

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