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.

Refugees--How They Are Plundered--Nov. 14, 2017

[From Nov. 11, 2015 archive]

The despised of the earth--how they are plundered.
Their souls have had more than their fill of
the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.
But Lord, even the dogs
eat the crumbs that fall
from their master's table.
Is the fruit for which their souls
have longed never to be found again?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86
Neh. 4:1-23
Rev. 18:9-20
Matt. 15:21-28

Selected Verses
Ps. 123:4
Our soul has had more than its fill
          of the scorn of those who are at ease,
          of the contempt of the proud.

Neh. 4:4
Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their taunt back on their own heads, and give them over as plunder in a land of captivity.

Rev. 18:14
"The fruit for which your soul longed 
          has gone from you, 
and all your dainties and your splendor
          are lost to you,
          never to be found again!" 

[The merchants of the earth to Babylon]

Matt. 15:27
[The Canaanite woman] said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table."

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