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.

Not Far from the Kingdom? How Far?--Feb. 22, 2019

[From Feb. 18, 2011 archive; adapted from Feb. 16, 2001 journal]

Not far from the kingdom of God?  Sounds intimidating.
Just how far, and what is lacking still?

Do I want to close the gap; do I dare?
If I get there, will I want to stay?

If you are about to create new heavens, new earth,
what will that be like, God?

I don’t know, but I want to be faithful to you,
and I offer you my prayer.

Do not let the rush of mighty waters
overcome me or my family.

And speaking of my family, show me
how to provide for them wisely.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 130; 148; 32; 139
Isa. 65:17-25
1 Tim. 5:1-25
Mark 12:28-34

Selected Verses
Ps. 32:6
Therefore let all who are faithful
            offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
            shall not reach them.

Isa. 65:17
For I am about to create new heavens
            and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
            or come to mind.

1 Tim. 5:8
And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Mark 12:28-34
When Jesus saw that [the scribe] answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

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