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.

September 17, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 19, 81, 113
Job 38:1, 18-41
Revelation 18:1-8
Matthew 5:21-26

II. Selections
Psalm 19:4c-5
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Job 38:19
" ...Where is the way to the dwelling of light,
and where is the place of darkness ...? ... " [ Job]

Revelation 18:1
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven having great authority; and the earth was made bright with his splendor.

Matthew 5:23-24
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother and sister, and then come and offer your gift.

III. Meditation: The way to the dwelling of light

Forgiveness is the way to reconciliation
and the way to the dwelling of light;
anger and vengeance
lead to the place of darkness.

The sun is like a bridegroom emerging from his wedding canopy,
like a strong man running his course with joy;
and the path to reconciliation
is like the path of the sun.

If an angel of great authority came down
to make the earth bright with its splendor,
it would not shed more light
than comes from reconciliation.

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