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.

October 12, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 16, 62, 97
Hosea 9:1-9
Acts 24:1-23
Luke 7:36-50

II. Selections
Psalm 16:11
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Hosea 9:7b
Because of your great iniquity,
your hostility is great.

Acts 24:1-23
" ...We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. ... " [ Tertullus prosecuting Paul, before Governor Felix]

Luke 7:47
" ...Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little. ... " [ Jesus to his host, Simon the Pharisee]

III. Meditation: Hostility or love

Tertullus had hostile words for Paul:
pestilent fellow, agitator,
sect ringleader of the Jews.
Love was not in evidence.

The person with a great number of sins
may react with great hostility when accused,
or with great love when forgiven.

You have shown us the path of life-
accepting your forgiveness,
forgiving others in return,
fullness of joy at your right hand.

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