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.

July 12, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 26, 116, 130
1 Samuel 16:14-17:11
Acts 10:17-33
Luke 24:36-53

II. Selections
Psalm 26:11
But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.

1 Samuel 16:22
Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight."

Acts 10:28
...and [ Peter] said to them, "You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. ... " [ Peter to Cornelius and his friends in Caesarea]

Luke 24:50
Then [ the risen Jesus] led [ his disciples] out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them.

III. Meditation: Favor in your sight

We want to walk with integrity,
but that is no basis for our salvation.

We want to find favor in your sight,
as young David did with King Saul,
but even if we could, it would not save us.

Because your blessing on us means more
than any claim we have to righteousness,
forbid that we should call
anyone profane or unclean.

No comments:

Post a Comment