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 02, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 7, 12, 36
2 Chronicles 29:1-3, 30:1-27
1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Matthew 7:1-12

II. Selections
Psalm 12:5
"Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,
I will now rise up," says the LORD;
"I will place them in the safety for which they long."

2 Chronicles 30:18b-19
But Hezekiah prayed for [ those who ate the passover without cleansing themselves], saying, "The good LORD pardon all who set their hearts to seek God, the LORD the God of their ancestors, even though not in accordance with the sanctuary's rules of cleanness."

1 Corinthians 7:35
I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.

Matthew 7:9
" ...Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? ... " [ Jesus, sitting on the mountain]

III. Meditation: For our benefit, to promote good order

Millions of your children ask for bread-
are you content that they eat stones?
Will you not rise up and place them
in the safety for which they long? ;
Hezekiah asked your forgiveness
for those who ate while still unclean.
Will you forgive us who deny food to
the starving-does it promote good order?

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