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 06, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 90, 125
Job 22:1-4, 21-23:7
Acts 13:26-43
John 10:1-18

II. Selections
Psalm 125:4
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts.

Job 22:30
" ...[ The Almighty] will deliver even those who are guilty;
they will escape because of the cleanness of your hands."
[ Eliphaz to Job]

Acts 13:38
" ...Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man [ Jesus] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you ... " [ Paul preaching in the Antioch synagogue]

John 10:10b
" ...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ... " [ Jesus to some Pharisees]

III. Meditation: Abundantly

The psalmist asked you to do good to those
who are good, those who are upright in heart;
such words are too restrictive to be our prayer.
Through Jesus and the cleanness of his hands
deliver also us who are guilty-for he came
to forgive our sins; he came that we might
have life, and might have it abundantly.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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