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 06, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 29, 82
Hosea 6:7-7:7
Acts 22:30-23:11
Luke 6:39-49

II. Selections
Psalm 5:9
For there is no truth in their mouths;
their hearts are destruction;
their throats are open graves;
they flatter with their tongues.

Hosea 7:2
But they do not consider
that I remember all their wickedness.
Now their deeds surround them,
they are before my face.

Acts 23:1
While Paul was looking intently at the council he said, "Brothers, up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God."

Luke 6:39
[ Jesus] also told [ his disciples] a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? ... "

III. Meditation: The pit of untruth and flattery

Ever-present God, our deeds surround us and are ever before your face. You have given us Jesus to be our guide. Grant that we may follow him-only he can show us the way. Without him we will fall into the pit of untruth and flattery. Only with him as our guide can we hope to live our life with a clear conscience before you. We ask this in your name.

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