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.

June 21, 2010

Is It Too Little?

I. Readings
Psalms 135, 145, 97, 112
Numbers 16:1-19
Romans 3:21-31
Matthew 19:13-22

II. Selections
Psalm 97:1
The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice;
      let the many coastlands be glad!

Numbers 16:8-9
Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you Levites. Is it too little for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to allow you to approach him in order to perform the duties of the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation and serve them? … ”

Romans 3:25b
[God] did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed…

Matt. 19:13a
Then little children were being brought to [Jesus] in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray.

III. Meditation

Let all the earth rejoice and be glad in you, O God!
You have shown us your sovereignty over all that is,
your righteousness in executing your reign,
your forbearance in passing over our sins,

and your compassion, even to little children.
Is it too little that you have treated us kindly?
Must we still look for special privilege?
Have mercy on us; mend our foolish ways.

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