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.

No Peace For the Wicked?--Jan. 25, 2011

When we are wicked, we find no peace.
Those whom you call to serve you find
peace even if you send them out with
no material comforts to do your work.

By grace, Paul was turned from wicked
ways; and by grace there is hope for us.
We bless your name, for you have heard
the sound of our pleadings; give us peace.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 54; 146; 28; 99
Isa. 48:12-22
Gal. 1:18-2:10
Mark 6:1-13

Selected Verses
Ps. 28:6
Blessed be the LORD,
      for he has heard the sound of my pleadings.

Isa. 48:22
“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”

Gal. 1:21-23
Then I [Paul] went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.”

Mark 6:7-9
[Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.

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