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.


If David Forgave Absalom--Aug. 15, 2011


David forgave Absalom; will not you forgive us?
But we ourselves must be ready to forgive.
What have others trespassed against me,
compared to my own trespasses?

I judge others, yet violate the very rules by which I judge.
I worship the images of praise and honor, boasting
to myself over what is worthless in your sight.
Why should I hesitate to forgive others?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 135; 145; 97; 112
2 Sam. 17:24-18:8
Acts 22:30-23:11
Mark 11:12-26

Selected Verses
Ps. 97:7
All worshipers of images are put to shame,
      those who make their boast in worthless idols;
      all gods bow down before him.

2 Sam. 18:5
The king [David] ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning Absalom.

Acts 23:3
At this Paul said to [the high priest], "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?"

Mark 11:25
"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." [Jesus to his disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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