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.

The Cost of Deceit, Happiness--Aug. 23, 2013

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 Deceit caused Mephibosheth to lose favor with King David;
Felix deceived Paul in the hope of obtaining a bribe;
the scribes devoured widows' houses and
covered their deceit with prayers. 
Take away from our spirit
all deceit, O God.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 130; 148; 32; 139
2 Sam. 19:24-43
Acts 24:24-25:12
Mark 12:35-44

Selected Verses

Ps. 32:2
Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,
          and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

2 Sam. 19:25-26a
When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”  He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me…"

Acts 24:26
At the same time [Felix] hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.

Mark 12:40
"…[The scribes] devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers.  They will receive the greater condemnation."  [Jesus, teaching in the temple]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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