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.

You Do Not Want Any To Perish--Dec. 4, 2013


 God, you call us to come to you for repentance.
Forgive me when I give my mouth
free rein for evil and my tongue frames deceit;
also that I love to publish my piety.
Be patient when I refuse work in your vineyard;
help me change my mind and go;
for you do not want any to perish.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 50; 147:1-11; 53; 17
Amos 3:12-4:5
2 Peter 3:1-10
Matt. 21:23-32

Selected Verses

Ps. 50:19
"You give your mouth free rein for evil,
            and your tongue frames deceit.  …"

Amos 4:5
…bring a thank offering of leavened bread,
        and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them;
        for so you love to do, O people of Israel!
            says the Lord GOD.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

Matt. 21:28-29
"What do you think?  A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'  He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went.  …"  [Jesus to the chief priests and elders]

No comments:

Post a Comment