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.

Dealing with the Bloodthirsty and Deceitful--March 5, 2014


 God, how do we deal with the bloodthirsty and deceitful;
and with those who afflict the righteous, or take a bribe;
or with those who push aside the needy seeking justice?

Surely our first obligation is to support the oppressed
and those who have been lied to and denied redress;
to care for the wounded and hungry and homeless.

We must also find ways to stop the oppression;
to expose bribery, deceit, violence, injustice;
to muster support, private and governmental.

But all the while, help us keep in mind our own
failure to live justly; our participation in a violent
society; and how many are our own transgressions.

God, help us remember--Jesus preached a parable
to those who trusted in themselves as righteous
while they regarded others with contempt.

Is this the key, Lord, to how we can
pursue peace with everyone,
even as we fight evil?

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 5; 147:1-11; 27; 51
Amos 5:6-15
Heb. 12:1-14
Luke 18:9-14

Selected Verses

Ps. 5:6
 You destroy those who speak lies;
          the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.

Amos 5:12
For I know how many are your transgressions,
            and how great are your sins--
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
            and push aside the needy in the gate.

Heb. 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Luke 18:9
[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt…

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