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.

Reconcile, or Live in a Parched Land--May 15, 2014


Gracious God, we thank you for brothers and sisters
whom we love in Christ, but we confess there are
others with whom our bond has been fractured.
It must heal before we bring our gift to you.
You made whole Moses' broken tablets;
you will make whole broken relationships.
Failing to reconcile is living in a parched land--
before we offer you our gifts, may we offer peace.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 47; 147:12-20; 68; 113
Exod. 34:1-17
1 Thess. 2:13-20
Matt. 5:21-26

Selected Verses
Ps. 68:6
God gives the desolate a home to live in;
          he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
          but the rebellious live in a parched land.

Exod. 34:1-17
The LORD said to Moses, "Cut two tablets of stone like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you broke.  …"

1 Thess. 2:17
As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you--in person, not in heart--we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. 

Matt. 5:24
"…So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.  …"  [Jesus to the crowd on the mountain]

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