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.

When Anger Smolders in Our Hearts--Oct. 5, 2014


When we are kindled like an oven
and anger smolders in our heart at night,
when in the morning it blazes up, a flaming
fire, and our hearts are full of violence,
ready to tear an enemy to pieces,

then conquer our hearts, dear Jesus;
fill us instead with your good treasure--
that blessed with an abundance of your love
our mouths may find the strength to speak peace.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29
Hosea 6:7-7:7
Acts 22:30-23:11
Luke 6:39-49

Selected Verses
Ps. 29:11
 May the LORD give strength to his people!
          May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Hosea 7:6
For [my people] are kindled like an oven, their heart burns within them; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire

Acts 23:10
When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Luke 6:45
"…The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.  …"  [Jesus to the crowd]

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