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 Shall the Meek Inherit the Earth?--Sept. 17, 2015


Jesus, you promised that the meek will inherit
the earth, yet we see only the proud in power.
When will this transfer of power take place?

According to the grace you give, one lays a
foundation, and someone else builds on it.
Lord, grant us strength to wait for you;
and may our hearts take courage,
so that we do not turn aside
from doing what in
your sight is
right.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 36; 147:12-20; 80; 27
1 Kings 22:29-45
1 Cor. 2:14-3:15
Matt. 5:1-10

Selected Verses
Ps. 27:14
Wait for the LORD;
          be strong, and let your heart take courage;
          wait for the LORD!

1 Kings 22:43
[Jehoshaphat] walked in all the way of his father Asa; he did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD; yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and offered incense on the high places.

1 Cor. 3:10
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it.  Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 

Matt. 5:5
"…Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  …"  [Jesus, sitting on the mountain, to the crowds]

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