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.

A Question for the Owner of the Vineyard--Aug. 22, 2017

[From Aug. 16, 2005 archive]

Proud men, men of action,
men who always are sure what to do,
men like Joab who hold in contempt
those who urge caution or moderation--
such men are admired as leaders. 
They have no time for the poor
 and oppressed and powerless.
 
Our soul has had more than its fill
of scorn from leaders such as these,
ruthless leaders, tyrants ready to kill any
who stand in the way of their ambition--
of their burning desire to maintain control
of a vineyard that does not belong to them. 

God, you are the owner of the vineyard. 
What then will you do?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86
2 Sam. 18:9-18
Acts 23:12-24
Mark 11:27-12:12

Selected Verses
Ps. 123:4
Our soul has had more than its fill
            of the scorn of those who are at ease,
            of the contempt of the proud.

2 Sam. 18:14
Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you."  He took three spears in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive in the oak.

Acts 23:12
In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

Mark 12:9
"…What then will the owner of the vineyard do?  He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.  …"  [Jesus to officials who questioned his authority]

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