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.

Courage to Challenge Power--Sept. 11, 2017


The man of God confronted
King Jeroboam;
Joseph of Arimathea went
boldly to Pilate.

We pray for love that may overflow
more and more with knowledge and insight--
love that will give us, in the face of power, courage
to challenge injustice, as we work to maintain
the rights of the lowly and destitute.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29
1 Kings 13:1-10
Phil. 1:1-11
Mark 15:40-47

Selected Verses
Ps. 82:2
"How long will you judge unjustly 
          and show partiality to the wicked? 
 Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
          maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. …" [God to the divine council]

1 Kings 13:7-8
Then the king said to the man of God, "Come home with me and dine, and I will give you a gift."  But the man of God said to the king, "If you give me half your kingdom, I will not go in with you; nor will I eat food or drink water in this place.  …"
Phil. 1:9-10a
And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best

Mark 15:43
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

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