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 Noisy Gong, a Clanging Cymbal--Oct. 14, 2017


Lord Jesus, you saw the crowds--
they were harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd--
you had compassion for them.

When we see the crowds,
harassed and helpless,
we want to warn them
to obey your words.

But often our words
are like a noisy gong
or a clanging cymbal,
because we have not love.

Your steadfast love endures
forever; fulfill you purpose for us;
do not forsake the work of your hands.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 104; 149; 138; 98
Jer. 35:1-19
1 Cor. 12:27-13:3
Matt. 9:35-10:4

Selected Verses
Ps. 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
          your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
          Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Jer. 35:12-13
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Can you not learn a lesson and obey my words? says the LORD. 

1 Cor. 12:31-13:1
But strive for the greater gifts.  And I will show you a still more excellent way.  If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Matt. 9:36
When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

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