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.

Because Much You Have Forgiven Me--Oct. 15, 2017


Living, loving God, I know I have many faults--
many obvious to others, and certainly to you,
but hidden from me.  Clear me from them,
and help me to turn from useless things,
from evil ways; may I love you much,
because much you have forgiven me.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113
Jer. 36:1-10
Acts 14:8-18
Luke 7:36-50

Selected Verses
Ps. 19:12
But who can detect their errors?
          Clear me from hidden faults. 

Jer. 36:7
"…It may be that [the people of Judah's] plea will come before the LORD, and that all of them will turn from their evil ways, for great is the anger and wrath that the LORD has pronounced against this people." 

Acts 14:15
"Friends, why are you doing this?  We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  …"  [Barnabas and Paul to the crowds, who took them to be Zeus and Hermes]

Luke 7:47
"…Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love.  But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."  [Jesus to his dinner host, Simon the Pharisee, speaking about the woman who was a sinner]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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