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.

Going through the Motions without God--Dec. 6, 2017


Forgive us, God, if we love to observe
all the forms of worship,
carefully attending to liturgical detail,
but close our hearts to pity
and with our mouths speak arrogantly.

You are patient; you call us to repentance,
but we strain your patience.
With our own impatience and questioning
of your authority, we transgress
and multiply transgressions.  Forgive us,
and help us change our ways.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 50; 147:1-11; 53; 17
Amos 3:12-4:5
2 Peter 3:1-10
Matt. 21:23-32

Selected Verses
Ps. 17:10
[The wicked] close their hearts to pity;
        with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

Amos 4:4-5
Come to Bethel and transgress;
        to Gilgal and multiply transgression;

bring your sacrifices every morning,
        your tithes every three days;
bring a thank offering of leavened bread,
        and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them;
or so you love to do, O people of Israel!
        says the Lord GOD.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 

Matt. 21:23
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 

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