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.

Jesus, Pioneer and Perfecter--Feb. 14, 2018


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Lord Jesus, you are the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
We look to you, exalt you, for you humbled yourself
to endure the cross, disregarding its shame.
You healed the brokenhearted and
bound up their wounds.

You hated evil, loved good,
and established justice in the gate.
Make us more like you--humble,
but seeking justice; hating evil
and loving good; healing,
binding up wounds.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 5; 147:1-11; 27; 51
Amos 5:6-15
Heb. 12:1-14
Luke 18:9-14

Selected Verses
Ps. 147:3
 He heals the brokenhearted,
          and binds up their wounds. 

Amos 5:15
Hate evil and love good,
         and establish justice in the gate…

Heb. 12:2
…looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Luke 18:14
"…I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."  [Jesus to some who were self-righteous and regarded others with contempt.]

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