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.

"…And Out Came this Calf"--April 24, 2018

We know what it is like, when caught in wrong-doing,
to shade the truth so that we will appear in better light.
"I threw the gold into the fire, and out came this calf."
Words filled with half-truths do not come from
the power of the Holy Spirit, nor are they
said with full conviction; they aren't
an example to other believers.
God, you protect the simple;
may we simply tell truth
and let our light shine--
so others may see your
good works and may
give you the glory.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116
Exod. 32:21-34
1 Thess. 1:1-10
Matt. 5:11-16

Selected Verses
Ps. 66:16
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
          and I will tell what he has done for me. 

Exod. 32:24
So I said to [the people], 'Whoever has gold, take it off'; so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!" [Aaron to Moses]

1 Thess. 1:5a, 7
…because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction… so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Matt. 5:16
"…In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  …"  [Jesus to the people]

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