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.

Putting Back the Sword, or Perishing--July 24, 2018



My heart is divided, and so is your church, dear God.
Jesus was clear--we must put back the sword,
for those who take it will perish by it.
Yet in the early days of Israel,
even wars of aggression
seem to have had your approval,
including the slaughter of innocents.
I do not want to pass judgment
on those who disagree,
but modern wars
are horrific.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86
Josh. 8:1-22
Rom. 14:1-12
Matt. 26:47-56

Selected Verses
Ps. 86:11
Teach me your way, O LORD,
          that I may walk in your truth;
          give me an undivided heart to revere your name. 

Josh. 8:22
And the others came out from the city against them; so they were surrounded by Israelites, some on one side, and some on the other; and Israel struck them down until no one was left who survived or escaped.

Rom. 14:4
Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another?  It is before their own lord that they stand or fall.  And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Matt. 26:51-52
Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.  Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  …"

No comments:

Post a Comment