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.

In Gentleness Born of Wisdom--Sept. 30, 2018


When we walk through the darkest valley,
it is not by bow, or sword, or war,
or any kind of violence that
you save us; it is by your
presence with us, to
comfort and sustain.

Help us find the treasure
you keep in your kingdom,
that we may lead good lives,
with works done in gentleness
born of wisdom.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 108; 150; 66; 23
Hosea 1:1-2:1
James 3:1-13
Matt. 13:44-52

Selected Verses
Ps. 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
          I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
          your rod and your staff — 
          they comfort me.

Hosea 1:7
But I will have pity on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God; I will not save them by bow, or by sword, or by war, or by horses, or by horsemen."  [The LORD to Hosea]

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you?  Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.

Matt. 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  …" [Jesus to his disciples]

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