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.

To Forgive from the Heart--Nov. 4, 2018


O gracious God, God of love,
you know how we were made,
you remember that we are dust,
and you have compassion for us.

From your heart you forgive us,
and from our hearts you expect us
to forgive those who sin against us.

Swearing our love to you is nothing,
unless we are patient, kind, forgiving--
unless we reflect to others the love
we have received from you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139
Zeph. 1:1-6
1 Cor. 12:27-13:13
Matt. 18:21-35

Selected Verses
Ps. 103:13-14
As a father has compassion for his children,
          so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
For he knows how we were made;
          he remembers that we are dust.

Zeph. 1:5b
…those who bow down and swear to the LORD,
            but who also swear by Milcom…

I Cor. 13:4-5a
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude

Matt. 18:35
"…So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."  [Jesus, to Peter and the other disciples]

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