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.

The Demoniacs and the Townspeople--Oct. 7, 2019



Lord Jesus, the demoniacs recognized you,
and they opposed you;
the townspeople did not know who you were,
and they sent you away.

Today leaders of the nations walk in darkness;
the demons of war are released;
the foundations of civilization are shaken;
very much innocent blood is shed.

What does it mean to follow you in this world?
I do not know, but I must try to seek
others’ advantage, instead of my own, and to
do everything for the glory of God.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29
2 Kings 21:1-18
1 Cor. 10:14-11:1
Matt. 8:28-34

Selected Verses
Ps. 82:5
[Members of the divine council] have neither knowledge nor understanding,
          they walk around in darkness;
          all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

2 Kings 21:16
Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides the sin that he caused Judah to sin so that they did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.

1 Cor. 10:31-33
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved.

Matt. 8:29, 34
Suddenly [the demoniacs], shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God?  Have you come here to torment us before the time?”…Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

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