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.

Renew and Transform Me--March 29, 2020


Transform my mind; renew it, O God,
so that I may discern your will—
what is good and acceptable
and perfect.

Curb my temper,
lest I act like a mule,
that I may stay near you;
and give me understanding.

Let me hear your words,
then be with my mouth;
teach it what to speak,
in the name of Jesus.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 84; 150; 42; 32
Exod. 3:16-4:12
Rom. 12:1-21
John 8:46-59

Selected Verses
Ps. 32:9
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
          whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
          else it will not stay near you.

Exod. 4:12
“…Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”  [The LORD, to Moses]

Rom. 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 8:47
“…Whoever is from God hears the words of God.  The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.”  [Jesus, to his accusers]

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