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 Your Goodness and Mercy--Sept. 27, 2020


Follow us with your goodness and mercy, dear God.

Follow us, though we make many mistakes.

 

Though we deserve to be called “not your people,”

let us be called “children of the living God.” 

 

You have shown us your treasure, hidden in a field;

fill us with joy, that we may buy the field.

 

Yes, in goodness and mercy, make us your children,

ready to sell all we have for your treasure.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 108; 150; 66; 23

Hosea 1:1-2:1

James 3:1-13

Matt. 13:44-52

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
          all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
          my whole life long.

 

Hosea 1:10

Yet the number of the people of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which can be neither measured nor numbered; and in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” 

 

James 3:2

For all of us make many mistakes.  Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.

 

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]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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