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.

Righteous in My Own Eyes--Sept. 7, 2020

 

From the picture we get from the story of Job,

perhaps he deserved to be righteous in his own eyes,

but certainly I am wrong when I have such an attitude.

 

Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet

in protest as they left the city that would not listen

to them, but I often provide reasons not to listen to me.

 

When I am sure that I am right and others are wrong,

remind me, dear God, I have done my share

of walking around in darkness.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29

Job 32:1-10, 32:19-33:1, 33:19-28

Acts 13:44-52

John 10:19-30

 

Selected Verses

Ps. 82:5

They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
          they walk around in darkness;
          all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

 

Job 32:1

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

 

Acts 13:51

So [Paul and Barnabas] shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. 

 

John 10:20

Many of [the accusers of Jesus] were saying, “He has a demon and is out of his mind.  Why listen to him?”


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