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.

So Many Messages--Sept. 20, 2020


 

We are bombarded with messages, dear God:

some pure evil— sordid, hate-filled,

racist, destructive, genocidal.

 

But we want to send messages

from good words sent to us

and implanted in our hearts 

about your power to save.

 

Teach us to send messages

that reflect your compassion 

through the deeds we do in love,

 

and save us from temptation 

of showing off our piety,

seeking an award.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93

Esth. 3:1-4:3

James 1:19-27

Matt. 6:1-6, 16-18

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 67:2

          …that your way may be known upon earth,
          your saving power among all nations.

 

Esth. 3:13

Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces, giving orders to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.

 

James 1:21-22

Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.  But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

 

Matt. 6:1-2

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.  …”  [Jesus, to the crowd on the mountain] 


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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