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.

When to Listen, When to Speak--Sept. 21, 2020

 

Gracious God, we turn to you with our hearts.

Speak to us, speak peace to your people,

and let us hear what you will speak.

 

We must repent and bear fruits

worthy of repentance. 

 

And if we discern 

in such a time as this

that we are called to speak, 

then grant us words and courage. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 57; 145; 85; 47

Esth. 4:4-17

Acts 18:1-11

Luke 1:1-4, 3:1-14

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 85:8

Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
          for he will speak peace to his people,
          to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

 

Esth. 4:14b

“…Who knows?  Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”  [Mordecai to Esther] 

 

Acts 18:9

One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent…”

 

Luke 3:8a

“…Bear fruits worthy of repentance.  …”  [John the Baptist, to the crowds who came to be baptized]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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