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.

God, We Have No Other--Nov. 12, 2020


Generously, ungrudgingly, 

you give to us, O ever loving God.

Even if we try to run away from you,

still Lord, you are always in our midst.

 

We may think it is by our initiative

we return to you, but you come

to take us up, embracing us

with undeserved love. 

 

You are our God;

we have no other.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 36; 147:12-20; 80; 27

Joel 2:21-27

James 1:1-15

Luke 15:1-2, 11-32

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 27:10

If my father and mother forsake me,
          the LORD will take me up.

 

Joel 2:27a

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
     and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other.

 

James 1:5

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.

 

Luke 15:20

“…So [the  younger son] set off and went to his father.  But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.  …”  [Jesus, to those who complained that he welcomed and ate with sinners]


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