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 Forgive the Way I Measure Success--July 12, 2021

I am sorry this was posted late--I lost WiFi, probably due to storms.


[From July 13, 2015 archive]

 

When I find no satisfaction in my own accomplishments 

because I compare them with those of one who has done more, 

forgive me, God, and teach me to rejoice over what others have done. 

 

When I measure my success in terms of victory over my enemies, 

not in seeking justice for the weak, the needy, and the oppressed, 

forgive me, dear God, and help me send relief to the suffering. 

 

When I fail to tell others about your accomplishments, O God, 

remind me of the leper Jesus healed, who then went out 

and couldn't restrain his joy, but proclaimed it freely. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29

1 Sam. 18:5-30

Acts 11:19-30

Mark 1:29-45

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 82:3-4 

“…Give justice to the weak and the orphan;

maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. 

Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked." 

 

1 Sam. 18:7-8a 

And the women sang to one another as they made merry, "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."  Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. 

 

Acts 11:29-30 

The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. 

 

Mark 1:45 

But [the leper whom Jesus healed] went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. 


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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