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’s Pleasure--Feb.9, 2022

[From Feb. 8, 2012 archive]

 

O God, your pleasure lies not in displays 

of strength or other physical prowess,

but in those who do your will.

 

We worship you rightly when we present 

to you our bodies as a living sacrifice.

May they be acceptable to you. 

 

When we pretend to be who we are not,

or when we judge others for doing so, 

by your mercies, Lord, forgive us.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33

Gen. 27:1-29

Room. 12:1-8

John 8:12-20

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 147:10

His delight is not in the strength of the horse, 
          nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner…

 

Gen. 27:22

So Jacob went up to his father Isaac, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

 

Rom. 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

 

John 8:15

“…You judge by human standards; I judge no one.  …”  [Jesus, teaching in the treasury of the temple]


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