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 Bargaining Fails--Feb. 17, 2022


 
When deep in our hearts, O God,

our transgressions speak to us,

do not let them snatch us

out of your hand.

 

No bargaining will heal the breach;

instead may we abide in you—

Spirit, Son, and Father.

 

Lectionary Readings

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

Gen. 32:3-21

1 John 2:18-29

John 10:19-30

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 36:1

Transgression speaks to the wicked
          deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God
          before their eyes.

 

Gen. 32:3-5

Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, instructing them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have lived with Laban as an alien, and stayed until now; and I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves; and I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.’”

 

1 John 2:24  

Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 

 

John 10:27-28

“…My sheep hear my voice.  I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.  No one will snatch them out of my hand.  …”  [Jesus, to his accusers.]


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