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.

What Comes from Within--March 26, 2022

[From March , 20 archive]

 

Lord Jesus, you know us well.

You know the things that defile us, 

things that come from within.

 

All the world is being tested now:

instead of sharing, we hoard;

instead of forgiving, we upbraid;

we transmit despair, not hope;

we fill ourselves with hate, not love.

 

Lord, help us summon our strength,

may our hearts take courage,

in the knowledge that God is faithful;

through you he will provide

the way out, that we may endure. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 43; 149; 31; 143

Gen. 47:27-48:7

1 Cor. 10:1-13

Mark 7:1-23

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 31:24

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
          all you who wait for the LORD.

 

Gen. 48:2

When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” he summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

 

1 Cor. 10:13

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

 

Mark 7:23

“…All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”  [Jesus, to his disciples]


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