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.

Reconcile, or Live in a Parched Land--May 12, 2022

[From May 15, 2014 archive]

 

Gracious God, we thank you for brothers and sisters 

whom we love in Christ; but we confess there are 

others with whom our bond has been fractured. 

It must heal before we bring our gift to you.

 

You made whole Moses' broken tablets; 

you will make whole broken relationships. 

Failing to reconcile is living in a parched land;

before we offer you our gifts, may we offer peace. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 47; 147:12-20; 68; 113

Exod. 34:1-17

1 Thess. 2:13-20

Matt. 5:21-26

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 68:6 

God gives the desolate a home to live in; 

            he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,

            but the rebellious live in a parched land. 

 

Exod. 34:1 

The LORD said to Moses, “Cut two tablets of stone like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you broke.  …” 

 

1 Thess. 2:17 

As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you--in person, not in heart--we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. 

 

Matt. 5:24 

“…So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.  …”  [Jesus, to the crowd on the mountain]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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