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 to Remember--June 10, 2022

[From June 12, 2020 archive]

 

The days of my youth are long past, 

and before my dust returns to the earth

and my breath returns to you who gave it,

I will pause to remember you, Creator of all.

 

Merciful God, do not remember my sins 

or my transgressions; remember me. 

Set my mind on what is divine;

steer me away from evil.

 

And if I am confronted with transgressors, 

likewise, may I show mercy to them;

O fill me with your Holy Spirit, 

so I may act in gentleness.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 84; 148; 25; 40

Eccl. 11:9-12:14

Gal. 5:25-6:10

Matt. 16:21-28

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 25:7

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
          according to your steadfast love remember me,
          for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!

 

Eccl. 12:1a, 7

Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, … and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it. 

 

Gal. 6:1

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.  Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.

 

Matt. 16:21-28

But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!  You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”


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