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.

Trusting and Being Trustworthy--July 12, 2022

[From July 13, 2014 archive;

adapted from my journal of July 13, 2004]

 

Rahab the prostitute risked everything

as she put her trust in two strangers.

She believed they were sent by you,

and she followed their directions.

 

Is it so difficult for us to trust you

and to follow your word to us?

When we are cast down, help us

remember you—all you have done.

 

You support us, as a root supports

the branches.  Support us as we take

the talents you have entrusted to our

care, and make us trustworthy with them.

                                                                

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 42; 146; 102; 133

Josh. 2:15-24

Rom. 11:13-24

Matt. 25:14-30

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 42:6b-c

My soul is cast down within me; 

          therefore I remember you 

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, 

          from Mount Mizar.

 

Josh. 2:21

[Rahab the prostitute] said, “According to your words, so be it.”  She sent [the two spies] away and they departed.  Then she tied the crimson cord in the window.

 

Rom. 11:18b

If you do boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you.

 

Matt. 25:22-23

“…And the [slave] with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’  …  ”  [Jesus, to his disciples, in the parable of the talents]


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