Daily Devotion

Saturday, March 14, 2026  

Today's Scripture
Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection

Be transformed and renewed speaks to me of accepting change. How often am I stuck in something I do or believe because that is the way I learned it or have always done it?

This reminds me of a story that I read not long ago. During the Middle Ages, there was a poorly educated priest who didn’t understand the Latin he was using in Mass. The correct phrase was “Quod ore sumpsimus, Domine,” (“What we have taken with our mouths, Lord”), but he had been saying “Mumpsimus” for years. Someone with more education noticed and finally pointed it out. He stubbornly refused to be corrected, saying, “I will not change my old mumpsimus for your new sumpsimus.” The story became a legend, and the word “mumpsimus” came to mean any incorrect or unsupportable action, custom, or practice in which someone persists despite having been shown better. It also refers to the kind of stubborn person who might do such persisting.

May I be open to accepting change and renewing my heart, mind, and spirit. Don’t let me be a Mumpsimus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, open my heart to your will. Help me release what no longer serves me and welcome the change and renewal you have prepared. Make me willing, teachable, and trusting in your plan. Amen.

Written by Linda Gibboney, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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