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.

Our Advocate--Apr. 14, 2015


Jesus Christ the Righteous,
you have tested us, sending us into the world
even as God sent you.

We have failed the test,
over and over we fail it, though all you ask
is that we love as you loved.

The thing is too difficult,
no one could do it except one who dwells with God.
Praise God, you are our Advocate.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116
Dan. 2:1-16
1 John 2:1-11
John 17:12-19

Selected Verses
Ps. 66:10
For you, O God, have tested us;
          you have tried us as silver is tried. 

Dan. 2:11
"…The thing that the king is asking is too difficult, and no one can reveal it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”  [His wise men to Nebuchadnezzar]

1 John 2:1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous…

John 17:18
"…As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  …"  [Jesus, praying for his disciples]

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