Computer Cud         Vatican II asks us to read the Bible every day,   'to have a burning love'   for the Word of God            Resolution

This plan follows the Sunday liturgy:     reading + psalm + reading + gospel                  From  www.simplebible.info            Previous R-R-P 

O Holy Spirit, please guide me as I read these passages for today.                     
May these passages give me hope, strength, wisdom, compassion, courage and peace for my daily life             Chinese text

Reading:  First Maccabees 13-14

Trypho was forced to abandon his attack by a heavy snowfall.
As he returned to his own land, he killed Jonathan.

Trypho killed Antiochus and became king of Asia.

Simon made peace with Demetrius. He also renewed the treaties with Sparta and the Romans.

Israel had peace during the time of Simon.

Reflection: 
War-minded leaders are called "hawks". Peace-minded leaders are called "doves".  
Simon was blessed with a time of peace. Maybe he himself was inclined to peace rather than war, after his brothers were killed in war. 

Prayer: Dear God, please give the world leaders who work for peace

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
says to the Lord "you are my refuge in whom I trust".

The Lord will hide you and protect you.
Under his wings you will find refuge.

You will not fear any night time terror,
nor any attack during the day.

Upon you no evil shall fall,
no plague approach where you dwell.

For you has he commanded his angels
to keep you safe in all your ways.

Reflection: 
More and more wealthy people around the world are living in special building/areas/compounds, 
with high walls and security guards. No one should be careless about safety, especially the safety of our family,
but the best Security Guard is the Lord....to whom we can entrust the safety of our family with a simple prayer first thing in the morning and last thing at night

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your protection day and night

Something which has existed since the beginning,
that we heard,
that we saw with our own eyes,
that we touched with our hands:
the Word, who is life
- this is our subject

That life was made visible.
We saw it, and we are giving our testimony,
telling you of the eternal life
which was with the Father and has been made visible to us  

Reflection: 
What a beautiful reading to help us start thinking about Christmas....and who the Baby in the manger is

Prayer:  Jesus, Word-made-flesh, you are the Way, the Truth and the Life

Jesus said to the religious leaders "I am the gate of the sheepfold.
If anyone enters the sheepfold by some other means than the gate, that person is a thief

The person who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the flock.
The sheep hear his voice as he calls each one by name and leads them out of the sheepfold

When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come so that people may have life, not just now but for ever"

Reflection: 
What a beautiful image for all leaders: parents, teachers, pastors, employers, politicians:  
Leaders are meant to be shepherds, caring for their sheep, never being unkind/cruel/unjust to their sheep

Prayer:  Jesus, Good Shepherd, please help all leaders be good shepherds like you