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

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R-R-P  Reading - Reflection - Prayer   Jan 17, 2013 
With readers' comments, below                 

Reading:  Proverbs 4, 5

Acquire wisdom, never forget her.
Do not desert her. She will keep you safe.

Wisdom is life to those who obtain her,
health for the entire body.

Take no notice of a loose-living woman,
go nowhere near the door of her house.

Drink the water of your own cistern,
fresh water from your own well.

Find joy with the wife you married in your youth,
let hers be the love that always holds you captive.

Reflection:
The Bible scholars say that the above words are not just about "avoiding adultery",
but also about protection for women: they were to be treated as loving partners, not disposable commodities. Such thinking was very different from that in most other parts of the world at that time

Prayer: Dear Lord, please give married people the wisdom to stay faithful to each other

 
Reading:  Psalm 107

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His great love is without end.

Let them say this, those the Lord has helped,
people from east and west, north and south.

Some people wandered in the desert
lost and unable to find their way to safety.

In their hunger and thirst they cried to the Lord for help.
He rescued them and showed them the way to safety.

Let them thank the Lord for his love,
for he fills the hungry with good things.

Some people were prisoners in misery and chains,
living in darkness and gloom.

In their distress they cried to the Lord for help.
He rescued them and restored their freedom.

Let them thank the Lord for his goodness,
for he shatters the iron bars of prisons.

Some people were sick on account of their sins,
unable to eat,  and close to death.

They cried to the Lord in their need.
He healed them and saved them from the grave.

Let them thank the Lord for his love,
for the wonders he does for us.

Some people sailed to the sea in ships
and were caught in terrifying storms.

They cried to the Lord in their need
and he calmed the sea and wind.

Let them thank the Lord for his love,
for the wonders he does for us.

Whoever is wise should meditate on these things
and reflect on the love of the Lord.

Reflection: 
Each of us can remember times when we were rescued/saved from physical/moral danger.
I remember being saved by a life-saver when caught in a rip while swimming.
I remember being protected from a dangerous car crash...by the action of another driver who saw I was making a big mistake while driving. 
Times of rescue from moral danger also come to mind

Prayer:  Thank you Lord, for your rescuing love

 
Reading:  Revelation 3

He gave me this message for the church in Sardis:

"I know all about you. 
You are a shining red apple on the outside,
but inside you are rotten

Wake up, revive your faith and love.
Remember the eagerness you showed
when you first heard the Good News

Listen to this message and repent"

Reflection:
Nothing is more disappointing that finding that a beautiful-looking apple is rotten!
...or that someone is "a wolf in sheep's clothing"
...or, as Jesus put it, like a tomb: clean on top, full of dead bones inside

Prayer: Jesus, don't ever let me become a rotten apple. Help me be good a good person,
on the outside and on the inside 

 
Reading:  John 16

Jesus said to his disciples at the meal "I will leave you soon. After I go,
I will send the New Friend to you. The New Friend will teach you all about right and wrong. 
The New Friend will help you know the truth about everything

You are sad now because I am leaving you. But I will see you again, 
and your hearts will be full of joy. No one will be able to take that joy from you

I have told you all these things so that you may find peace in me. 
In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world

Reflection: 
The New Friend is the Holy Spirit.
When we find ourselves in a situation where we're not sure what to say, not sure what to do, 
a good prayer is: "Come Holy
Spirit!  Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me"

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your peace, your joy, and your Holy Spirit

Please feel free to add  insights and prayers in the comment box below

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