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:  Sirach 12-14

In prosperity you cannot always be sure who is a true friend,
but in adversity you can be sure who is not a friend.

Greed causes a personality to wither.
The pursuit of wisdom causes a personality to blossom.

Reflection:
Poor soil and lack of water can cause a tree or plant to wither.
Greed, says the text above, can cause a person - indeed, a group/family/nation - to wither

Prayer: Lord, please give me the wisdom to be kind and to avoid greed

At the end of this day I praise you, Lord, for all your love and help.

O people of the world, how long will you close your hearts to God?
How long you will keep on chasing false goals?

Lord, you have put into my heart a joy that cannot be obtained by big meals and plenty of wine.

I will lie day in peace and sleep comes at once,
for you, Lord, make me dwell in safety and peace

Reflection:
Greed shrinks a personality (reading above). Greed involves closing our hearts to God and to others.
Greed is a false goal 

Prayer: Lord, please keep my heart open to you and to others....and closed to greed

One religious leader at the meeting, Gamaliel, asked that the apostles be removed from the room. 
Then he spoke to the other leaders:

"Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people. 
If this movement of theirs is of human origin, it will die out of its own accord. 
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy it. 
You might even find yourselves fighting against God"

His advice was accepted. The apostles were warned, flogged and released

They left the meeting glad to have had the honor of suffering humiliation for the sake of Jesus. 
They resumed their daily preaching, in the Temple and in private homes

Reflection:
Wherever religious or political extremists gather, may there be a voice of moderation, a Gamaliel, in their midst

Prayer: Jesus, please let there be more "Gamaliels" in our troubled world 

Jesus said to his apostles
"Because you follow me and speak my message,
therefore you will be arrested and put in prison.

But don't worry about what to say for your defense.
What to say will be given you by the Holy Spirit.

Boldly proclaim my message
and do not be afraid of persecution.

Take up your cross and follow me.
Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me
is not worthy of me."

Reflection: Whenever we are in a difficult situation and are not sure what words to use,
just think of Jesus....and the right words will come

Prayer: Jesus, please give me more courage