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

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

 Reading - Reflection - Prayer   April 30, 2013 
With readers' comments, below  

Reading:  Isaiah 43-45

The Lord says:

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name, you are mine.

If you travel over the seas, I will be with you.
If you travel on great rivers, I will protect you.

For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your savior.

They are ignorant, those who carry around an idol made of wood,
those who pray to a lump of wood that cannot hear.

Turn to me and be saved
all peoples of the world.

Reflection: 
This is a good piece to read before or while travelling, reminding us of God's 24/7 protection
...the best travel policy in the universe!

Prayer: Lord, please help me be more aware of your protection each day and night

 

Reading:  Psalms 52-60

Lord, I will tell everyone about how good you are.
You are our Creator. Everyone should love you.

Thank you for so often rescuing me from trouble.
You uphold my life.

Sometimes I have so many troubles and cares
that I can't get to sleep.

Sometimes I wish I was a bird 
and could fly away to a safe place.

When I fear, I will trust in you,
in you whose word I praise.

My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise.

Each morning I will sing of your strength,
and each morning acclaim your love.

Reflection: 
When we are afraid, when we fear, when our troubles keep us from sleeping, when we have panic attack
....the best thing to do is just calmly remember we are in God's presence....remember we live and move in him like a baby in its mother's womb
....and calmly read a bit from the Bible....and calmly praise God....and then we will calm down

Prayer: O God, when fears increase, so may my trust in you and awareness of your presence also increase

 
Reading:  Acts 18

In Corinth, Paul was rejected by the Jews, so he spent his time preaching to non-Jewish people.
Many Corinthians became believers and were baptized

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:
"Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced. I am with you"

So Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months preaching the word of God 

Reflection:
Most Catholics hesitate to  "speak out" about God.
See this article

Prayer: 
Jesus, give Christians  more courage to speak your message

 
Reading:  Matthew 20

Jesus sat on a donkey colt for the trip down the hill
from the Mount of Olives to the city of Jerusalem.

This was as a prophet had predicted:
"Look, your king is coming, humbly riding a peaceful donkey".

Big crowds accompanied Jesus down the hill.
People spread their clothes on the road as a sign of honor.

People cut branches from the trees and waved them singing
"Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest!"

People in the city asked "Who is he?"
The crowd answered "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee".

Reflection: 
As Pope Francis calls the Church to get back to humble-service mode, instead of triumphant-power mode,
it's good to remember Jesus entered Jerusalem in humble mode on a donkey, not in triumphant mode on a horse.

Prayer: Jesus, may Catholics, especially Catholic leaders, replace horses with donkeys!

Comments welcome here