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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:  Jeremiah 1

God said to Jeremiah:
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
I have appointed you as prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah said to God:
"Lord, I do not know how to speak.
I am so young."

God then touched Jeremiah's mouth and said:
"I now put my words into your mouth.
Go and tell the people everything I ask you to speak.

Do not be dismayed by anyone.
I am making you strong.

You must confront Judah's kings, priests and people.
They will oppose you, but will not overcome you,
for I am with you."

Reflection: 
All Christians, by their lives and words, are called to witness to the Good News.
But God calls some people to give a special witness ....people like Jeremiah, people like Oscar Romero

Prayer: Lord, please give extra courage to special witnesses who speak your message in the world

God says to corrupt officials:

"How long will you judge unjustly and mistreat the poor?
You should do justice for the weak and the orphan.

You should defend the afflicted and the needy.
You should rescue the weak and the poor.
You should set them free from the hand of the wicked".

O God, please protect your people from corruption and injustice.
Save us also from attack by other nations.

Let everyone know that you are the Lord of all the earth.

Reflection: 
Corrupt officials - a huge problem in many countries of the world. 
In HK recently, the corruption watchdog - the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) itself is under investigation for ...corruption!

Prayer: Lord, please help governments take action to prevent corruption

In Jerusalem Paul gave a report to James and other Christian leaders of all that God had done for non-Jews through his ministry

But Paul was soon seen by Jews from where he had traveled.
He was dragged out of the Temple and beaten by a wild crowd

The beating was stopped by a Roman captain who had Paul bound with chains.
The crowd was calling out for Paul to be killed

Paul asked for permission to speak to the crowd and the captain  agreed.
Paul then spoke to the crowd in Hebrew

Reflection:
Nearly 2000 years ago Paul was beaten for proclaiming the Good News.
Each day in 2013 .... today.... Christians around the world are being beaten for believing the Good News

Prayer: Jesus, please protect Christians who live in dangerous places

The men who arrested Jesus took him to a meeting of the religious leaders.
The leaders wanted to condemn Jesus to death,
even if they had to use false evidence.

Jesus remained silent before their accusations.
Then the main leader challenged Jesus:
"Are you the Anointed One, the Son of God?"

Jesus replied "Yes".
The main leader then called out "We have heard him claim to be of Divine origin. This is blasphemy".

The rest of the leaders shouted "He should die".
Then they spat in Jesus' face and hit him with their fists.

Reflection:  More than any other person, more than any other prophet, Jesus suffered for the cause of truth

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for submitting yourself to insult and spittle for the salvation of the world