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 Bible Blogs 

O Holy Spirit, 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 

 Bible Blog   August 19, 2013     Comments welcome here

  Reading:  Genesis 19  

The men of Sodom practised sodomy.
They wanted to abuse the two angels who looked like men
when the angels visited the home of Abraham's nephew, Lot.

So the angels struck the threatening men with blindness.

Then the angels told Lot and his family to leave Sodom immediately
because it would soon be destroyed.

As soon as Lot and his family had left Sodom
the town was destroyed by a volcanic storm

Reflection: 
"Same-sex marriage": two elephants in the (men's) room

Prayer: Dear God, please help people avoid sodomy

 

Reading: Psalms 149-150

Sing a new song to the Lord.
Let the praise of God be always on our lips.

Praise God in his holy temple.
Praise him in the heavens.

O praise him with sound of trumpet.
Praise him with lute and harp.

Praise him with drums and dancing.
Praise him with strings and pipes.

Let everything that lives and breathes,
give praise to the Lord our Creator.  Alleluia!

Reflection:
Sometimes in a big church they have not just an organ, but drums, trumpets and other instruments
...and the effect is just mind-blowing...and takes the praise in our hearts to a higher level

Prayer: Lord, may there often be more musical instruments in church to help us praise you

 

Reading:  1 Corinthians 15

Christ has been raised from the dead, the first to rise of all who have died

Death came through one man, Adam, and rising from the dead has come through one man, Jesus

Just as all people die because of Adam, so all people can live because of Christ

Reflection: 
By his rising from the dead, Jesus has "purchased" for every human being "a ticket for Heaven".  But we must accept the ticket, use it, download it and install it in our lives 

Prayer: Jesus, may all people have eternal life

 

Reading: Mark 14

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived.
Judas had with him a large crowd of men with swords and clubs,
sent by the religious leaders

Judas had told these men "The one I kiss is the man. Take him".
So Judas went  to Jesus and said  "Teacher" and kissed him.
The men  then seized Jesus

Jesus said to them "Am I a robber that you needed to capture me
with swords and clubs?  Day after day I was openly teaching in the Temple"

All the apostles then deserted him and ran away

Reflection:
Jesus was surprised and saddened at being treated like a criminal 

Prayer Jesus, when  I am being treated unfairly by other people,
please give me strength