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

  Reading:  Genesis 25  

After Abraham died,
God blessed Abraham's son Isaac.

For a long time Isaac's wife Rebecca
could not have children.

Then after Isaac prayed for her,
she had twin boys - Esau and Jacob.

Esau became a hunter.
Jacob helped at home.

Isaac favored Esau.
Rebecca preferred Jacob.

There was a strong rivalry between the two boys.

Once when Esau came home seriously ill,
he agreed to give Jacob his rights as first born son 
in exchange for some soup Jacob had made

Reflection: 
Esau and Jacob were rivals even in the womb....fighting to get out first. 
Nothing wrong with healthy rivalry, but unhealthy rivalries based on jealousy ruin families and nations 

Prayer: Dear God, please help us avoid unhealthy rivalries

Reading: Psalm 4

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. 
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

Reading:  2 Corinthians 1

The Son of God, Christ Jesus, was not sometimes "Yes" and sometimes "No" in his words and actions. He was always crystal clear "Yes" - you knew exactly where he stood on every issue

That is why it is "through him" that we pray and then answer "Amen" (= "yes")

Reflection: 
Politicians all over the world are less and less frequently "yes" people.
They are more and more dancing to the tune of lobby groups...rather than following principles (..even opposing gun controls in the US...)

Prayer: Jesus, help me be a committed "Yes" person  -  not someone
who is swayed by the loudest noise or biggest advantage

Reading: Mark 15

After the Roman soldiers scourged Jesus, they made fun of him.
They put a purple cloak on him. They made a crown out of thorns and put it on his head

They knelt in front of him and mocked him saying "Hail, king of the Jews".  They hit his head with a reed, and spat on him

When they had finished making fun of him,
they dressed him  in his own clothes and led him away to crucify him

Reflection:
Imagine children treating their mother or father the way the soldiers treated Jesus. Jesus must have felt completely devastated that his creatures could treat him like this. His mental suffering must have been totally extreme

Prayer Jesus, please don't let me hurt other people by making fun of them