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, wisdom, compassion, courage and peace for my daily life     Chinese text

  Reading:  Genesis 41 

Two years later Pharaoh had a dream:
he was standing by the river Nile
and saw 7 healthy cows feeding on the riverside.

Then he saw 7 sickly cows which ate the 7 healthy cows.

Pharaoh woke,
then had a second dream when he went back to sleep:
7 rich ears of corn on one stalk, followed by 7 withered ears
which ate the 7 rich ears.

None of Pharaoh's wise men could interpret the dreams.

Then the cup-bearer told Pharaoh
how Joseph could understand dreams.

Pharaoh sent for Joseph
and Joseph told Pharaoh the meaning of his dreams:

the 7 healthy cows and 7 rich ears meant 7 good years for Egypt;

the 7 sickly cows and 7 withered ears meant 7 years of famine.

Joseph also told Pharaoh what to do:

use a tax to collect one fifth of all grain in the 7 good years;
then during the 7 years of famine 
use the collected grain to feed Egypt.

Pharaoh and his ministers were so impressed by Joseph's wisdom
that Pharaoh made Joseph governor of the whole of Egypt,
second only to Pharaoh himself.

Pharaoh gave Joseph Asenath, a priest's daughter, as his wife.

Joseph was now 30 years old, 
having spent more than 10 years in Egypt.

For the next 7 years Joseph traveled all over Egypt,
supervising the collection of grain.

Before the famine began,
Joseph and Asenath had two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim.

When the famine began, Pharaoh told the Egyptians
"Go to Joseph and do what he tells you".

People from all over Egypt and from other countries
went to Joseph to buy grain during the famine.

Reflection: 
This is a favourite story of prison inmates...who pray that God will bring good out of their time in prison, as he did for Joseph

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for turning things around in Joseph's life. Please do the same for people in prison

Reading: Psalms 24-26

The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples.
It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe.

May all hearts open their doors to the Lord.
Let him enter, the king of glory.

Lord I hope in you all the day long.
Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth.

Reflection:
Like a poor beggar, the Creator of the universe stands at the door of our hearts and asks entry ....such is his respect for our free will, he will not barge in on our lives

Prayer: God our Creator, please help us open the doors of our hearts to you

Reading:  Galatians 5

When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free.
Stand firm then and do not return to a life of slavery to Jewish Law

As a Christian, it doesn't matter if you are circumcised or not.
What matters is faith that is put into loving action

Reflection: 
Just as there was "a slavery to Jewish law" so there can be "a slavery to Christian/Muslim law"  ....whereby people live a life that is totally controlled by rules and regulations (many of them out of date), under the guidance of despotic religious leaders (many of them out of date). Just two days ago I paid a visit to a church where a priest was giving a talk to about 30 lay people. Not the first time I've heard him with the same group. Each time his topic is the same: confession, confession, confession....go at least once a month to confession ....that's all he ever talks about ....causing good people to become nervous and fearful about their relationship with God ....causing a type of slavery

Prayer: Jesus, help people whose lives are being damaged  by unreasonable religious laws

Reading:  Luke 2

Not far from where Mary had her baby, there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their sheep during the night

An angel appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The angel said "Do not be afraid.  I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by everyone.

Today in the town of David, a savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. Look for a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger"

Suddenly with the angel there were many other angels, praising God and singing "Glory to God in heaven, and peace to people on earth"

Reflection:
As we daily here news of war (Syria, Egypt, Philippines) let's keep reminding ourselves that the Divine Program of Peace was downloaded to this earth 2,000 years ago .....and if installed in hearts and nations will produce "peace on earth"

Prayer: Jesus, at your birth the angels sang of peace. Please give peace to troubled nations, especially Syria and Egypt