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 us hope, wisdom, compassion,
courage and peace for our daily life     Chinese text

  Reading:  Exodus 14 

Not long after the Israelites left Egypt
Pharaoh again changed his mind.

He decided to catch the Israelites
and make them return to Egypt.

The Israelites were near the edge of the Red Sea
when they saw the Egyptians approaching.

The Israelites cried out in fear
but Moses said to them "Do not be afraid.
God will do the fighting for you."

God then told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea.
After he did so, a strong wind blew all night
and caused the waters to part.

Then the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground,
with walls of water on both sides.

The Egyptians gave chase and also went into the sea.

When the Israelites had crossed to the other side
Moses again stretched out his staff over the sea
and this time the sea returned to its normal flow,
drowning all the Egyptians.

The people offered thanksgiving and praise to God.

Reflection:
Sometimes the way to solve a problem is to go right through the middle of it (with the Good Lord's help!) ...just as the Israelites went through the sea...just as Jesus went through death ....just as a footballer "takes on" his opponent, rather than avoiding him. 

Prayer: Dear God, please rescue people in trouble, 
just as you rescued the Israelites when they were in trouble

Reading: Psalms 66

O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shine its light upon us.

Let all the peoples praise you, O God.
Let all the peoples praise you.

O sing to the Lord, make music to his name.
Rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.

Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,
God provides a shelter for the homeless.

God gives his people strength.

Reflection: 
The writer of this psalm had a "universal", "catholic" outlook 
- he thought not just of his own nation, but of the whole world - "let all the peoples praise you".
Pope Francis is encouraging Catholics to "go out" from our own little world/parish/school to people in need 
...he is asking Catholics to be catholic as in "universal"

Prayer: May all the peoples of the earth know you and praise you, O God

Reading:  Ephesians 6 

Children, be obedient to your parents.
Parents, never drive your children to resentment

Slaves, respect your employers.
Employers, treat your workers fairly

Reflection: 
As family life becomes dysfunctional and breaks down around the world,
families with Christian values (as in above reading) should be better able to cope with modern pressures

Prayer: Jesus, please help Christian families stay strong in their faith

Reading:  Luke 6

Jesus said to his disciples
"Blessed are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who are hungry: you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now: you shall be happy

Blessed are you when people hate you because of me:
your reward will be great in heaven

But alas for you who are rich: your consolation is only in this world.
Alas for you who have plenty to eat: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep"

Reflection:
What Matthew puts more gently, Luke puts more strongly ...maybe Jesus himself sometimes repeated things in a different way. Bottom line: people living a callous luxurious life style are in for a big shock on Judgement Day 

Prayer: Jesus, please help me to give more time and importance to the things that really matter