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 22 

Laws announced by Moses:

"If a man seduces a virgin, he must marry her.

A sorceress must be put to death.

Anyone who has intercourse with an animal must die.

Do not discriminate against foreigners,
for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.

Do not be harsh to widows and orphans.

Do not demand interest if you make a loan to a poor person.

Always remember you are a people consecrated to God."

Reflection:
Maybe someone familiar with ancient history can comment on this:
did any other ancient culture (in the centuries before Jesus' time) 
put as much emphasis on concern for the poor as the Old Testament Israelites?

Prayer: Dear God, please increase my concern for the poor

Reading: Psalms 82, 83

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

Reading:  Philippians 3

Because of Christ, I have come to consider all my former advantages as a scholar as disadvantages

Nothing is more important than knowing Christ Jesus my Lord

For him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ

All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.
I want to share his sufferings by carrying the Cross with him

This is the way I can hope to receive eternal life

 Reflection: 
I recently heard a man say that he's lost interest in reading purely secular novels.
The only books that attract him now are books that have something to do with Jesus and Jesus' values

Prayer: Christ Jesus my Lord, knowing you is No. 1

Reading:  Luke 8

Jesus went to many towns and villages, proclaiming the Good News

The 12 apostles went with him, as did a group of women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and several others

These women used their own money to support Jesus and the apostles

Reflection:
Pope Francis is stirring up much discussion about the role of women in the Church. May the time come soon when there will once again be women deacons

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for all the women who support the spread of the Good News in today's world