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:  Numbers 6

God said to Moses and Aaron:
"This is how you are to bless the people. Say to them:

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you  and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace."

Reflection:
This is one of the most beautiful blessing prayers in the Bible.
It's the first reading for the Mass of January 1, asking God's blessing on new year. A lovely prayer to memorise

Prayer: Dear God, please bless everyone in the world

Reading: Psalms 112

Happy are people who love and honor the Lord,
who take delight in his commands.
The children of such people will be blessed.

Such people are a light in the darkness for others.
Such people are generous, merciful and just.

They take pity and help those in need.
They conduct their affairs with  integrity.

Open-handed they give to the poor.
Their justice and goodness will never be forgotten.

Reflection: 
Again and again the Old Testament repeats the message that a good Jew, a good person, is one who cares about the poor. Not just someone who says lots of prayers and observes special feast days .... that is good, but it should go hand in hand with concern for the poor...otherwise it's not the real goodness.  Pope Francis is now saying the same thing: "help the poor"

Prayer:  Lord, please help me do more for the poor

Reading:  2 Thessalonians 3

Pray that the Lord's message may spread quickly,
and be received with honor as it was by yourselves

Pray that we may be protected from the interference of bigoted people

May your hearts focus on the love of God our Father
and the fortitude of Christ

Reflection:
In some places the Lord's message spreads quickly.
In other places it spreads very slowly.
In some places its spread is restricted by laws and customs.
So Paul encourages us to pray today:

Prayer: Jesus, may your Message spread quickly in all parts of the world

Reading:  Luke 16

Jesus told this story to the people: There was a rich man who used to
dress in expensive clothes and feast magnificently every day

At his gate there was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who longed to eat scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs
even came and licked his sores

The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In his torment in Hell, the rich man looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus at his side

So the rich man cried out "Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames"

"My son", replied Abraham, "remember that during your life, good
things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here, while you are in agony"

Reflection: 
Compassion for the poor is a common theme in the Bible, but it is especially emphasised in Luke's Gospel with stories like the above one (found only in Luke).  Maybe Luke's Gospel is a favourite of Pope Francis?

Prayer: Jesus, please help me understand how I should do more to help poor people