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

 Bible Blog   December 14, 2013     Comments welcome here

  Reading:  Numbers 17

Once again the people complained against Moses and Aaron.
This time through Moses God told the leaders of the 11 tribes
to bring 11 branches and plant them with Aaron’s branch.

The next day Aaron’s branch had blossomed and produced fruit.
Aaron’s branch then became a sign to the people
that they should stop complaining

Reflection:
The 11 other tribes were like some politicians or political parties of today's world:  everything the government does is wrong/bad ....and they keep complaining until they get into government. Leaders should be open to constructive criticism, but not to continuous obstruction

Prayer: Dear God, please help people accept and respect legitimate authority,
and help legitimate authority be good and not corrupt

 

Reading: Psalm 122

I rejoiced when I heard them say
"Let us go to God's house."

And now our feet are standing 
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray
"Peace be to your homes."

For love of the house of the Lord
I will ask for your good.

Reflection:
"Jerusalem" can mean the city in Israel. It can mean the Church. It can mean an individual church. It can mean any special group of believers. It can mean Mary, the mother of Jesus. It can mean Heaven. 

Prayer: Lord, may your Heavenly Jerusalem's peace be in our hearts and homes...and on all "Jerusalems" of this earth

 

Reading:  1 Timothy 4

Do not let people disregard you because you are young.
Be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and act

You have in you a spiritual gift which was given you when the church elders prayed over you with the laying on of hands.
Do not let this gift go unused

Take great care about what you do and what you teach.
In this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you

Reflection:
Timothy was like the priests from Aaron's tribe (reading above): specially blessed for a special role.  

Prayer: Jesus, help priests/pastors be good people ... a good example to others

 

Reading:  Luke 19

In Jericho there was a wealthy man named Zacchaeus, a senior tax collector. He wanted to see what kind of person Jesus was

But because of his short stature he couldn't see over the crowd.
So he climbed a tree

Jesus saw him up the tree and said "Zacchaeus, come down, because I will stay at your house today"

Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Jesus warmly. People complained "He's gone to stay at the house of an outcast"

Zacchaeus replied "Sir, I am going to give half of my property to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I'll pay them back fourfold"

Jesus said to him "Today salvation has come to this house"

Reflection: 
Still true today: "outcast" type people are more open to the Good News than "good" people. "Outcast" type people often "welcome Jesus warmly"

Prayer: Jesus, please help more people to want to know and love you