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 21-22

As the Israelites continued their journey,
a number of kings did battle with them.

One of these was Og, king of Bashan.

God said to Moses:
"Do not be afraid of him, for I have given him
into your power". 
Israel then easily defeated Og and occupied his land.

The king of Moab also wanted to attack the Israelites,
but before attacking, he consulted Balaam son of Beor
who was a type of prophet and could see the future.

Several times the king asked Balaam to curse the Israelites,
but each time he blessed them, 
because this is what God told him to do:

"You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed".

The king then summoned Balaam to his presence.
Balaam began his journey to the king, travelling on a donkey.

God sent an angel with a sword to block Balaam's way.
The donkey could see the angel, 
so she left the road to make a detour. 

Balaam hit her and made her return to the road.
On the road the donkey again saw the angel
and just lay down on the road.

Balaam was very angry and hit her with a stick.

Then God made the donkey speak:
"Why did you hit me?  Haven't I always been faithful to you?"

God  now opened Balaam's eyes
and he saw the angel with a sword.

Balaam realized that the donkey had saved his life.

The angel then told Balaam to continue his journey
but to say to the king only what God said to say.

Reflection:
Countless stories exist of animals saving people from danger

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for the protection and friendship of animals

Reading: Psalm 127

If the Lord does not build the house, 
in vain do its builders labor.

If the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.

Success comes not from earlier rising or from going later to rest,
but from the Lord's blessing.

Success is from the Lord
who blesses the womb of  his beloved while she sleeps.

Truly, children are a gift from the Lord,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.

Reflection:
I once heard a young lady say "I'm not going to be a baby factory".
Now she's a devoted and most loving mother of two beautiful children

Prayer: Lord, many people these days don't want children. Please help such people understand that children are a blessing

Reading:  1 Timothy 6

Warn people who are rich in this world's goods that they are not to look down on others. Tell them not to set their hopes on money, but on God who, out of his riches, gives us all we need for happiness

Tell rich people to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will have a healthy account in the Bank of Heaven

Reflection: 
The Bank of Heaven has a branch in every human heart

Prayer: Jesus, please help rich people do more to help poor people

Reading:  Luke 22

Big crowds were in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover which was only a few days away. The religious  leaders were afraid that the crowds would prevent them from killing Jesus

But then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot who was one of the 12 apostles. Judas went to the leaders to plan how to capture Jesus.  The leaders agreed to give Judas some money for his help

Judas then began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus at a time when there were no crowds around

Reflection: 
Some people say Satan does not exist.
Books like this show that Satan does exist

Prayer: Jesus, please protect me from Satan's influence, and from any sort of pride that might make me want to abandon your friendship