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:  Deuteronomy 19-21

Moses' teaching:

"A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,
a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot.

When you go to war, the following men are excused from fighting:

a man who has not yet dedicated his newly-built house;
a man who has planted a vineyard and not yet enjoyed its fruit;
a man who is engaged to be married;
a man who is fearful and faint of heart."

Reflection:
"A life for a life, an eye for an eye.." - very different from the New Testament teaching of "do not seek revenge" ....which makes authors think that passages like this are "from man" rather than "from God" ....which is why at the top of the reading I have put "Moses' teaching" rather than "God said"

Prayer:  Dear Jesus,  please help me understand how you taught us to love our enemies and not to take revenge

Reading: Psalm 3

When people make fun of me for believing in you, Lord,
I deeply remember how you are my help and my shield.

Even when the whole world seems against me,
I can go to bed and sleep easy, knowing that you protect me.

O Lord, please rescue me from people who plot against me.
Lord our savior, please bless everyone who needs help

Reflection:
When people made fun of Jesus, even mocked him.... he, under his breath, and then out loud on the Cross, prayed for them.
Not easy to do....not easy to remember: at the very moment someone is making fun of us...silently in the heart to pray for them

Prayer: Jesus, when I am made fun of, please help me pray for the people who are ridiculing me

Reading:  Hebrews 4

The word of God is something alive and active.
It goes deep into our hearts

In Jesus we have the supreme high priest who is now in the highest heaven. He knows how weak we are. He himself was tempted in every way, but did not sin

Let us be confident in approaching his throne of grace.
He will give us grace when we are in need of help

Reflection: 
"The word of God ... goes deep into our hearts" ....Bible reading has a good effect on us ...makes us kinder, more concerned about others, more forgiving etc

Prayer:  Jesus, may your word go deep into my heart

Reading:  John 1

John the Baptist was sent by God as a witness to the people about the presence of the Word among them

When religious leaders asked John "Who are you?", he replied "I am, as the prophet Isaiah prophesied, a voice crying out: make a straight way for the Lord"

When Jesus came to the river Jordan where John was baptizing, John said "Look, there is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is far more important than I am, because he existed (as the Word) before I was born

I saw the Holy Spirit come down on him like a dove. He will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.  He is the Chosen One of God"

Reflection:
Every Christian is meant to be a John the Baptist, or Joanne the Baptist .... pointing out Jesus to others, helping others to know Jesus

Prayer:  Jesus, please help me do more to help others know you