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:  Joshua 4

After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River,
Joshua selected 12 men, one from each tribe,
and told them to get 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan.

The 12 stones were set up at Gilgal, east of Jericho, 
as a reminder of how God had helped the Israelites
cross the river.

When children in the future asked 
"What do these stones mean?"
parents were to answer:

"The waters of the Jordan separated and stopped flowing
when the Lord's Sacred Chest entered the river.
These 12 stones are a permanent reminder of this."

As soon as  the Israelites had finished crossing the Jordan,
its waters immediately started flowing again.

Reflection:  
Stones, pictures, crosses, signs ....we need them to remind us of God's love and help

Prayer: Dear Lord, please don't let me ever forget
the many times you have helped me cross "Jordan" rivers

Reading: Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
I call to you for help, but day and night you give no reply.

I am a worm and not a man.
Everyone who sees me makes fun of me.

They taunt  me: "He trusted in the Lord, why doesn't the Lord help him?"

Like water I am poured out, my bones no longer connected.
My throat is parched, my tongue sticks to my jaws.

Many evil people attack me.
They make holes in my hands and my feet.
They await my death.

They divide my clothing among them,
they throw a dice for my robe.

Yet I know Lord, that  you are good and holy.
I know how you heard the cries of our ancestors and you helped them.

It was you who took me from the womb
and entrusted me to my mother's breast.

To you I was committed from my birth,
from my mother's womb you have been my God.

Lord, I trust in you even now.
I trust you will not scorn my prayer.

Even now I praise you as my Creator.
May all the nations know and worship you.

Reflection:
Holy Week not so far away ...... so many things in this psalm apply to Jesus.
And Jesus is with anyone who is going through the sort of suffering described in this psalm

Prayer: Jesus, please help people who are Psalm 22 type situations
to remember that you are with them

Reading:  James 2

Don't try to combine faith in Jesus Christ, our glorified Lord, with the making of distinctions between classes of people

Suppose two men come into your prayer meeting, one beautifully dressed and with a gold ring; the other poor and in shabby clothes

If you welcome the rich man, and look down on the poor man, you are making a big mistake

It was those who are poor according to the world that God chose to be rich in faith

So, never make distinctions between classes of people.
Everyone is your neighbor. Love your neighbor as yourself

There will be judgment without mercy for people who have not been merciful. 
But merciful people need have no fear of judgment

Reflection: 
True or false in your part of the world?
1. Priests often go for meals with rich people
2. Priests often go for meals with poor people 
3. I sometimes take part in activities to help poor people

Prayer:  Jesus, please help me follow Pope Francis in showing more practical concern for the poor

Reading:  John 5

Jesus said to the religious leaders "The healing and teaching my Father has given me to do, testify that the Father sent me

You study the Scriptures, realizing that in them there is the message of life. Now these same Scriptures focus on me, and yet you refuse to come to me for life

If you really believe what Moses wrote, you would believe in me, since it was I that he was writing about"

Reflection:
The Scriptures focus on Jesus ....which is why St Jerome once said:
"Ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Jesus"

Prayer:  Jesus, please help me understand how everything in the Bible is related to you. Help me understand that "ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of you"