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:  One Samuel 7

The Sacred Chest was taken from the town of Beth-shemesh
to the town of Kiriath-jearim, to the house of Abinadab,
whose son Eleazar was consecrated to guard the Chest.

After 20 more years, the Israelites again longed for freedom from the Philistines.

Samuel gathered all the Israelites at Mizpah, where after prayer,
battle was joined with the Philistines who were defeated.

The Philistines no longer came into Israelite territory.

Samuel was judge over all Israel for the rest of his life.
During Samuel's time, the Philistines no longer troubled Israel.
There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.

Each year Samuel went on circuit around the country
to judge cases of law.

He would then return to his home town of Ramah
and continue his work as a judge from there.

Reflection: 
Every morning while having a shave, I have a litany of Old Testament and New Testament people I ask for help ....and when I get to Samuel, I usually add a p.s.
...Dear Lord, please let all judges be good like Samuel ...and bless all judges who are hearing cases today

Prayer: Dear God, please give the world more leaders like Samuel

Reading:  Psalm 86

Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer
for I am poor and needy.

O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of love to all who call to you.

All the nations shall come to adore you
and glorify your name, O Lord,
you who alone are God.

Show me, Lord, your way, and guide my heart
so that I may walk in your truth.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart
for your love to me has been great.

O give your strength to your servant
and save your handmaid's son.

Reflection: 
This psalm twice mentions God's love.  Gratitude for God's love grows as we get older, just like gratitude for our parents' love.
As we get older and our prayer becomes simpler.... it often boils down to "thank you Lord for your love".
DV these words will be in our hearts and on our lips at the end of our lives

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your love

Reading:  Three John 

From the Elder to my dear friend Gaius.
People have told me of your faithfulness to the truth.

It is always a great joy for me
when I hear that my children are living according to the truth

Thank you for your hospitality to believers who travel to spread the Good News.
Such people deserve whatever support we can give them

Reflection:  
One country where there are many thousands of believers who travel to spread the Good News (...travelling evangelists..) is China - as described in the moving documentary The Cross - Jesus in China, which is at this link (scroll down to link on right side)

Prayer: Jesus, please bless people who travel to spread the Good News

Reading:  John 16

Jesus said to his disciples at the meal "I will leave you soon. After I go, I will send the New Friend to you. The New Friend will teach you all about right and wrong. The New Friend will help you know the truth about everything

You are sad now because I am leaving you. But I will see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy. No one will be able to take that joy from you

I have told you all these things so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world

Reflection: 
Many a saint and scholar has said how things would go much better in our lives if we more often remembered the New Friend (the Holy Spirit)

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your peace, your joy, and your Holy Spirit