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 8

When Samuel grew old, the people asked him to find someone
to be their king.

Samuel was not happy that the people asked for a king.
Samuel also warned the people that a king would impose taxes
and have many rights over them.

But the people insisted on having a king.

The Lord then told Samuel to give the people a king.

Reflection: 
It's not just modern nations which have mixed feelings about having a monarch.
The same mixed feelings were present among the Jewish people ...hence different, even conflicting opinions about the monarch in One Samuel.

Prayer: Dear God, please help all monarchs to be good leaders who care for their people

Reading:  Psalm 87

On the holy mountain is Jerusalem, the Lord's cherished city.
Of you are told glorious things, O city of God.

All nations are called to serve and love the Lord.
And Jerusalem shall be called their spiritual mother,
for all shall be her children.
In Jerusalem everyone will be welcome and find a home.

Reflection: 
Jerusalem is a home to Jews, Christians and Muslims - the three great traditions descended from Abraham.
But throughout history there has been conflict/persecution/ among the three "cousins".
Sometimes peace breaks out, as in Spain when Muslims and Jews lived peacefully for a long period. As in the southern Philippines where Christians and Muslims lived peacefully for decades (until extremists from the Middle East arrived). 
Jerusalem is the most sacred city in the world. What a goldmine Jerusalem could be for tourism if only there was more peace. Maybe someday there can be a Middle East Union, like the European Union, with its capital Jerusalem "the city of peace", and its Jewish, Muslim and Christian members living in harmony. An economic as well as a spiritual capital...promoting policies of justice and peace and compassion in the Middle East and throughout the world. A great book on this theme:
Joshua in the Holy Land (see the comment by Norma McAfee: this book "exemplifies ways that we could all work together for peace") 

Prayer: Jesus, may Jerusalem be a place of peace and prayer for all peoples

Reading:  Jude 

From Jude, servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,
to those who are dear to God the Father and kept safe,
wishing you mercy and peace and love

I write with urgency to appeal to you:
stand up for the faith that has been entrusted to us

Some false teachers have infiltrated our ranks.
They reject the teaching of our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
They say "anything goes" in the area of morality.

Such teaching, such people, must be opposed.
Be kind to such people, but with great caution

To God who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord,
be glory and all honor, now and forever

Reflection:  
This passage is very relevant for 2014 when some people say "anything goes"

Prayer: Jesus, please protect your church from false teachers

Reading:  John 17

After saying many things to his disciples at the meal, Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed "Father, my time has come. Give eternal life to everyone you have entrusted to me

Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent

I have glorified you on earth, and finished the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with the glory I had with you before the world existed

Protect those you have given me. Protect them from Satan. Consecrate them in the truth

As you sent me into the world, so I am sending them into the world. May all my followers be united, so that the world will believe it was you who sent me"

Reflection: 
The truth protects us from Satan, the Father of Lies. Untruthfulness opens a door for Satan to influence our lives, our society, our world

Prayer: Jesus, please protect our world from lies and deception. Please bless people who witness to the truth in difficult situations