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 12

As the elderly Samuel handed over leadership to Saul,
he said to all the people:
"In future it is the king who will lead you.

The Lord is my witness that I have never treated you unjustly.

You must follow the Lord with all your heart.
Do not turn your back on the Lord's way.
Do not follow false ways."

Reflection: 
Would that all leaders could say at the end of their lives 
"I have never treated anyone unjustly"

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the life of Samuel.
Please help all leaders to treat their people justly

Reading:  Psalm 90

O Lord you have been our refuge 
from one generation to the next.

Before the earth or the world existed,
you are God, without beginning or end.

For you, a thousand years are like yesterday, 
come and gone so quickly.

We humans have a short life,
our life is over like a sigh.

Our span is 70 years,
or 80 for those who are strong.

Make us know the shortness of our life,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.

In the morning, fill us with your love.
Give success to the work of our hands.

Reflection: 
This psalm does some deep thinking about the meaning of life, the big picture.

Prayer: Lord, help us realize the shortness of our life,  that we may live our lives more wisely

Reading:  Revelation 2 

The Son of Man gave me this message for the church in Ephesus:

"I know all about you. I know how much you have suffered for me.

But your love has grown cold. 
Repent, and revive your original love"

Reflection:  
Love grows cold when it stops "going out" and starts "looking inwards",
which is why Pope Francis is continually challenging us to "look outwards", especially towards the poor

Prayer: Jesus, please keep my love for you strong. Don't let it grow cold

Reading:  Matthew 4

After he was baptized,
Jesus spent about 40 days praying and fasting in the desert.
During this time, he was tempted by Satan.

"If you are the Son of God,
change some stones into bread" said Satan.

Jesus replied "Human life needs more than bread.
Life needs God's message".

Satan then  took Jesus to a high place and said
"Throw yourself down, since the angels will protect you".

Jesus replied
"Presumption is a sin".

Then Satan  took Jesus to a high mountain
and showed him all the nations of the world.

"Worship me and I will give you all these nations" said Satan.

Jesus replied
"Go away, Satan!   Only God is to be worshipped".

The devil then went away.

Reflection: 
Jesus puts into practice what is said in Chapter 5 of 1 Peter:
stand up to the Devil = don't fall for the Devil's soft talk

Prayer: Jesus, please protect us from Satan and from evil