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This plan follows the Sunday liturgy:     reading + psalm + reading + gospel                  From  www.simplebible.info        Previous Bible Plans 

O Holy Spirit, please guide me as I read these passages for today.                     
May these passages give me hope, strength, wisdom, compassion, courage and peace for my daily life             Chinese text

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R-R-P  Reading - Reflection - Prayer  Dec 6, 2012

Reading:  First Maccabees 9
King Demetrius sent another army against Israel. The size of this army was so large that many of Judas'
soldiers deserted him. Judas had only a small force to fight the king's army. Judas could have saved his life by running away from the battle, but he courageously chose to stay and fight. Judas died in the battle and his troops fled. Judas' brother Jonathan succeeded him as leader of the Jews. Jonathan gradually reclaimed control of most of the country
and again there was peace for a time.

Reflection:  
Judas and a small army had previously beaten many large armies. But this time his small army defeated itself, by many desertions. In life this often happens: people who could have, and should have, taken a stand on important issues,  decide it's too risky for their career/comfort etc. Their desertion leaves only "a few brave people" whose reduced size makes it easier for bullies to win battles....at least for the time being...until courage breeds new warriors...to win the war

Prayer: Jesus,  please give me more of the courage of Judas

 
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 Philippine 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:  1 Peter 5
Do what the elders tell you. Wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other.
God refuses the proud and favors the humble.

Bow down before the power of God, and he will raise you up.
Unload all your worries on to him, since he is looking after you

Be calm, but careful, because your enemy the Devil is prowling round like a roaring lion,
looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith. Peace to all who are in Christ

Reflection: 
Lack of humility (pride) is a cancer in any individual or any group. Naked ambition strips away unity and harmony and peace.
Humility before God is basic to anyone's spirituality. We can often hide our pride from people, but never from the Lord.
Pride was Satan's downfall. Pride opens to door of our hearts to Satan's influence. No wonder Jesus' final class for the apostles was a lesson in humility as he washed their feet

Prayer: Jesus, please give me a humble heart like yours, wanting to serve rather than be served
 
Reading:  John 8
While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, the religious leaders brought to him a women who had been caught committing adultery. The leaders said to Jesus "According to the Law of Moses, this woman should be stoned to death. What do you say?"  They said this  to test him, looking for something to use against him

Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. Since they kept up their questioning, he looked up and said to them "If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to cast a stone". Then he kept writing on the ground

The leaders went away, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman. 
Jesus said to her "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?
"No one, sir", she replied. "Neither do I condemn you", said Jesus. "Go and don't sin any more"

Reflection: I wonder what Jesus wrote on the ground? The leaders' sins?

Prayer:  "If you, O Lord, should write a record of our sins, who would not be guilty?" (Psalm 130)

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