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 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

Reading:  First Maccabees 10
When King Demetrius was challenged for the throne by Alexander,
Demetrius tried to get Jonathan's support for a possible war with Alexander. 
Alexander then also sought Jonathan's support, and appointed him as high priest of Israel.

Demetrius again tried to win Jonathan's support, but Jonathan and the Jews did not trust Demetrius.
Alexander and Demetrius went to war. Demetrius  died in the battle.

Alexander then became king.
He married Cleopatra, daughter of Egypt's Ptolemy, thus securing a treaty with Egypt.
Jonathan met Alexander and Ptolemy and was given great honor in their presence.

About 147 B.C. Demetrius son of Demetrius challenged Alexander for the throne.
This younger Demetrius also challenged Jonathan to fight.
Jonathan defeated the army of Demetrius.
Alexander then gave Jonathan new honors.

Reflection:  
How complicated is the world of international relations. Who knows what really goes on?
When confidential papers are released after 30 or 50 years, we are surprised at things that were said and done.
So many leaders are guided by ambition and service of pressure groups and lobbyists rather than service of their people.

Prayer: Jesus, please give the world good leaders. Please help leaders be better people.

For my soul is filled with evils.
My life is on the brink of the grave.

I am reckoned as one in the tomb.
I have reached the end of my strength.

Will your love be told in the grave?
Will your wonders be known in the dark?

Fear surrounds  me like a flood.
They keep on assailing me.

All my friends have deserted me.
My only companion is darkness.

Reflection: 
On the brink of the grave: people in the final stage of terminal cancer; people tempted by suicide;
people ravaged by drugs.
No friends: many drug addicts, AIDS patients, street sleepers, prisoners. We can use Ps 88 on their behalf

Prayer: Jesus, please help people who are at the end of their strength, people who are friendless.
May they know your strength and peace. May they know your friendship

By his divine power, he has given us all we need for life and faith.
He has called us to share his divine nature in his eternal kingdom

So we must do our best to live lives of goodness, understanding, 
self-control, patience, a love for prayer, kindness and love

Reflection: 
We can talk about Jesus, we can teach our children and students and parishioners about Jesus,
and yet not really know Jesus ourselves.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, may I see you more clearly, love you more dearly,
follow you more nearly, day by day 

If you take my words to heart, you will be my disciples.
You will learn the truth, and the truth will set you free"

Reflection: 
One way of taking Jesus' words to our hearts, is to discipline ourselves into giving a few minutes a day to reading his words in the Bible....and then thinking and praying about how those words apply to our lives. A good habit is to do some Bible reading early in the morning, and then during the day let that reading percolate in our minds and hearts

Prayer:  Jesus,  please give more light to my life. Increase my love for your teaching. 
Help me learn more about truth