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 R-R-P 

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 

But Demetrius once again made war on Jonathan, this time with
a larger army than before.

Jonathan bravely faced and defeated Demetrius' army before they could enter the land of Israel.

Not long after this Jonathan was tricked and captured  by Trypho who wanted to become king of Asia,
replacing Antiochus.

Reflection:  
Even when some leaders try to use peaceful means to secure peace, others leaders still resort to force.
Maybe if all countries had senior ministers who had attended courses in conflict resolution, 
there would not be any need for anyone to use force.

Prayer: Dear God, please give wisdom and courage ....and conflict resolution skills...to all leaders!

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: A famous hymn based on this psalm:
O God our help in ages past   -  YouTube choir version (beautiful!)

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

We must be careful to understand Scripture according to God's mind.
We are not free to make up our own interpretations as we like

In the past there were false prophets. So there will always be false prophets and teachers
who twist the truth to suit their own tastes and corrupt behavior.
They will have much to answer for when the Day of the Lord comes

Our brother Paul has written to you about this issue. 
Sometimes his writing is not easy to understand, and is distorted by false teachers

Avoid false teaching. Stand firm in the truth.
Go on growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To him be glory, in time and in eternity. Amen

Reflection: 
Correct understanding of the Bible is not a simple matter. Even the Bible scholars disagree on many things.
Some groups edit the Bible to suit their own ideas (e.g. the Jehovah Witnesses...they don't believe Jesus is God, 
so that change or omit New Testament references to Jesus' divinity). How can we understand the Bible "according to God's mind"?   By following reliable and trustworthy translations/authors....and by prayerfully reading the Bible over a long period.
After a few years we get a feel for what the real message is...and can sense when a wrong interpretation is offered to us

Prayer: Jesus,  protect us from people who distort the Bible message

Once when Jesus was walking along the road, he saw a man who had been blind from birth

Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud with the spittle.
He put the mud on the man's eyes, and said "Go and wash in the Siloam Pool"

The blind man went and washed, and came away able to see

When the blind man heard people criticize Jesus, he said
"Ever since the world began, it has never been recorded that someone opened the eyes of a man born blind.
 This man must be from God"

Reflection: 
This passage makes us think about physical blindness - encouraging us to pray for our physically blind friends -
and spiritual blindness - reminding us of John Newton who composed Amazing Grace with the words "I was blind, but now I see".  Many YouTube recordings of Amazing Grace can be found at www.googl.com 

Prayer:  Jesus, please heal my blind friend ....(name)....,
and heal me of spiritual blindness that stops me seeing the goodness and needs of others