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:  The Song of Songs 5-7

The groom:
You are beautiful, my love,
as beautiful as Jerusalem.

How beautiful are your feet and thighs.
The curve of your thighs is like the curve of a necklace.

Your navel is like an exquisite wine glass.
Your belly is like a heap of wheat.

Your two breasts are like two baby deer.
Your neck is like an ivory tower.

Your eyes are like beautiful water pools.
Your nose is like a majestic tower.

How beautiful you are, how charming,
my love, my delight.

Reflection:
Groom starts at bride's feet and works his way up.
I wonder what a modern wife would say if her husband said "your belly is like a heap of wheat"?!
Groom stands for God, who when he first made the world saw that "everything (including the human body) was good".
We are "wonderfully made" and God is pleased with what he has made...like parents admiring a new baby

Prayer: Lord, please help me understand how much you love us

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart.
You have heard the words of my mouth.

With the angels I will bless you.
I will adore you in your holy temple.

I thank you for your faithfulness and love
which are far above what we can understand.

On the day I called you answered.
You increased the strength of my soul.

All earth's kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth.

They shall sing of the Lord's ways:
"How great is the glory of the Lord!"

Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes.

Your love, O Lord, is eternal.
Do not abandon us whom you have made. 

Reflection:
As we grow older, we become more aware of, and thankful for, the love of our parents when we were young.
As we grow older, we likewise become more aware of, and thankful for, the love of God right through our lives

Prayer: Lord, when we remember how much you love us and help us, 
every day of the year is a Thanksgiving Day

When  people heard the apostles' group speaking in many different languages, some said the apostles were drunk

Peter stood up with the Eleven and said to the crowd:
These people are not drunk. It's only 9am....too early to drink.
What is happening is what God said through the prophet Joel:

'I, the Lord, will pour out my spirit on all peoples. They will prophesy and see visions. 
I will pour out my spirit on everyone'

Reflection:
Let's keep praying each day for the coming conclave. 
Heavenly Father, pour out your Spirit on the conclave cardinals. May they prophesy and see visions!

Prayer:  Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on all peoples, all nations....and on the conclave cardinals!

Jesus said to the people:

Do not judge other people,
and God will not judge you.

It's so easy to be aware of other people's faults
yet be blind to your own faults.

Persevere in prayer. Ask and you will receive.
Search and you will find.
Knock and the door will be opened.

You like to give good things to your children.
God likes to give good things to you.

Treat other people
the way you would like them to treat you.

Beware of bad leaders.
A sure way to know if someone is good or bad:
are their actions good or bad?

If you put my words into practice,
you are like someone who builds his house on rock.

If you ignore my words,
you are like someone who builds his house on sand.

Reflection:    
Theory needs to be put into practice. Faith needs to be expressed in good deeds.
"Practise what you preach".
What an important word "practice" is!

 Prayer: Jesus, please help me put your words into practice...just as you practised what you preached
(e.g. on the Cross, you forgave those who were killing you)