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

Please feel free to add  insights and prayers in the comment box below. 

 Reading - Reflection - Prayer   May 27, 2013 
With readers' comments, below  

Reading:  Jeremiah 3-6

The country has no rain
because its people have forgotten the Lord.

The people refuse to repent
and
so the land has many sorrows.

Stop and think about the past: which was the good way to live?
Follow that way now and you will find peace for yourselves and the land.

Reflection: 
Human behaviour influences the health of the land.
We must admit that "the land has many sorrows because we refuse to repent of putting too much carbon gas into the atmosphere"

Prayer: Lord,  please bless our land - by helping us be better people

 

Reading:  Psalm 85

I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace.

Peace for his people and his friends
and those who turn to him in their hearts.

His help is near for those who love him
and his glory will dwell in our land.

Mercy and faithfulness have met.
Justice and peace have embraced.

Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice shall look down from heaven.

The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.

Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps

Reflection: 
When Jesus said at the Last Supper that he was giving his special gift of peace,
he was confirming the above words
that God's voice speaks of peace 

Prayer: Lord, please give more peace to our world

 
Reading:  Acts 22

Paul was taken into the soldiers' barracks. The captain ordered Paul to be tortured to find out the truth about his situation

But when they tied him down, Paul said "Is it legal for you to flog a  Roman citizen?

The captain said "It cost me a lot of money to acquire Roman citizenship". 
Paul replied "I was born a Roman citizen"

Paul was untied without being flogged

Reflection: One of the six key aims of Amnesty International is the abolition of torture.  
Amnesty received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 for its campaign against
torture


Prayer: 
Jesus, help people who are being tortured today

 
Reading: Matthew 27

Early in the morning, the religious leaders had Jesus bound with ropes.
They then took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

The leaders accused Jesus of many crimes.
To the governor's amazement, Jesus remained silent.

The leaders persuaded the crowd to demand
the execution of Jesus. They called out to Pilate "Crucify him".

Pilate asked "Why? What has he done wrong?"
The crowd shouted all the louder "Crucify him. Crucify him".

Pilate then washed his hands in front of the crowd and said
"I am innocent of this man's blood".
The crowd shouted "His blood be on us and on our children".

Pilate then ordered Jesus to be scourged and crucified.

Reflection: 
When we are falsely accused of something or when we are made fun of or when we are criticised, 
usually we speak up to defend ourselves.  Unlike the silent Jesus before Pilate.
Remaining silent in the face of criticism etc takes a lot of practice and self-control

Prayer: Jesus,  please help me ..."all things being equal" ... to remain silent when criticised/ridiculed/accused

Comments welcome here