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 Blogs 

O Holy Spirit, may these passages give me hope, wisdom, compassion, courage and peace for my daily life     Chinese text

  Reading:  Genesis 38 

Jacob's son Judah had three sons - Er, Onan and Shelah.

Er married Tamar,
but not long after the wedding, Er died.

So, according to custom, 
Judah asked Onan to marry Tamar
and have a child for his brother.

But Onan spilt his seed each time he slept with Tamar,
so Tamar did not conceive.

Judah then said to Tamar 
"Wait till Shelah grows up,
and you can marry him."

But when Shelah was older, he still hadn't been given to Tamar.

So Tamar tricked her father-in-law Judah.

She dressed as a prostitute and conceived a baby by Judah.

Judah did not know that the woman was Tamar;
her face was covered.

Three months later  Judah was told that his daughter-in-law
was pregnant after acting as a prostitute.

Judah followed the harsh local  custom and said
"Take her outside and burn her."

But Tamar  produced Judah's seal, stick and cord
which he had given to her as a pledge when he had sex with her.

So Judah admitted his guilt and freed Tamar
who gave birth to twin boys.

Reflection: 
Tamar's burning desire to have a child affects every one of us...one of her twins was Perez....who continued the family line ....and eventually that line produced history's most famous baby....born in a stable  (see Matthew 1.3 where Tamar and Perez are listed in the genealogy of Jesus)

Prayer: Dear God, please help couples who are having trouble having a baby

Reading: Psalms 20-21

May the Lord protect and help you,
may he give you your heart's desire
and fulfil every one of your plans.

Some trust in chariots or horses,
but we trust in the Lord.

Reflection:
This is a lovely prayer to pray on behalf of Pope Francis!

Prayer: Lord, please protect and help Pope Francis.  Please bless all his plans

Reading:  Galatians 2

What makes us God's friends is not obedience to the Law,
but faith in Jesus Christ

I have been crucified with Christ, and I live now,
not with my own life, but with the life of Christ who lives in me

The life I now live in this body, I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake

Reflection: 
We can understand how a baby lives inside its mother, but how does Jesus "live in us"?   c.f. many famous stories about children being the "spitting image" of their parents (in looks and mannerisms).....we are meant to become "spitting images" of Jesus....so that when people see us, they might even sometimes say "you remind me of Jesus"...in which case we can say "Jesus lives in us"

Prayer: Jesus, help me understand how you live in me, and I live in you

Reading:  Luke 1

Mary said "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior. Starting from today, all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me"

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about 3 months and then went home

Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives shared her joy. When the child was circumcised on the 8th day, he was given the name John

Reflection:
About 10 minutes before working on this file, I received a phone call from a Chinese friend whose wife entered hospital today....due to have a baby in next day or so....after some 6 years of lack of success. Husband asking for prayers and if I would visit mother and baby (... of course I will...)

Prayer: Jesus, please bless all women who are having a baby today
 ...especially the above dear friend