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 us hope, wisdom, compassion, courage and peace for our daily life           Chinese text

Reading:  Judges 8

After Gideon defeated all the enemies of the Israelites,
the Israelites asked him to be their ruler.

He replied: "It is not I who shall rule over you, nor my son;
The Lord must be your ruler".

After Gideon's death, the people of Israel again began
to worship the local idols.  They no longer remembered
the Lord who had so often rescued them.

The people were also ungrateful to Gideon's family
despite all the good deeds that family had done for Israel.

Reflection: 
Gideon was a good leader. But once he died, the people lost their way.
So today ...people and nations have lost their way through lack of good leaders.
c.f. article by Ron Nikkel on yesterday's menu re leadership, with the words:
"there is a bankruptcy of dependable and decisive leadership at every level of society and in every field of business, politics, justice, religion, economics, peace making, education"

Prayer:  Dear God, please give the world good leaders .... like Gideon

Reading: Psalm 46

God is for us a refuge and strength,
in time of distress he is a helper close at hand.

Therefore we shall not fear even though the earth should rock,
even though the mountains fall into the sea.

The Lord of hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come and consider the works of the Lord
and always remember his words:

"Be still and know that I am God".

Reflection: (Two songs based on this psalm)
YouTube: A Mighty Fortress is our God   and Be Still and Know that I am God

Prayer: Lord, please help me to be still and know that you are God

Reading:  One Peter 3

Be agreeable and sympathetic. Love everyone.
Have compassion and be self-effacing

Never pay back one wrong with another, or an angry word with another one. Instead, pay back with a blessing

Anyone who wants to have a happy life must banish malice from his tongue; he must avoid evil, do good and seek peace

Reflection: 
The best way to put the above words into practice is to get into the habit of remembering Jesus' presence. Then when faced with harsh words it's not so hard to remember to pray for harsh-word people: "Lord, please bless them"

Reading:  John 10

Jesus said to the religious leaders "I am the gate of the sheepfold. If anyone enters the sheepfold by some other means than the gate, that person is a thief

The person who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the flock. The sheep hear his voice as he calls each one by name and leads them out of the sheepfold

When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that people may have life, not just now but for ever"

Reflection:
Speaking of leadership (c.f. above, reading from Judges), the Number One Example of leadership in the world's history is the Good Shepherd

Prayer: Jesus, Good Shepherd, please help leaders to be more like you