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:  Two Samuel 16-24

When David was living in exile,
some people helped him, some people insulted him.

To insult his father and to claim the kingship
Absalom publicly made love with his father's concubines.

Gradually David was able to re-build his army
and his army defeated Absalom's soldiers in battle.

In that battle, Absalom died
and David mourned his death for a long time.

Eventually David was able to become king of all Israel again.

Reflection: 
The above is just a summary of a most interesting long story 
which honestly and truthfully shows the good and bad things that happened in David's life ...warts and all

Prayer: Dear God, please help  people who are exiled from their homes

Reading:  Psalm 107 

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His great love is without end.

Let them say this, those the Lord has helped,
people from east and west, north and south.

Some people wandered in the desert, 
lost and unable to find their way to safety.

In their hunger and thirst they cried to the Lord for help.
He rescued them and showed them the way to safety.

Let them thank the Lord for his love,
for he fills the hungry with good things.

Some people were prisoners in misery and chains,
living in darkness and gloom.

In their distress they cried to the Lord for help.
He rescued them and restored their freedom.

Let them thank the Lord for his goodness,
for he shatters the iron bars of prisons.

Some people were sick on account of their sins,
unable to eat,  and close to death.

They cried to the Lord in their need.
He healed them and saved them from the grave.

Let them thank the Lord for his love,
for the wonders he does for us.

Some people sailed to the sea in ships
and were caught in terrifying storms.

They cried to the Lord in their need
and he calmed the sea and wind.

Let them thank the Lord for his love,
for the wonders he does for us.

Whoever is wise should meditate on these things
and reflect on the love of the Lord.

Reflection: 
Each of us can remember times when we were rescued/saved from physical/moral danger. I remember being saved by a life-saver when caught in a rip while swimming.
I remember being protected from a dangerous car crash...by the action of another driver who saw I was making a big mistake while driving. 
Times of rescue from moral danger also come to mind

Prayer:  Thank you Lord, for your rescuing love

Reading:  Revelation 18 

I saw another angel, shouting at the top of his voice:
"Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen.
Gone for ever, never to return, is your life of magnificence and ease"

Another voice spoke from heaven:
"Come out, my people, away from Babylon,
so that you do not experience her punishment"

Reflection: 
From the earliest books of the Bible to this last book, there is a theme of "Come out, my people" -  away from Haran (Abraham), Egypt (the Hebrews), Babylon 01(the exiles), Babylon 02 (a pagan life-style)

Prayer: Jesus, please help us not be contaminated by worldly values

Reading:  Matthew 9

One day John the Baptist's friends asked Jesus
"How come we and the religious leaders fast, but your friends don't?"

Jesus replied
"Fasting is a good thing, and after I have left this world
my friends will  fast.

But remember that multiplying external prayers and fasts
without a change of heart  is useless.

Out of date religious structures need a drastic overhaul,
not just external plastic surgery."

Reflection: 
During this month of July, Muslims are taking seriously the fasting (and feasting!) of Ramadan. May Christians rediscover the value of fasting

Prayer:  Jesus, please help me practise a bit of fasting,
especially each Friday, the day you died