Vatican 2 calls on all Christians to read the Bible,   'to have a burning love'   for the Word of God

This reading plan follows the Sunday liturgy: reading + psalm + reading + gospel            From www.simplebible.info 

O Holy Spirit, please guide me as I read these passages for today. 
May these passages give me hope, strength, wisdom, courage and peace for my daily life 

January 4, 2012    


Genesis 4

Two of Adam and Eve's sons were Cain and Abel.
Cain was a farmer.  Abel was a shepherd.

Cain was jealous of his brother Abel.

God said to Cain: "Get control of yourself."
But Cain let his anger take over, and he killed Abel.

God asked Cain, "Where is Abel?"
Cain answered, "How should I know? I'm not his security guard."

God replied, "I can hear your brother's blood crying out to me from the ground.   That same ground will no longer give you any crops."

Dear God, please help me not to get angry with other people

Psalm 3

When people make fun of me for believing in you, Lord,
I deeply remember how you are my help and my shield.

Even when the whole world seems against me,
I can go to bed and sleep easy, knowing that you protect me.

O Lord, please rescue me from people who plot against me.
Lord our savior, please bless everyone who needs help.

Lord, thank you for your protection and help

Acts 1

After Jesus went up to heaven from the Mount of Olives, 
the apostles went back down to Jerusalem, 
a walk of about half a kilometer

They gathered in an upstairs room which they used as a meeting place. The 11 apostles were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon and Jude

They spent a long time praying. With them were several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and also Jesus' brothers
Jesus, your apostles' group spent special time in prayer preparing for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
 I now ask them in heaven to pray that the Holy Spirit
 will increase his influence in my life


Matthew 2

After the wise men left Bethlehem,
an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said
"Go quickly to Egypt,
because Herod wants to kill the child".

That same night, Joseph got up
and set out for Egypt with Mary and Jesus.

Herod was angry after being tricked by the wise men.
He got his soldiers to kill all baby boys two years old or younger
in Bethlehem.

After Herod died some months later,
an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream
and told him to return to Israel.

Joseph, Mary and Jesus moved to the town of Nazareth,
thus fulfilling the prophecy about the Anointed One:
"He will be called a Nazarene".

Jesus, you were once a refugee.
  Please bless all refugees in the world today