Pope Francis

Pope's Encyclical:The Joy of the Gospel

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Imitating Pope Francis Francis

What does it mean that
Jesus is risen?

It means that the love of God is stronger than evil and death

It means that the love of God can transform our lives and let desert places in our hearts bloom Pope Francis, Easter 2013

April 22 Tuesday of Easter Week

International Mother Earth Day
Theme this year: Green Cities

Today's Bible readings
In the Gospels, the first person
to see the Risen Jesus is .......... ?

Ron Nikkel: Jesus Incognito Why Mary did not recognize him is a mystery; if ever there was someone she should have recognized it was the man who was her friend and teacher, the man she dearly loved. How could she have mistaken Jesus for the gardener? If Jesus was standing next to us or walking down the street with us or grilling fish on the shore of a lake – would we recognize him? Vatican II & Renewal (1) 16 Documents of Vatican II A Call to Action Assn Catholic Priests Ireland Bp Pat Power Bp Geoff Robinson Bruce Duncan Catalyst for Renewal Catholica Catholics for Ministry Catholics for Renewal STANDUP4VATICAN2 The Swag VII - Voice of the Church We Are Church Excellent articles on Mission Hugh McMahon SSC The Sacred Treasure of the Poor “I have finally come to realize why Jesus has such a passionate love, yes, a passionate love for the poor and the outcasts. He could see clearly how an arrogant and self-righteous society had stripped millions of his poor of their dignity and pride as God’s children and reduced them, even in their own eyes, to nothing more than unwanted trash. Now I understand why he took pride in identifying himself as the Good Shepherd and homeless himself, because he himself was treated by the leaders of his own people as trash to be eliminated.” Growing up behind bars: 1,500 children being raised by parents in Bolivian jails John Allen: What the canonizations of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II tell us Pope Francis Full text 141. One cannot but admire the resources that the Lord used to dialogue with his people, to reveal his mystery to all and to attract ordinary people by his lofty teachings and demands. I believe that the secret lies in the way Jesus looked at people, seeing beyond their weaknesses and failings: “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” ; Jesus preaches with that spirit. Full of joy in the Spirit, he blesses the Father who draws the little ones to him: “I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes”. The Lord truly enjoys talking with his people; the preacher should strive to communicate that same enjoyment to his listeners. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned how I helped bail out an inmate who asked for help. Since then that inmate has been doing a few jobs for me. Last week another inmate (in a separate section of the prison, with no access to first inmate) asked for bail out help. I told him I'd get someone (the first inmate) to take the bail money to court for him today. When I showed the first inmate the name of the second inmate he looked stunned: second inmate was the guy he had a fight with ....which is why both were in detention .....with the same bail (HK$500...which neither could afford)....both due to go to court at same trial at end of next month. Both men now aware of what's happening today ....and have promised to be friends in the future. This website's Tanzania File (updated yesterday with news re two new African women arrested at HK airport recently) (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs) John W mini-Blog Noticing God's presence in a busy city (c.f. yesterday's mini-Blog, below): Yesterday I spotted God on the metro ....in the form of kindness ....when a teenage girl gave up her seat for an old lady Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Tuesday, please bless the people of South Asia On this 22nd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month Full text of Pope's Easter Message ...which becomes a beautiful prayer as he goes along Foster love as globe celebrates Easter (Editorial, The Citizen, Tanzania) We are an Easter people - a grandmother with cancer April 21 Easter Monday Today's Bible readings The day after Easter we joyfully keep thinking about what happened - like supporters whose team yesterday won the Grand Final! Darlene Starrs (Canada) Happy Easter Everyone! Ordaining married men might well stymie the cause of women, however, with a precedent in place, where local Churches are encouraged to solve particular ecclesial problems, it seems reasonable to assume that the solution of ordaining women is a future possibility This website's kind bloggers (past and present) with archives of articles: Bakhita Hazel C Daniel Daring Inigo Joachim Brian Lewis Judith Lynch Martin Mallon Chris McDonnell Bill Mulcahy Des O'Donnell Darlene Starrs TASMAD David Timbs Peter Wilkinson Harry Winter John Wotherspoon This website tries to stop "tanks" (war, global warming, exploitation of the poor, globalisation of indifference, liturgical "reform of the reform" & other anti-Vatican II forces etc) Weekly Archive of main page menus Previous archives 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 John W: Previous Daily Blogs Daniel Daring Easter Reflection: He saw and believed To believe that Jesus is alive means to commune with Him, to recall His words recorded in the Gospels, and to sense His presence when everything tries to tell you that He is absent On Good Friday the theme of financial greed was mentioned in Pope Francis' services. As I thought about this, the phrase "economic apartheid" came to mind as a description of what is happening in the world. When I Googled "economic apartheid" I found a book with this very title. A book written some years ago which raises the same concerns as Pope Francis. In fact, one review of the book, at this Amazon link, has the words: "the old claim that this wealth trickles down to benefit others is simply false, and Collins and Yeskel give facts and figures to demonstrate its falsity". This is the same claim that Francis makes. See this Washington Post report: Pope denounces "trickle-down" economics. Bottom line: in the same way that people around the world exposed and opposed apartheid in South Africa until it collapsed, so now people around the world need to expose and oppose "economic apartheid" until it collapses Police accused of missing chance to catch major crime bosses Church leaders attack asylum policies Interactive Bible Quiz - Genesis Based on the actual words of the Bible. How many times can you get 3/3 ?! Pope Francis Full text 140. This setting, both maternal and ecclesial, in which the dialogue between the Lord and his people takes place, should be encouraged by the closeness of the preacher, the warmth of his tone of voice, the unpretentiousness of his manner of speaking, the joy of his gestures. Even if the homily at times may be somewhat tedious, if this maternal and ecclesial spirit is present, it will always bear fruit, just as the tedious counsels of a mother bear fruit, in due time, in the hearts of her children. Seen on tea shirt in HK: Nobody's perfect. I am nobody This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs) John W mini-Blog To counter a feeling of sadness that Easter means so little to most people in Hong Kong, I reflected yesterday on Pope Francis' words: look for God's presence in a busy city. So, as I walked along the road to Tai Lam Prison, I thought about God's presence in the ground we walk on, in the trees and plants and flowers by the road, in the birds of the air, in the kindness of people helping each other (especially parents helping tiny children and people helping older people....where there is love, God is there), in the service and patience of bus drivers, in the cloud above (a reminder of the Holy Spirit) etc etc. Our job as humans: to be more aware of God's presence, to grow in appreciation of his love, to discover his love in our world, in our lives, in our hearts ....and respond to that love. Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Monday, please bless the people of Europe and Russia On this 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month April 20 EASTER SUNDAY Readings & Reflection (ACP) Reflection by Daniel Daring: The One who is ever-present “Do not be afraid; go an tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me”. Jesus does not go away; He goes ahead. He goes ahead of us to our homes and work places. “The living Jesus” is an ever-present reality in the lives of His believers whether in Galilee, Rome or any other city, town, and village of the world At this link (thank you Peter for sending it!) Holy Saturday: Waiting to cross over At the very point of our failure and betrayals, when we taste our own impotence and limit, if we are not afraid to live in his absence, we discover him. Pope Francis: Thank you Holy Spirit Inspiring photos: Link Link Links 01 02 Link Link Link Link Link Newness, harmony, mission Engagements of Pope Francis Zenit.org - reports from Rome Many thanks for checking this website each day St Paul on Metro/Tube/MTR! Little girl telling the story of Jonah - brilliant! Pope's Good Friday services: Financial greed condemned 60 Minutes - Video and full script: Pope Francis' first year filled with surprises Click to enlarge Finding strength, community in the washing of feet My husband and I chose to wash one another's feet during our wedding ceremony as a symbol of our love for each other and for our world (... many more wedding feet washing photos here!) Making a Mess in the Abbey Church: Foot Washing 2014 - check comment #4 re bishop washing feet at women's prison! The story of Betty Wong in Hong Kong - why she is very unpopular with HK netizens (If anyone can find this story in Chinese media, please let me know: jdwomi@gmail.com ) The Seedy Side of Sainthood: John Paul II Canonized Too Fast? 'Heaven is for Real' is a compelling story, not a canned sermon c.f. my file: Near Death Experiences Melbourne's Father Bob Maguire turns to hip hop in bid to tackle homelessness Pope Francis Full text 139. We said that the people of God, by the constant inner working of the Holy Spirit, is constantly evangelizing itself. What are the implications of this principle for preachers? It reminds us that the Church is a mother, and that she preaches in the same way that a mother speaks to her child, knowing that the child trusts that what she is teaching is for his or her benefit, for children know that they are loved. Moreover, a good mother can recognize everything that God is bringing about in her children, she listens to their concerns and learns from them. The spirit of love which reigns in a family guides both mother and child in their conversations; therein they teach and learn, experience correction and grow in appreciation of what is good. Something similar happens in a homily. The same Spirit who inspired the Gospels and who acts in the Church also inspires the preacher to hear the faith of God’s people and to find the right way to preach at each Eucharist. Christian preaching thus finds in the heart of people and their culture a source of living water, which helps the preacher to know what must be said and how to say it. Just as all of us like to be spoken to in our mother tongue, so too in the faith we like to be spoken to in our “mother culture,” our native language, and our heart is better disposed to listen. This language is a kind of music which inspires encouragement, strength and enthusiasm. Easter - we again use "Alleluia" (after not using it for 6 weeks of Lent). So, this alleluia joke: A man bought a donkey from a preacher. The preacher told the man that this donkey had been trained in a very unique way (being the donkey of a preacher). The only way to make the donkey go, was to say, "Hallelujah!" The only way to make the donkey stop, was to say, "Amen!" The man was pleased with his purchase and immediately got on the animal to try out the preacher's instructions. "Hallelujah!" shouted the man. The donkey began to trot. "Amen!" shouted the man. The donkey stopped immediately. "This is great!" said the man. With a "Hallelujah" he rode off, very proud of his new purchase. The man traveled for a long time through the mountains. As he headed towards a cliff, he tried to remember the word to make the donkey stop. "Stop," said the man. "Halt!" he cried. The donkey just kept going. "Oh, no..." ..."Bible...Church!...Please! Stop!!," shouted the man. The donkey just began to trot faster. He was getting closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. Finally, in desperation, the man said a prayer..."Please, dear Lord. Please make this donkey stop before I go off the end of this mountain, In Jesus name, AMEN." The donkey came to an abrupt stop just one step from the edge of the cliff. "HALLELUJAH!" shouted the man. This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons John W mini-Blog A few days ago in a detention centre hospital, a 40 year old man said to me "I'm back again for using drugs. I don't feel like living. I can't stop taking drugs, and each time I go back on drugs, I'm put back in detention. My situation is hopeless". I gave him a copy of Dr Jesus (with stories of many hopeless situations being changed), a copy of the Simple Bible (by which many people in hopeless situations have received new energy and courage to rebuild their lives) and a copy of Dook Hoi (the story of a famous HK addict who came off drugs after being arrested and put in detention about a dozen times), with a prayer that the books would light a fire of faith in his heart to discover the power of the Risen Lord, the Source of Hope Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless the people of Africa On this 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month April 19 HOLY SATURDAY Bishop Bill Wright's 2014 Easter Message: YouTube Text Bible readings (for tonight's Easter Vigil) There are about 3,000 people on Death Row in the US. Most countries no longer have a Death Row, since the death penalty has been abolished. Yesterday as I shared some Good Friday thoughts at a service for prison inmates, it struck me that when "Adam & Eve" chose death instead of life, they consigned themselves and their descendants to Death Row. A staggering thought: I was born on Death Row! Meaning: no access to eternal life, Heaven shut. Then as in A Tale of Two Cities and as in the true story of St Maximillian Kolbe, someone took my place and I was freed from Death Row. Someone died in my place...on Good Friday....and then rose from the dead to destroy the power of death. "And we will live for ever more because of Christmas Day" ...and Good Friday...and Easter Sunday". What place closed down some time after 3pm Good Friday? Click to enlarge Pope Francis kisses feet of women and Muslim man in Maundy Thursday rite (Guardian) HuffPost report (with video) MailOnLine report The unjust treatment of Bishop Bill Morris Tribalism lives on, for better and for worse Tanzanian man on a cross for nine years now - tied to cross on top of his roof for 4 hours each day during Lent Vatican and bishops' conferences urged to consider married priests following signal from Pope Francis Pope Francis Full text 138. The homily cannot be a form of entertainment like those presented by the media, yet it does need to give life and meaning to the celebration. It is a distinctive genre, since it is preaching situated within the framework of a liturgical celebration; hence it should be brief and avoid taking on the semblance of a speech or a lecture. A preacher may be able to hold the attention of his listeners for a whole hour, but in this case his words become more important than the celebration of faith. If the homily goes on too long, it will affect two characteristic elements of the liturgical celebration: its balance and its rhythm. When preaching takes place within the context of the liturgy, it is part of the offering made to the Father and a mediation of the grace which Christ pours out during the celebration. This context demands that preaching should guide the assembly, and the preacher, to a life-changing communion with Christ in the Eucharist. This means that the words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the centre of attention. Holy Saturday tomb joke: There were once some music fanatics who were fascinated with the works of Ludwig von Beethoven. They listened to, and played everything that he had ever written. Finally, after years of saving, they went to Europe to see where this legend had been buried. When they got to the cemetery, they found the tomb where his body had been laid. However, one of the fanatics saw that the door was left slightly ajar. They turned to each other, wondering if they should look in, or shut the door. They decided to look in, just out of curiosity. Upon looking in the tomb, they saw a very strange sight. Beethoven was sitting at a desk, frantically erasing copies of everything he had ever written! "Beethoven, sir!," one of them exclaimed, "What are you doing?!" Beethoven turned calmly to the group, and answered them. "I'm decomposing..." This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons John W mini-Blog Yesterday at Hei Ling Chau Drug Treatment Centre, I had a prayer service with about a dozen older inmates who are regarded as "impossible to help". Began with washing of feet (after reading out loud together John 13.1-15), then reading together of the Passion (sections of Matthew 26-27), then veneration of the Cross, then Communion. For Communion we stood in a circle and then knelt in a circle, asking Jesus for hope and courage Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Saturday, please bless the people of Central & North America On this 19th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanxi Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month Prayer before a Crucifix The Jesus Stabat Mater April 18 GOOD FRIDAY (no meat today...) Bible readings Stations of the Cross from the Iona Passion Play (Brisbane) Chris McDonnell (UK blogger) Letter to The Tablet: Married priests. It’s time Liturgy - New Translation 1998 ICEL Sacramentary Misguided Missal The new translation Ghastly process/result Ron Schmit: 1962 Mass a condemnation of Vatican II PrayTell ------------------------------------------ Spirituality Sacred Space Daily prayer online. Available in 19 languages Jackie Evancho - To Believe Pray-as-you-go.org Daily prayer with beautiful music Whole text of 1966 Jerusalem Bible Previous Smiles file Iranian killer's execution halted at last minute by victim's parents Towards Reform for Mission — Pope Francis as Witness and Evangelist Latin Americans Say Pope Francis Brings Hope to the Poor Pope's team of eight to start scrutiny of the Curia Natural gas is Putin's weapon Jesus 'knows what you are going through,' Cardinal Dolan tells inmates Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram? Rome and Tokyo close in on agreement over Missal translation Pope Francis Full text The liturgical context 137. It is worthy remembering that “the liturgical proclamation of the word of God, especially in the eucharistic assembly, is not so much a time for meditation and catechesis as a dialogue between God and his people, a dialogue in which the great deeds of salvation are proclaimed and the demands of the covenant are continually restated”. The homily has special importance due to its eucharistic context: it surpasses all forms of catechesis as the supreme moment in the dialogue between God and his people which lead up to sacramental communion. The homily takes up once more the dialogue which the Lord has already established with his people The preacher must know the heart of his community, in order to realize where its desire for God is alive and ardent, as well as where that dialogue, once loving, has been thwarted and is now barren The cardinal joked that he likes prison Masses because the congregants "are the only people who never come late or leave early and don't care how long I preach!" (See above, Cardinal Dolan story) 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons John W mini-Blog Good Friday was when a young Eugene de Mazenod was tsunamied by the love of Jesus. May Good Friday always have a powerful effect on our hearts .... and give us courage to live better lives as Christians Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Friday, please bless the people of South America On this 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shandong Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month April 17 HOLY THURSDAY Bible readings (Scroll down for evening readings) This audio is in VOB format...very large...very slow to open....if anyone can please advise how to make it into a smaller file, I'd be most grateful: jdwomi@gmail.com . A moving recording for Holy Thursday: Not long after speaking of sheep & goats at the Last Judgment, Jesus prayed for ...the goats: Love's Freedom (15 mins ABC) audio of Rev. Austen Williams, 1956-1984 vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, (Home of London Ho Ming Wah Chinese People's Day Centre). This recording, broadcast by ABC on April 3, 1980, is one of my favorites. I hope it can be made into a smaller file This site's full statistics for March 2014 To publish an article on this site please contact Fr John Wotherspoon omi: jdwomi@gmail.com If you find a broken link in this website, please contact: jdwomi@gmail.com Why I collect rubbish for Pope Taking a stand Navigation Aids Standing up to bullies "Reform of reform" agenda Too Western/European Abortion - a true story "Same-sex marriage": two elephants in the men's room Near Death Experiences Globalisation of Indifference Tale of Two Brains John W's other sites: www.doctorjesus.org www.riccicenter.com www.simplebible.info www.china8.org www.jesustower.com www.oneminuteenglish.com China Library - essential reading for anyone interested in China's Christian history Tombstone Jesus The cross engraved on tombstones is one of the most enduring symbols of hope associated with death and remembrance. It is a profound symbol that says no matter how tragic, untimely, or horrific death can be – death itself is not the final end of life Photos from a reader in Melbourne who took part in last Sunday's march to support refugees Pope Francis calls it "the globalisation of indifference". Put more bluntly it can be called "the jungalisation of society" ... our return to "the law of the jungle" whereby the weak are at the mercy of the strong .....the survival of the fittest....the poor being more and more excluded from the riches of the earth ....the gap between rich and poor continuing to grow rather than decline....accompanied by welfare programs that are more illusory than real. This editorial in The Sunday Examiner (HK's English Catholic weekly) applies to more and more parts of the world: The illusion of care Increasing disastisfaction with "new translation" Hunger is a 'national crisis', religious leaders tell Cameron Easter Easter memory loss makes plastic of the present Humanity deserves dark skies and starry nights Jesuit death row chaplain- 'We allow revenge to ruin many lives' Tonight: Pope will wash feet of 9 men and 3 women When Pope washes women's feet, arguments follow. Who's right? UK money transfer firms accused of excessive charges on Africa remittances - Two days ago I helped an African inmate transfer money to his family in Africa by Western Union, and the charge was 4.1%. I thought that was a high charge, but linked article says usual charge is higher Pope Francis Full text 136. Let us renew our confidence in preaching, based on the conviction that it is God who seeks to reach out to others through the preacher, and that he displays his power through human words. Saint Paul speaks forcefully about the need to preach, since the Lord desires to reach other people by means of our word. By his words our Lord won over the hearts of the people; they came to hear him from all parts; they were amazed at his teachings, and they sensed that he spoke to them as one with authority. By their words the apostles, whom Christ established “to be with him and to be sent out to preach”, brought ((all)) nations to the bosom of the Church. From article at top of today's menu: Tombstone Jesus Inscription on a rural gravestone in Vermont: “She lived with her husband for fifty years, and died in the confident hope of a better life.” Treat drug addicts as victims, not criminals (excellent editorial in The Citizen of Tanzania) This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons John W mini-Blog Jesus, have mercy on the hundreds of students who died in yesterday's ferry tragedy in Korea ...and give consolation to their families ...and help people avoid such tragedies in the future Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia & the Pacific On this 17th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month April 16 Wednesday of Holy Week Spy Wednesday The pull of Good Friday The older we get the more we realise the connection between the Cross of Christ and our own struggles, and the more we realise that to make any sense of the human condition we have to travel by way of Calvary Today's Bible readings Let's use these readings to think often of Jesus during these sacred days Chris McDonnell (Wed UK blogger) Forgive and start again Yet somehow we have to move on. Carrying the burden of anger, seeking further revenge only serves to maintain the hurt. To see how people in different parts of the world have sought to solve their pain of loss through conflict by extending friendship, is an example to us all Vatican II - Renewal (2) Hans Küng: Letter to bishops Revolution to stop authoritarianism Fr Joseph Ratzinger: Writings on Vat II Robert Mickens: Vatican Implosion Nicholas Lash: Vatican II: Of Happy Memory - and Hope? Robert McNally: Crisis & Criticism in the Church Priests 9 Masses a day - need to ordain married men The evil of compulsory celibacy Link between compulsory celibacy and sexual abuse Why are women not being ordained to priesthood? (updated) This website's Reflections on the 16 documents of Vatican II Pope & statue Statue Of Homeless Jesus Startles A Wealthy Community Pro-refugee demonstration in Canberra Refugees not ''pawns on the chessboard of humanity'' Protesters arrested after praying in Immigration Minsiter's office .... protesters reflect on this experience: Why we did it Reflection from an inmate in a Hong Kong prison: God is only a call away Exodus 33 talks of God and Moses’ conversation while Moses was in the desert. In Moses’ desert, there was no apparent hope, no water, no air conditioning, no happiness and no peace. There is no ‘desert’ too remote for God to hear your cry, whether your desert is your burgled house, a foreign country, or even a prison cell. Hindi edition of Doctor Jesus is now available free on internet, as well as in print. See www.doctorjesus.org (scroll down to Hindi) Pope Francis Full text 135. Let us now look at preaching within the liturgy, which calls for serious consideration by pastors. I will dwell in particular, and even somewhat meticulously, on the homily and its preparation, since so many concerns have been expressed about this important ministry, and we cannot simply ignore them. The homily is the touchstone for judging a pastor’s closeness and ability to communicate to his people. We know that the faithful attach great importance to it, and that both they and their ordained ministers suffer because of homilies: the laity from having to listen to them and the clergy from having to preach them! It is sad that this is the case. The homily can actually be an intense and happy experience of the Spirit, a consoling encounter with God’s word, a constant source of renewal and growth. Spy joke for "Spy Wednesday": There are 3 Spies that get captured. One spy is French, one is German and the other is Italian. Their captors come into the cell and grab the French spy and tie his hands behind a chair in the next room. They torture him for 2 hours before he answers all questions and gives up all of his secrets. The captors throw the French spy back into the cell and grab the German spy. They tie his hands behind the chair as well and torture him for 4 hours before he tells them what they want to know. They throw him back into the cell and grab the Italian spy. They tie his hands behind the chair and begin torturing. 4 hours go by and the spy isn't talking. Then 8 hours, then 16 and after 24 hours they give up and throw him back into the cell. The German and French spy are impressed and ask him how he managed to not talk. The Italian spy responds, " I wanted to, but I couldn't move my hands!". This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons John W mini-Blog Update re baby of African lady in prison ...and request for foster parents in HK: latest is that a wise person with experience in Africa has suggested the best move is to help the baby get back to Africa and be looked after there. Mother has agreed and will find someone from Africa to come to HK and take the baby to Africa Further update: not just one baby, but three. Two other mothers in the same situation. Coming soon: an appeal for help to sponsor two women from Africa to make a return trip to HK, on the return leg taking 3 babies with them Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Wednesday, please bless the people of East Asia On this 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Qinghai Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month On revolving map: Left click bottom right silver button Left click country Left click state/province ....till you find your city/town ! Left click this table of flags for details of hits on this main page Table shows location of readers: Australia 27%; US 17%; UK 16%; HK 15%; Canada 8%; Tanzania 3% This website was launched in construction mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ the King. The official launching was held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20, 2012 Map and Flag Counter began Feb 11, 2012. Previous visits 4,932. Note: counter on this page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this main/index page. Visits to other pages are not recorded. This site's March 2014 statistics Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers! Recent Hong Kong photos Previous China photos Ming Pao articles Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡頌恆神父 Email: jdwomi@gmail.com Hong Kong mobile (852) 6709 5674 China mobile 13030213703 - out of action for the time being Mail address: PO Box 74013 Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon , Hong Kong AITECE *** Cheap International Phone Calls *** China Library: Books The Cross Previous weekly diary Prisoners Oxfam FairTrade MSF Guardian ABC (Aust) School of Evangelization www.China8.org www.DoctorJesus.org www.JesusTower.com www.OneMinuteEnglish.com www.RicciCenter.com www.SimpleBible.info

`www.China8.org`	`www.DoctorJesus.org`	`www.JesusTower.com`
`www.OneMinuteEnglish.com`	`www.RicciCenter.com`	`www.SimpleBible.info`

	Ron Nikkel: Jesus Incognito Why Mary did not recognize him is a mystery; if ever there was someone she should have recognized it was the man who was her friend and teacher, the man she dearly loved. How could she have mistaken Jesus for the gardener? If Jesus was standing next to us or walking down the street with us or grilling fish on the shore of a lake – would we recognize him?	Vatican II & Renewal (1) 16 Documents of Vatican II A Call to Action Assn Catholic Priests Ireland Bp Pat Power Bp Geoff Robinson Bruce Duncan Catalyst for Renewal Catholica Catholics for Ministry Catholics for Renewal STANDUP4VATICAN2 The Swag VII - Voice of the Church We Are Church Excellent articles on Mission Hugh McMahon SSC

	The Sacred Treasure of the Poor “I have finally come to realize why Jesus has such a passionate love, yes, a passionate love for the poor and the outcasts. He could see clearly how an arrogant and self-righteous society had stripped millions of his poor of their dignity and pride as God’s children and reduced them, even in their own eyes, to nothing more than unwanted trash. Now I understand why he took pride in identifying himself as the Good Shepherd and homeless himself, because he himself was treated by the leaders of his own people as trash to be eliminated.”

	Growing up behind bars: 1,500 children being raised by parents in Bolivian jails

	John Allen: What the canonizations of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II tell us

Pope Francis Full text	141. One cannot but admire the resources that the Lord used to dialogue with his people, to reveal his mystery to all and to attract ordinary people by his lofty teachings and demands. I believe that the secret lies in the way Jesus looked at people, seeing beyond their weaknesses and failings: “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” ; Jesus preaches with that spirit. Full of joy in the Spirit, he blesses the Father who draws the little ones to him: “I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes”. The Lord truly enjoys talking with his people; the preacher should strive to communicate that same enjoyment to his listeners.

	A couple of weeks ago I mentioned how I helped bail out an inmate who asked for help. Since then that inmate has been doing a few jobs for me. Last week another inmate (in a separate section of the prison, with no access to first inmate) asked for bail out help. I told him I'd get someone (the first inmate) to take the bail money to court for him today. When I showed the first inmate the name of the second inmate he looked stunned: second inmate was the guy he had a fight with ....which is why both were in detention .....with the same bail (HK$500...which neither could afford)....both due to go to court at same trial at end of next month. Both men now aware of what's happening today ....and have promised to be friends in the future.

	This website's Tanzania File (updated yesterday with news re two new African women arrested at HK airport recently) (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	Noticing God's presence in a busy city (c.f. yesterday's mini-Blog, below): Yesterday I spotted God on the metro ....in the form of kindness ....when a teenage girl gave up her seat for an old lady

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Tuesday, please bless the people of South Asia On this 22nd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

Darlene Starrs (Canada)	Happy Easter Everyone! Ordaining married men might well stymie the cause of women, however, with a precedent in place, where local Churches are encouraged to solve particular ecclesial problems, it seems reasonable to assume that the solution of ordaining women is a future possibility	This website's kind bloggers (past and present) with archives of articles: Bakhita Hazel C Daniel Daring Inigo Joachim Brian Lewis Judith Lynch Martin Mallon Chris McDonnell Bill Mulcahy Des O'Donnell Darlene Starrs TASMAD David Timbs Peter Wilkinson Harry Winter John Wotherspoon This website tries to stop "tanks" (war, global warming, exploitation of the poor, globalisation of indifference, liturgical "reform of the reform" & other anti-Vatican II forces etc) Weekly Archive of main page menus Previous archives 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 John W: Previous Daily Blogs

Daniel Daring Easter Reflection:	He saw and believed To believe that Jesus is alive means to commune with Him, to recall His words recorded in the Gospels, and to sense His presence when everything tries to tell you that He is absent

	On Good Friday the theme of financial greed was mentioned in Pope Francis' services. As I thought about this, the phrase "economic apartheid" came to mind as a description of what is happening in the world. When I Googled "economic apartheid" I found a book with this very title. A book written some years ago which raises the same concerns as Pope Francis. In fact, one review of the book, at this Amazon link, has the words: "the old claim that this wealth trickles down to benefit others is simply false, and Collins and Yeskel give facts and figures to demonstrate its falsity". This is the same claim that Francis makes. See this Washington Post report: Pope denounces "trickle-down" economics. Bottom line: in the same way that people around the world exposed and opposed apartheid in South Africa until it collapsed, so now people around the world need to expose and oppose "economic apartheid" until it collapses

	Police accused of missing chance to catch major crime bosses

	Church leaders attack asylum policies

	Interactive Bible Quiz - Genesis Based on the actual words of the Bible. How many times can you get 3/3 ?!

Pope Francis Full text	140. This setting, both maternal and ecclesial, in which the dialogue between the Lord and his people takes place, should be encouraged by the closeness of the preacher, the warmth of his tone of voice, the unpretentiousness of his manner of speaking, the joy of his gestures. Even if the homily at times may be somewhat tedious, if this maternal and ecclesial spirit is present, it will always bear fruit, just as the tedious counsels of a mother bear fruit, in due time, in the hearts of her children.

	Seen on tea shirt in HK: Nobody's perfect. I am nobody

	This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	To counter a feeling of sadness that Easter means so little to most people in Hong Kong, I reflected yesterday on Pope Francis' words: look for God's presence in a busy city. So, as I walked along the road to Tai Lam Prison, I thought about God's presence in the ground we walk on, in the trees and plants and flowers by the road, in the birds of the air, in the kindness of people helping each other (especially parents helping tiny children and people helping older people....where there is love, God is there), in the service and patience of bus drivers, in the cloud above (a reminder of the Holy Spirit) etc etc. Our job as humans: to be more aware of God's presence, to grow in appreciation of his love, to discover his love in our world, in our lives, in our hearts ....and respond to that love.

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Monday, please bless the people of Europe and Russia On this 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

	`April 19 HOLY SATURDAY Bishop Bill Wright's 2014 Easter Message: YouTube Text Bible readings (for tonight's Easter Vigil)`
	There are about 3,000 people on Death Row in the US. Most countries no longer have a Death Row, since the death penalty has been abolished. Yesterday as I shared some Good Friday thoughts at a service for prison inmates, it struck me that when "Adam & Eve" chose death instead of life, they consigned themselves and their descendants to Death Row. A staggering thought: I was born on Death Row! Meaning: no access to eternal life, Heaven shut. Then as in A Tale of Two Cities and as in the true story of St Maximillian Kolbe, someone took my place and I was freed from Death Row. Someone died in my place...on Good Friday....and then rose from the dead to destroy the power of death. "And we will live for ever more because of Christmas Day" ...and Good Friday...and Easter Sunday". `What place closed down some time after 3pm Good Friday?`

Click to enlarge	Pope Francis kisses feet of women and Muslim man in Maundy Thursday rite (Guardian) HuffPost report (with video) MailOnLine report	The unjust treatment of Bishop Bill Morris Tribalism lives on, for better and for worse

	Tanzanian man on a cross for nine years now - tied to cross on top of his roof for 4 hours each day during Lent

	Vatican and bishops' conferences urged to consider married priests following signal from Pope Francis

Pope Francis Full text	138. The homily cannot be a form of entertainment like those presented by the media, yet it does need to give life and meaning to the celebration. It is a distinctive genre, since it is preaching situated within the framework of a liturgical celebration; hence it should be brief and avoid taking on the semblance of a speech or a lecture. A preacher may be able to hold the attention of his listeners for a whole hour, but in this case his words become more important than the celebration of faith. If the homily goes on too long, it will affect two characteristic elements of the liturgical celebration: its balance and its rhythm. When preaching takes place within the context of the liturgy, it is part of the offering made to the Father and a mediation of the grace which Christ pours out during the celebration. This context demands that preaching should guide the assembly, and the preacher, to a life-changing communion with Christ in the Eucharist. This means that the words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the centre of attention.

	Holy Saturday tomb joke: There were once some music fanatics who were fascinated with the works of Ludwig von Beethoven. They listened to, and played everything that he had ever written. Finally, after years of saving, they went to Europe to see where this legend had been buried. When they got to the cemetery, they found the tomb where his body had been laid. However, one of the fanatics saw that the door was left slightly ajar. They turned to each other, wondering if they should look in, or shut the door. They decided to look in, just out of curiosity. Upon looking in the tomb, they saw a very strange sight. Beethoven was sitting at a desk, frantically erasing copies of everything he had ever written! "Beethoven, sir!," one of them exclaimed, "What are you doing?!" Beethoven turned calmly to the group, and answered them. "I'm decomposing..."

	This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons


John W mini-Blog	Yesterday at Hei Ling Chau Drug Treatment Centre, I had a prayer service with about a dozen older inmates who are regarded as "impossible to help". Began with washing of feet (after reading out loud together John 13.1-15), then reading together of the Passion (sections of Matthew 26-27), then veneration of the Cross, then Communion. For Communion we stood in a circle and then knelt in a circle, asking Jesus for hope and courage

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Saturday, please bless the people of Central & North America On this 19th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanxi Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

Chris McDonnell (UK blogger)	Letter to The Tablet: Married priests. It’s time	Liturgy - New Translation 1998 ICEL Sacramentary Misguided Missal The new translation Ghastly process/result Ron Schmit: 1962 Mass a condemnation of Vatican II PrayTell ------------------------------------------ Spirituality Sacred Space Daily prayer online. Available in 19 languages Jackie Evancho - To Believe Pray-as-you-go.org Daily prayer with beautiful music Whole text of 1966 Jerusalem Bible Previous Smiles file

	Iranian killer's execution halted at last minute by victim's parents

	Towards Reform for Mission — Pope Francis as Witness and Evangelist Latin Americans Say Pope Francis Brings Hope to the Poor Pope's team of eight to start scrutiny of the Curia

	Natural gas is Putin's weapon

	Jesus 'knows what you are going through,' Cardinal Dolan tells inmates

	Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram?

	Rome and Tokyo close in on agreement over Missal translation

Pope Francis Full text	The liturgical context 137. It is worthy remembering that “the liturgical proclamation of the word of God, especially in the eucharistic assembly, is not so much a time for meditation and catechesis as a dialogue between God and his people, a dialogue in which the great deeds of salvation are proclaimed and the demands of the covenant are continually restated”. The homily has special importance due to its eucharistic context: it surpasses all forms of catechesis as the supreme moment in the dialogue between God and his people which lead up to sacramental communion. The homily takes up once more the dialogue which the Lord has already established with his people The preacher must know the heart of his community, in order to realize where its desire for God is alive and ardent, as well as where that dialogue, once loving, has been thwarted and is now barren

	The cardinal joked that he likes prison Masses because the congregants "are the only people who never come late or leave early and don't care how long I preach!" (See above, Cardinal Dolan story) 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given

	This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons


John W mini-Blog	Good Friday was when a young Eugene de Mazenod was tsunamied by the love of Jesus. May Good Friday always have a powerful effect on our hearts .... and give us courage to live better lives as Christians

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Friday, please bless the people of South America On this 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shandong Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

`April 17 HOLY THURSDAY Bible readings (Scroll down for evening readings)`

`This audio is in VOB format...very large...very slow to open....if anyone can please advise how to make it into a smaller file, I'd be most grateful: jdwomi@gmail.com . A moving recording for Holy Thursday: Not long after speaking of sheep & goats at the Last Judgment, Jesus prayed for ...the goats: Love's Freedom (15 mins ABC) audio of Rev. Austen Williams, 1956-1984 vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields,``(Home of London Ho Ming Wah Chinese People's Day Centre). This recording, broadcast by ABC on April 3, 1980, is one of my favorites. I hope it can be made into a smaller file`		This site's full statistics for March 2014 To publish an article on this site please contact Fr John Wotherspoon omi: jdwomi@gmail.com If you find a broken link in this website, please contact: jdwomi@gmail.com Why I collect rubbish for Pope Taking a stand Navigation Aids Standing up to bullies "Reform of reform" agenda Too Western/European Abortion - a true story "Same-sex marriage": two elephants in the men's room Near Death Experiences Globalisation of Indifference Tale of Two Brains John W's other sites: www.doctorjesus.org www.riccicenter.com www.simplebible.info www.china8.org www.jesustower.com www.oneminuteenglish.com `China Library - essential reading for anyone interested in China's Christian history`

	Tombstone Jesus The cross engraved on tombstones is one of the most enduring symbols of hope associated with death and remembrance. It is a profound symbol that says no matter how tragic, untimely, or horrific death can be – death itself is not the final end of life

	Photos from a reader in Melbourne who took part in last Sunday's march to support refugees

	Pope Francis calls it "the globalisation of indifference". Put more bluntly it can be called "the jungalisation of society" ... our return to "the law of the jungle" whereby the weak are at the mercy of the strong .....the survival of the fittest....the poor being more and more excluded from the riches of the earth ....the gap between rich and poor continuing to grow rather than decline....accompanied by welfare programs that are more illusory than real. This editorial in The Sunday Examiner (HK's English Catholic weekly) applies to more and more parts of the world: The illusion of care

	Increasing disastisfaction with "new translation"

	Hunger is a 'national crisis', religious leaders tell Cameron

Easter	Easter memory loss makes plastic of the present

	Humanity deserves dark skies and starry nights

	Jesuit death row chaplain- 'We allow revenge to ruin many lives'

	Tonight: Pope will wash feet of 9 men and 3 women When Pope washes women's feet, arguments follow. Who's right?

	UK money transfer firms accused of excessive charges on Africa remittances - Two days ago I helped an African inmate transfer money to his family in Africa by Western Union, and the charge was 4.1%. I thought that was a high charge, but linked article says usual charge is higher

Pope Francis Full text	136. Let us renew our confidence in preaching, based on the conviction that it is God who seeks to reach out to others through the preacher, and that he displays his power through human words. Saint Paul speaks forcefully about the need to preach, since the Lord desires to reach other people by means of our word. By his words our Lord won over the hearts of the people; they came to hear him from all parts; they were amazed at his teachings, and they sensed that he spoke to them as one with authority. By their words the apostles, whom Christ established “to be with him and to be sent out to preach”, brought ((all)) nations to the bosom of the Church.

	From article at top of today's menu: Tombstone Jesus Inscription on a rural gravestone in Vermont: “She lived with her husband for fifty years, and died in the confident hope of a better life.”

	Treat drug addicts as victims, not criminals (excellent editorial in The Citizen of Tanzania) This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons


John W mini-Blog	Jesus, have mercy on the hundreds of students who died in yesterday's ferry tragedy in Korea ...and give consolation to their families ...and help people avoid such tragedies in the future

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia & the Pacific On this 17th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

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	`Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡頌恆神父` Email: jdwomi@gmail.com Hong Kong mobile (852) 6709 5674 China mobile 13030213703 - out of action for the time being Mail address: PO Box 74013 Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon , Hong Kong

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