A busy week for the Pope:  Today to Brussels, Friday to Turkey

Jesus ....please give Francis safe travelling ....and may his trip promote peace in our troubled world

Francis poised for Era of Good Feelings with secularism

Proverbs 17: 

Better a dry crust of bread eaten in peace, than a house where feasting and argument go together.

Whoever avoids talking about  offences,  promotes love. Whoever keeps on talking about offences,  divides friends.

A person who controls the tongue  has knowledge. People of discernment control their temper.

Lord, please give me a kind tongue

Psalm 105:

Give thanks to the Lord, make known his deeds among all the peoples.

O sing to him, sing his praise.
Tell all his wonderful works.

Be proud of his holy name. Let hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.

Consider the Lord and his strength. Constantly seek his face.

Never forget how the Lord has helped us in the past, how he has protected Israel from its beginning till now.

Dear God, please help me understand how you have been loving and protecting me since the beginning of my life

Recording

Romans 12:

Pray for people who are unkind to you. Be kind to them. Rejoice with those who are happy. Console people who are sad

Treat everyone with kindness. Never be condescending. Make real friends with the poor

Do all you can to live at peace with everyone. Resist evil and conquer it with good

Jesus, I pray for (..name...) who was unkind to me

Recording





Recommended: check these readings early morning, think about them during the day, check them again at night. This habit gives us extra energy, courage, motivation, peace and compassion for each day

 Mark 14:

The men who arrested Jesus took him to a meeting of the religious leaders. The leaders wanted to condemn Jesus to death, even if they had to use false evidence

Jesus remained silent before their accusations. Then the main leader challenged Jesus: "Are you the Saviour, the Son of God?"

Jesus replied "I am". The leader then called out "We have heard him claim to be of Divine origin. This is blasphemy"

The rest of the leaders shouted "He should die". Then they spat in Jesus' face and hit him with their fists

Jesus, thank you for submitting yourself to insult and spittle
for the salvation of the world

Recording

My Islam File 
-  the videos I have watched
 and learnt from

ISIS is a wake-up call to learn more about Islam. I'm trying to learn more by watching videos like this one: Muhammad's life (with English subtitles ...and narrated in perfect English ...excellent for English students)

My weekly article in today's Ming Pao newspaper
with the topic: Other occupy movements
is on Ming Pao website - click "Australian in HK".
Free access to article with recording today from about noon to 8pm HK time. Text without recording

10 years ago today

The Haircut  (from a reader in Australia):

A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his father as to when they could discuss his use of the car.

His father said he'd make a deal with his son, "You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little and get your hair cut. Then we'll talk about the car."

The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for the offer and they agreed on it.

After about six weeks his father said, "Son, you've brought your grades up and I've observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I'm disappointed you haven't had your hair cut."

The boy said, "You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair, and there's even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair."

The Dad replied: "Did you also notice that they all walked everywhere they went?"

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Tuesday,  please bless the people of South Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Ningxia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Comoros

Jesus, please give peace to the world's trouble spots, especially:
Nigeria (Boko Haram), Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia (Al Shabab), Israel-Palestine, Iraq-Syria (Isis), Ukraine

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)

      Usually in January I'm in Australia for an annual holiday, health check-ups, meetings etc. But next year will be different: not Australia, but Tanzania DV.  For some time I've felt something in my heart telling me to spend a bit of time in a poor country, not as a burden, but to experience the real situation, maybe to offer a little help with English classes etc. And in Tanzania I hope to meet families of some of the many Tanzanian inmates in HK prisons. Maybe even learn a little Swahili.  And I also hope to pay a brief visit across the border from Tanzania to Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world (from which there are also inmates in HK prisons). Hope to send daily reports from Tanzania using my trusty laptop. Have checked with reliable sources, Ebola not a danger in East Africa. Due to fly from HK to Doha on Dec 30, then to Tanzania.  Due to leave Tanzania on January 28, due back HK January 29.

Proverbs 16: 

A person  proposes, God disposes.
Ask the Lord to bless all your plans.

Kindness and loyalty make up for sin. Love of the Lord brings avoidance of evil.

If the Lord is pleased with your way of life, he will cause your enemies to become your friends.

Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.

A troublemaker sows strife.
A talebearer separates friends.

Better to be a peaceful person than a hero. Better to be master of yourself than the conqueror of a city.

Lord, please give me a humble, peaceful spirit

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 104:

Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.

You make the clouds your chariot.
You walk on the wings of the wind.

You make springs gush forth in the valleys. They give drink to all the animals of the field.

You make grass grow for the cattle
and plants to provide food for people.

You give us  wine, to cheer our hearts, and oil to make our faces shine.

You made the moon to mark the months. The sun knows the time for its setting.

How many are your works, O Lord. In wisdom you have made them all.

The earth is full of your riches
and the sea is swarming with life.

All things, great and small, look to you for food. You open your hand, they have their fill.

You send forth your spirit, and life is created. You renew the face of the earth.

I will sing to the Lord all my life.
May my thoughts be pleasing to him.

Bless the Lord, my soul!

Recording

Romans 12:

Do not let your love be superficial, but sincerely prefer good to evil.
Have a family love for each other, and a profound respect for each other

Persevere in your love for the Lord and your service of the Lord.
Hope will make you cheerful

Do not give up when trials come. Keep on praying. Help people who are in need. Make hospitality your special care

Jesus, please help me grow in love. Help me love you and other people a bit better

Recording

Today's Gospel

Mark 14:

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. Judas had with him a large crowd of men with swords and clubs, sent by the religious leaders

Judas had told these men "The one I kiss is the man. Take him". So Judas went  to Jesus and said  "Teacher" and kissed him. The men  then seized Jesus

Jesus said to them "Am I a robber that you needed to capture me
with swords and clubs?  Day after day I was openly teaching in the Temple"

All the apostles then deserted him and ran away

Jesus, when I am being treated unfairly by other people,
please give me strength

Recording

^{I promote the idea of lay evangelists because the Church needs a new thrust in sowing the Word}

10 years ago today

You don't know your way... The Rev. Billy Graham tells of at time early in his career when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy told him, Rev. Graham thanked him and said, "If you'll come to the Baptist church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to Heaven." "I don't think I'll be there," the boy said. "You don't even know your way to the post office."

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Monday,  please bless the people of Europe & Russia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Inner Mongolia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Zambia

Jesus, please give peace to the world's trouble spots, especially:
Nigeria (Boko Haram), Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia (Al Shabab), Israel-Palestine, Iraq-Syria (Isis), Ukraine

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)

From a reader in Canada: "Please watch this video about Brussels soon to be a Muslim city with Sharia Law":
Showdown looms in Brussels
- report from US CBN News:
- Muslims largest religious group
- now 25% of population
- will be majority by 2030

Readings for Feast of Christ the King

Ezekiel 34: 

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path. He is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil. My cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

Recording

Matthew 25: 31-40

Jesus said to his disciples: When I come in glory at the end of the world, all peoples of all times will be gathered in front of me.

I will separate them, like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. I will place the sheep on my right, the goats on my left.

I will say to those on my right "Come and enter my kingdom. For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you made me welcome. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to see me".

Then those good people on my right will say "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
naked and clothe you, sick or in prison, and visit you?"

I will answer "Each time you helped and cared for a poor person, you helped and cared for me".

Recording

Matthew 25: 41-46

Then I will say to those on my left "Go away from me and join Satan and his angels in hell.

For I was hungry, and you never gave me food. I was thirsty, and you never gave me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you never made me welcome, naked, and you never clothed me, sick and in prison, and you never visited me".

Those on my left will then ask
"Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?"

I will answer "Each time you refused to help and care for a poor person, you refused to help and care for me".

Those on the left will then go to eternal punishment. Those on the right will go to eternal life.

Jesus, please help me do more for poor people. Make me understand that when I help a poor person, I help you

    Recording

Indonesia's president causes a buzz by flying economy class
Indonesian president Joko Widodo causes a stir by flying economy class to watch his son graduate in Singapore. While some thought it was a publicity stunt, others urged more officials to follow suit.

Reflections on my ‘60 Minutes’ interview - by Cardinal O'Malley

Cardinal O'Malley: If I started a church, I'd love to have women priests

10 years ago
 today

"That's mighty nice of you," Willis answered, "But I don't think Pa would like me to."

"Aw come on boy," the farmer insisted.

"Well okay," the boy finally agreed, and added, "But Pa won't like it."

After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. "I feel a lot better now, but I know Pa is going to be real upset."

"Don't be foolish!" the neighbor said with a smile. "By the way, where is he?"

"Under the wagon."

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Sunday,  please bless the people of Africa

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Djibouti

Jesus, please give peace to the world's trouble spots, especially:
Nigeria (Boko Haram), Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia (Al Shabab), Israel-Palestine, Iraq-Syria (Isis), Ukraine

    Letter in English from a Nigerian inmate in a HK prison
    - no African food for 10 years while in HK prison!

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)

So much news, even Church news, is not all that nourishing or encouraging.
But the advice from Proverbs today (The Book Blog, below) is totally nourishing,
totally encouraging, totally practical, totally useful. A good practice: read this advice
in the morning, think about it during the day, and read it again at night

Proverbs 15: 

A mild answer diffuses a tense situation. A sharp answer stirs up anger.

A kind tongue is a source of life.
A harsh tongue hurts other people's feelings.

A happy heart produces a cheerful face. A sad heart means a drooping spirit.

Hot-headed people provoke disputes. Peaceful people prevent disputes.

Without deliberation, plans come to nothing. Successful plans need many counselors.

A kindly glance gives joy to the heart. Good news gives strength to the bones.

Dear Lord, please give me a kind tongue

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 103:

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.
All my being, bless his holy name.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord
and never forget all his blessings.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,
who heals every one of your ills.

It is he who fills your life with good things, renewing your youth like an eagle's life.

The Lord is compassion and love,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.

As the heavens are high above the earth, so strong is his love for those who love him.

As far as the East is from the West,
so far does he remove our sins.

As a father has compassion on his children, the Lord has pity on all who love and honor him.

Give thanks to the Lord, all his angels, who heed the voice of his word.

Give thanks to the Lord, everyone and everything. My soul, give thanks to the Lord!

Thank you, Lord, for your love and compassion

Recording

Romans 12:

I beg you, trust in God's mercy, and worship him in a spiritual way, not just in an external way

Offer your whole life to him as a holy sacrifice

Do not blindly follow the fashions of the world. Instead, let your behavior change, fashioned by your enlightened mind

This is the way to discover the will of God, the way to know what God wants us to do

Jesus, help me give more time to things that are important, less time to things not so important

Recording

Today's Gospel

Click here for large size
 of this famous painting 
by Andrea Mantegna

Mark 14:

After the meal, Jesus said to his apostles "Tonight all of you will desert me"

Peter said "I will never desert you". Jesus replied "Tonight before the rooster crows,
you will deny me three times"

They came to a place with olive trees called Gethsemane. Jesus asked Peter, James and John to pray with him

Jesus was overcome with sadness and fear. He said to them "Sadness is filling my heart, as if my heart is dying. Please support me as I pray"

Then he fell on his face and prayed for about an hour:
"Father, don't let this suffering continue. But your will be done"

He stood up and found that the apostles were asleep. He said to them "Couldn't you stay awake one hour to support me?"

Three times he prayed the same way. Three times the apostles went to sleep.

Then he said "Get ready. The one who is betraying me is coming"

Jesus, please help me give more time to prayer

Recording

Click to enlarge

10 years ago
 on this day

A popular preacher was admonishing a class of divinity students on the importance of making their facial expressions harmonize with their speech in delivering sermons. "When you speak of heaven," he said, "let your face light up and be irradiated with a heavenly gleam. Let your eyes shine with reflected glory. And when you speak of hell...well, then your everyday face will do."

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Saturday,  please bless the people of Central & North America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 22nd of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 22nd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Rwanda

Jesus, please give peace to the world's trouble spots, especially:
Nigeria (Boko Haram), Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia (Al Shabab), Israel-Palestine, Iraq-Syria (Isis), Ukraine

Letter in Swahili from a Tanzanian inmate in a HK prison: re the way drug lords trick people into being drug mules

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)

Prayers please for two friends with frightening diseases for which there is no medical cure:

- a priest in Japan with Lou Gehrig's disease

- an inmate in HK with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease ("Mad cow disease")

Jesus, Doctor Jesus, please give peace to any family tree or personal background that might be linked to these diseases      

A peaceful heart is necessary for good health. Envy is like a cancer in the bones (from today's "The Book Blog", below)

c.f. Chinese saying:
all sickness starts in the heart

Proverbs 13-14:

Guard your talk and you will protect your life. People who talk too much, easily get into trouble.

Choose wise people as your friends and you will be happy.
Choose foolish people as friends and your problems will multiply.

The heart knows its own grief best. No human person can fully understand another person's heart.

A peaceful heart is necessary for good health. Envy is like a cancer in the bones.

Injustice to the poor is an insult to our Creator. Kindness to the poor gives honor to our Creator.

Virtue makes a nation great.
Sin causes empires to fall.

Dear God, please help everyone in our country to be wise and kind and just.

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 102:

O Lord, listen to my prayer in my distress. Do not hide your face from me.

For my days are vanishing like smoke, my bones burn away like a fire.

I forget to eat my bread. My skin clings to my bones.

All day long my foes revile me.
Those who hate me use my name as a curse.

But you, O Lord, will endure for ever. You will arise and have mercy on Zion.

You will hear the groans of the prisoners, and free those condemned to die.

I pray to you: "Do not take me away before my time has come, you whose days last from age to age.

Lord, please help people who are in great distress 

Recording

Romans 10-11:

If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved

How wonderful is God!  How great his wisdom and knowledge.
What finite creature could ever understand the mind of our infinite Creator?

All that exists comes from him. To him be glory for ever!

Jesus, Father, Spirit - three persons, one God - to you be glory for ever!

Recording

Mark 14: 

On Passover Eve, Jesus ate a last meal with his apostles. While they were eating, Jesus told them he knew he would be betrayed by one of them. He told Judas he knew he was the betrayer.

Then Jesus took some bread, blessed it and gave it to his apostles saying " This is my body"

Then he took a cup of wine, blessed it and gave it to them saying "This is my blood"

Jesus, please help me understand how bread and wine become your body and blood when Christians celebrate the Eucharist

Recording

Click to enlarge this image
(from The Philippines)

And this one from the U.S.A.

Ohio's Ricky Jackson exonerated after 39 years in prison

England can break new ground (... married priests ...)
It is estimated that one in 10 priests in diocesan ministry in the Catholic Church in England and Wales began his priestly vocation in the Church of England

10 years ago today

One hot sultry day, I was boarding a plane and was struggling to put my carryon bag into the overhead bin. The people behind me weren’t happy with me holding up the line as the air- conditioning wasn’t on. Finally, the man next to me, put his bag down, took mine in hand and effortlessly shoved it in the compartment, leaving me somewhat embarrassed. Then, to my surprise he said at the top of his voice for all to hear, “Well Father, will that get me to heaven?” I was so flustered, all I could think to say was, “Gee, I hope not on this flight!”
(from first homily of Archbishop Cupich, above)

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Friday,  please bless the people of South America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 21st of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Benin

Jesus, please give peace to the world's trouble spots, especially:
Nigeria (Boko Haram), Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia (Al Shabab), Israel-Palestine, Iraq-Syria (Isis), Ukraine

New letter (in English) from a Tanzanian inmate in a HK prison re why no government probe against known drug lords?
(tomorrow: a new letter in Swahili)

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)

HK media baron Jimmy Lai
says protesters should retreat, re-energise and return

Growth: the destructive god that can never be appeased (G. Monbiot)

The blind pursuit of economic expansion stokes a cycle of financial crisis, and is wrecking our world. Time for an alternative.

Total world debt (public and private) is 212% of GDP. In 2008, when it helped cause the last crash, it stood at 174%     

"I'll stay with my people despite Ebola"

Filipino priest working in Ebola-struck Sierra Leone, on Facebook ... encouraged to stay by his mother

This is a genuine missionary, who has gone to a country poorer than his own, and is not running away when his people are in danger

Pope Francis celebrates a homeless man's 50th
The gesture was seen to have Pope Francis’ finger prints all over it

Francis raffles off official gifts for charity

Proverbs 11-12: 

Pride comes before a fall. Humility brings wisdom.

A city prospers when good people are many. A city falls when good people are few.

Good people are kind to animals.
Bad people are cruel to animals.

Good people overlook insults.
Good people's speech promotes harmony in society.

Worry makes our hearts heavy.
Kindly words from others make us glad.

Lord, please help me to be kind and wise

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 101:

My song is of mercy and justice.
I sing to you, O Lord.

I will try to walk with blameless heart. I will try to give my attention to what is good, not what is bad.

People who slander others, people of proud looks, these will not be my friends.

People who are good and do good,
these will be my friends.

Dear Lord, please help me to avoid bad company

Recording

Romans 10:

I have a really great love for the Jews. I pray to God for them to be saved

They have a strong belief in God, but their zeal is misguided

They can't see that friendship with God is a gift from God, not just a matter of external practices

Jesus, some people have mixed up ideas about religion (.. Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses). Please help them know the truth as you revealed it

Recording

Mark 14:

Two days before the Passover festival, the religious leaders kept looking for a way to arrest Jesus and have him put to death

During these days Jesus had a meal at the home of Simon the leper. At the meal, a woman put expensive burial oil on Jesus' head. The woman understood  that Jesus was soon to die

One of Jesus' 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot, went to the religious leaders and offered to help them arrest Jesus at a convenient time

The leaders promised to give Judas money. Judas looked for an opportunity to arrange the arrest

Jesus, please forgive me for the times when I have not been faithful  to you and your teaching

Recording

Media Release from Catholic Church Reform International
- calling for more openness at Synod    (CCRI website)

   Dysfunctional justice system highlighted

Jokowi Takes On the Oil Mafia
Fuel subsidy cut, warnings to top figures the party’s over 

Asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Indonesia blocked from resettlement in Australia

10 years ago today

A southern minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great expression he said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river." With even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river." And then finally, he said, "And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river." Sermon complete, he then sat down. The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, "For our closing song, let us sing Hymn #365: 'Shall We Gather at the River'."

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Thursday,  please bless the people of S.E. Asia & Pacific

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Gambia

Jesus, please give peace to the world's trouble spots, especially:
Nigeria (Boko Haram), Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia (Al Shabab), Israel-Palestine, Iraq-Syria (Isis), Ukraine

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)

 
 Source      

Video of address to Australian parliament by Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister

Young Indians want energy that "does not cause our glaciers to melt," cities that are "smart, sustainable and liveable" and villages that "offer opportunity"

Proverbs 10: 

A wise child is a father's joy.
A foolish child is a mother's sorrow.

Laziness leads to poverty.
Diligence leads to success.

Hatred provokes disputes.
Love covers over all offences.

A flood of words is never without fault. Prudent people control their lips.

Lord, may my words be wise and loving

Psalm 100:

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.

Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Go within his gates, giving thanks.
Enter his temple with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

Indeed, how good is the Lord,
eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.

Dear Lord, please help us to serve you with gladness

Recording

A stirring rendition of this psalm is The Old 100th  - as in this famous video of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth

Romans 9:

There is a great sorrow in my heart. It's with me day and night.
It's the situation of the Jewish people, how they will not accept the Anointed One

I am willing to do anything to help them accept Jesus. I am willing to undergo the greatest suffering if that would help them believe

They are my nation, my family. They have been so blessed by God. From their flesh and blood came Christ, who is God

Jesus, God-made-flesh, I pray with Paul that the Jewish people will believe in you

Recording

              Today's Gospel

Mark 13:

Jesus spoke to his disciples about the future:

"On account of my name you will be hated, tortured and killed. But the Good News of the kingdom will spread to every nation before the end of the world

At the end of the world, the sun and moon will stop shining. Stars will fall from the sky

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all peoples will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and glory

He will send his angels with a loud trumpet to gather good people from all parts of the earth

Therefore you  should live a good life and you will have nothing to fear on your last day"

Jesus, please help me live and grow and die in your love ... and not be afraid of death

Recording

We cannot begin to understand the enormity of the God in whom we believe. We can only appreciate those moments of blinding transformation when he illuminates our lives and shows, for however brief a time, where we presently are and where we might be heading. Such moments are graced indeed on our own journey through the cosmos

From a reader in Australia:    Our parish priest told us this joke:

One Sunday, the parish was to announce its annual fundraising drive. As the priest was about to start Mass, he told the organist that when he makes the pledge for donations, the organist is to play some tunes to lift the congregation into donating money.
After Communion, the priest announces the fundraising drive and asks: "whoever is willing to contribute $100, stand up!"
Nobody stood up.
The organist, having remembered the priest's instructions, started playing the national anthem - and the whole church stood up!

(As a little aside, our parish DID have a pledge for donations and after the priest told this joke, the organist DID play the national anthem)

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Wednesday,  please bless the people of East Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 19th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 19th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sudan

Jesus, please give peace to the world's trouble spots, especially:
Nigeria (Boko Haram), Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia (Al Shabab), Israel-Palestine, Iraq-Syria (Isis), Ukraine

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)

Pope Francis:
Thank you Holy Spirit

Inspiring photos:

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Imposter Priests
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HK Democracy File - essential reading

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IS (ISIS) File - Essential Reading

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1998 ICEL Sacramentary

Misguided Missal 

The new translation
Ghastly process/result

Ron Schmit:
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 Sacred Space  Daily prayer online.
Available in 19 languages

Jackie Evancho  - To Believe

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Daily prayer with beautiful music

Whole text of 1966 Jerusalem Bible

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China Library
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