A constitutional law expert at the University of Hong Kong has raised concern that Beijing has reportedly declared the Sino-British Joint Declaration void:

Expert worried about Beijing's joint treaty stance     

Ecclesiastes 6-7: 

Even if a person studies wisdom, what use is it? Wise person and fool both must die.

Yet wisdom gives protection and strength. And wisdom reminds us that all of us make mistakes.
Therefore we should be slow to condemn others.

Lord, may the memory of my own mistakes make me slow to judge other people

Psalm 117:

O Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Acclaim him, all you peoples!

Strong is his love for us.
He is faithful for ever.

May all the nations love and praise you, Lord

Recording

1 Corinthians 10-11:

The cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ. The bread that we break is a communion with the body of Christ

Avoid anything to do with idol worship.  It doesn't make sense to share in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons

Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all,
do it for the glory of God

Never do anything offensive to anyone. Try to be helpful to everyone at all times, not anxious for your own advantage, but for the advantage of others, so that they may be saved.

Take me for your model, as I take Christ

Jesus, please help me imitate you 

Recording

 Luke 1:

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who were really good people,
but they were childless

Once when they went to the Temple in Jerusalem, Zechariah entered the inner sanctuary to burn incense, while all the people prayed outside

An angel appeared and said "Zechariah, your prayer has been heard. Your wife will have a son and you must name him John.
He will prepare the way of the Lord"

Not long after this, Elizabeth conceived, and for 5 months she kept to herself, thanking God for taking away her humiliation at not being able to have a baby

Jesus, please help childless couples to have a baby

Recording

Fifty-five people killed themselves in prisons in England and Wales the year before last. Ninety people killed themselves in prison last year

3,000 South Africans are estimated to be serving time in foreign jails – almost all of them for drug-related crimes

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)

From an unhappy reader in Australia

 God bless all kind readers!

My weekly article in today's Ming Pao newspaper
with the topic: Nov 10: International Human Rights Day
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 

A group of Swahili-speaking inmates in HK prisons, from Tanzania and Kenya, have been translating Dr Jesus.  DV the Swahili edition will be ready before I head to Tanzania on Dec 30.  An editing group at Lai Chi Kok Detention Centre have been outstanding for working so hard over the past week, so yesterday I said to them that as a thank you I'd like to make a small donation to their families (through Western Union). Quick as a flash one of the group said "would you also like the whole Simple Bible translated?"

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 9th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Henan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 9th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of the Central African Republic

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 HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Apologies for slow replies to emails lately ... many things happening in this special time before Christmas

Cardinal Zen hands himself in to police to hasten end of protests

The Immaculate Conception
of Mary by her mother Anne

The immaculate conception of Mary refers to her mother's conception of her, not her conception of Jesus (the virgin birth of Jesus) 

Today's feast reminds us that it is possible to defeat evil - e.g. the evil of drugs.  Drug taking can be stopped.
Many people have come off drugs by prayer and community support

 c.f. readings for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Genesis 3: 

A creature hostile to God took the form of a snake and tempted the first man and first woman.

The snake tempted them to disobey God.

When God asked them why they disobeyed him, the man blamed the woman, and the woman blamed the snake.

God said to the snake: "You are the enemy of the human race.
Someday a member of the human race will defeat you."

God said to the man and woman:
"From dust you came  and to dust you will return."

The first man's name was Adam (meaning "man"). The first woman's name was Eve (meaning "life").

Dear God, please help me understand how evil in the world
started when Adam and Eve disobeyed you

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 98:

Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand has brought salvation.

The Lord has made known his salvation. He has shown his justice to the nations.

He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy.

Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music.

Let the sea, the world and all peoples acclaim the King, the Lord.

Let the rivers clap their hands
and the hills ring out their joy

at the presence of the Lord, for he comes to rule the earth.

He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with fairness.

Lord, may all peoples in all countries know your love and goodness

Ephesians 1:

God our Father, before Mary was born, you chose her to be Jesus' mother. Before I was born, you  chose me to be a brother/sister of Jesus

Recording

Luke 1:

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel
Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary who was betrothed to a man named Joseph

The angel said to her "Mary, Rejoice! You have been greatly blessed by God.  You are to conceive and have a son whom you must name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God"

Mary said to the angel, "How can this happen since I am a virgin?"

The angel replied "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will specially bless you. Know this too: your cousin Elizabeth has, in her old age, conceived a son, and is now in her sixth  month"

"I am the handmaid of the Lord", said Mary, "let what you have said, be done for me".  And the angel left her

God the Son, thank you for becoming a baby in Mary's womb

Recording

^{Mary, like Christ, is our enduring mother/sister companion on our journeys on earth. She shows us how to be faithful disciples of Christ, through her humble attitude and belief, that she is the handmaid of the Lord}

10 years ago today

A minister was preparing a sermon on sex. His wife said, "Dear, I'm not sure you should discuss that subject. Speak about something else. Sex is so private." "You're probably right, dear. I think I'll talk about sailing." That night the minister's wife became ill. She was still in bed that Sunday morning. Her absence freed him to discuss sex. After church was out, two of the women of the congregation visited the wife. They talked about the minister's sermon. He had spoken with such gusto and vigor. The minister's wife said, "How could he sound so smart? He only did it twice...once in the harbor and once just past the breakwater. And both times he threw up!"

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 8th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Heilongjiang

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 8th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sierra Leone

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

Arrest after HK airport cocaine seizure

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 HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

How a school principal's wisdom and determination saved a whole town from Philippine typhoon

For the time being I won't be checking The ABC and The Age in Australia for stories to post on this site. If you know of an important story on their site, please let me know. 
ABC's top story yesterday: how a woman had a relationship with a 14 year old boy. Age in same race to the bottom of tabloid sensationalism

c.f. Readings for "Advent 2"

Isaiah 36-40: 

"Console my people, console them" says the Lord.

A voice cries out "Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord.
Make a straight highway for our God across every desert.

Let every valley be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low.

Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all people will see the Lord's glory."

Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion.

Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem.

Shout to the towns of Judah "Here is your God".

Lord, please help me prepare your way into my heart, into  my family, into my world

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 85:

I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace.

Peace for his people and his friends and those who turn to him in their hearts.

His help is near for those who love him, and his glory will dwell in our land.

Mercy and faithfulness have met.
Justice and peace have embraced.

Faithfulness shall spring from the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.

The Lord will make us prosper, 
and our earth shall yield its fruit.

Justice shall march before him, 
and peace shall follow his steps

Lord, please give more peace to our world

Recording

Video from the movie Godspell:
Prepare ye the way of the Lord

2 Peter 3:

Since everything is coming to an end, you should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat.

What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home.

So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace.

Jesus, please help me to live a good life

Recording

Mark 1:

This is the story of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Long ago God said through  the prophet Isaiah "I am going to send my messenger before you. He will prepare your way. A voice cries out in the wilderness: prepare a way for the Lord".

And so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness,
proclaiming a baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

As the people were baptized by John in the river Jordan, they confessed their sins.

John wore a garment of camel skin. Locusts and wild honey were his food.

He said to the people "Someone is coming who is more important than I am. I am not worthy to kneel down and undo his sandal straps.

I baptize you with water. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit".

Jesus, please help us prepare a way for you like John the Baptist

Recording

Video of work for the homeless by St Patrick's O.M.I. care centre in Fremantle, Western Australia

The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to, after the worship service, ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances." During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up." At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star-Spangled Banner." And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!

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 7th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hebei

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 7th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Burkina Faso

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 Zealand man facing death penalty over drug smuggling charges in Bali - after he flew into Bali from Hong Kong with a suspicious package

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 HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Dublin archbishop offers shelter to street  sleepers
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said that he was in a position to make a “substantial” diocesan property available for emergency accommodation for people who are homeless

Today is the Feast of Saint Nicholas, from whose name we get the name "Santa Claus". He was a bishop who cared about poor people


Video: The St. Nicholas Tradition

Ecclesiastes 4-5: 

So many things we do are motivated by jealousy.

Two people working together can succeed. One person alone is easily defeated.

It is better to be content with what you have, than to be greedy for wealth.

Lord, please help me not to be greedy

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 116:

I love the Lord for he has heard the cry of my appeal. He turned his ear to me in the day when I called him.

They surrounded me, sorrow, distress and the snares of death.
I was helpless, so the Lord saved me.

Calm down my soul, for the Lord has been good. I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise to thank the Lord.

O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Lord, you have loosened my bonds. I am your servant.

Thank you, Lord, for all your goodness to me

Recording

1 Corinthians 1-2:

The language of the Cross doesn't make sense for some people. But for us it is God's power to save

While the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks require philosophy, here we are preaching a crucified Christ: to the Jews an obstacle they cannot get over, to the pagans madness

During my stay with you, I relied not on philosophy or my own efforts, but only on the power of the Spirit

The wisdom we teach is about things no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, things beyond human understanding - all that God has prepared for those who love him

Jesus, crucified Lord, please increase my faith in you

Recording

Luke 1:

Dear Friend of God, there are  already many  reports written about Jesus.

These reports come from  people who were the earliest eyewitnesses and ministers of the Good News.

After checking the whole story, I also have decided to write a report, so that you may see for yourself the truth and accuracy of the Good News

Jesus, please help me understand your Good News

Recording

 Trampling on refugee law
 After winning a sickening game of legislative chess with the Senate crossbench, the executive now has the power to "play God" with the lives of those seeking safety on our shores

Almost no silver lining in new TPV cloud

10 years ago
 on this day

2004-12-06 Thank you Zhaoqing CAS Senior Three students Crystal & Maria for helping with English classes at Xinqiao and Ng Chuen Primary Schools

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 6th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Haiann

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 6th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liberia

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 HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

International Volunteer Day for 
Economic and Social Development

World Soil Day

Dec 31 to Jan 28 I'm due to be in Tanzania and Malawi. This Oxfam Malawi report is very encouraging ... and challenging       

Be careful of people whose teaching is suspect. Avoid them

- Saint Paul (today's Book Blog, below)

Thai edition of Doctor Jesus received from printer yesterday  

and today is the national day of Thailand!

Ecclesiastes 3:

There's a time and a season for everything:

A time for giving birth,
a time for dying.

A time for tears and mourning,
a time for laughter and dancing.

A time for embracing,
a time to refrain from embracing.

A time for keeping silent,
a time for speaking.

Dear Lord, please help me to do the right thing at the right time

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalms 114-115:

When Israel came out of Egypt,
Jacob's descendents from an alien people, Judah became the Lord's temple, Israel became his kingdom.

Descendents of Israel, trust in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.

To you may the Lord grant increase, to you and all your children.

May you be blessed by the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.

Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings

Recording
------------------------------------
 Video: Turn, Turn, Turn 
(today's first reading)

Lyrics: Turn, Turn, Turn

Wikipedia: Turn, Turn, Turn

Romans 16:

Please welcome our friend Phoebe, a deaconess in the church at Cenchrea. She has helped many people, including myself

Greetings to all my friends in Rome, especially Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked death to save my life

Be careful of people whose teaching is suspect. Avoid them

Glory to him who is able to give you strength to live according to the Good News

Jesus, help me live according to your Good News. Thank you for the beautiful letter to the Romans

Recording

John 1: 

From all eternity the Word existed.
The Word was with God the Father. The Word was God the Son

The Word was the source of life for all creatures

The Word became a man, and lived among us. We saw his glory, full of grace and truth

Many people did not recognize and did not accept the Word.
But to everyone who did accept him, he gave power to become children of God

Jesus, please help me understand how you are the Word-made-flesh

Recording

Commitment-shy young people need mini tasters of consecrated life

World War One

General Walter Congreve VC describes to his wife how soldiers shared cigars and sang songs together in no man’s land

10 years ago today

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 5th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guizhou

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 5th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Chad

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 HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

China has broken Hong Kong agreement, say British MPs

Corruption pervades fast-growing economies of China, Turkey and Angola     

For the first time in history, the leaders of the world's major religions gathered together in the Vatican this morning with the aim of eliminating modern slavery

Mona Lisa may have been da Vinci's Chinese mother: Italian historian's comments spark online frenzy

Ecclesiastes 1-2:

Everything is temporary and  passing. What's the use of all our toil?

Our life is over in a few days.
What's the use of all our toil?

The same fate awaits both wise person and fool. Death is always just around the corner.

 Dear God, please help me understand the meaning of life.
 Help me understand that there is life in heaven after life on earth

Recording of this reading
for English students

Psalm 113:

Praise, O friends of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord.

May the name of the Lord be blessed both now and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun to its setting praised be the name of the Lord.

Who is like the Lord our God,
above the heavens his glory.

From the dust he lifts up the lowly, to put them in the company of royalty.

To the childless wife he gives a home, and gladdens her heart with children.

May the Lord be praised from sunrise to sunset

Recording

Romans 15:

The reason I have written to you is to encourage you in your faith.  This is my job from God

He has appointed me as a priest of Jesus Christ. I must do all I can to spread the Good News

I hope to see you on my way to Spain

Please pray for me that I may be protected from people who want to eliminate me

Jesus, help me do all I can to spread your Good News

Recording

Mark 16:

Jesus died on Friday afternoon.
Early on Sunday morning, Mary of Magdala and two other women went to Jesus' tomb to anoint his body with spices

They had been wondering how they would roll away the large stone, but when they arrived, the stone had already been rolled away

When they went into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe and they were full of awe. But he said to them  "Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Go and tell his disciples he  will see them in Galilee"

Jesus, when life seems hopeless, like a dead body in a tomb, please
help us remember how you rose from the dead....and you can help us "rise" from any "hopeless" situation

Recording

Once or twice a year I visit Stanley Prison. To prepare for my January trip to Tanzania, I went to Stanley yesterday and visited many dozens of Tanzanian inmates. At one stage I used a lift, but it didn't move, even after repeated pressing of buttons. So I rang the alarm bell (prison not the best place for such an action!) and a guard opened the lift.  Like most lifts in HK, this lift had two sets of buttons, one set on each side of the door. Turned out the set I had been pressing was for the exclusive use of firemen  ...as indicated by a sign above the set that this old fellow had not seen ....and in fact has never before seen in HK. Moral of the story: read the signs of the times!

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 4th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangdong

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 4th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mozambique

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 HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Occupy founders ask students to retreat
" A government that uses police batons to maintain its authority is a government that is beyond reason. For the sake of our original intention of love and peace, we ask the students to retreat," 

Videos of violence at this Apple Daily site (scroll down)

   462 years ago today, on a remote island off the coast of China, Saint Francis Xavier died. He could see China some 14km across the sea, but could not enter it. In the months before he died, he offered up his suffering that someone else might follow him and enter China. On October 6, 1552, Matteo Ricci was born in Italy. Xavier's prayer was answered two months before he died

Xavier died on the island today known as Shangchuan. 
I've been privileged to visit there a number of times:
1993 with Fr Don Hughes O.M.I.     2005-01-29 with Zhaoqing group 

But only after just now checking the above Wikipedia Shangchuan linked article did I know that the name "Shangchuan" comes from the Portuguese "Saint John"!

For the past two days I've spent a lot of time with some Tanzanian remand inmates at a HK detention centre. They are helping translate "Dr Jesus" into Swahili. I'm hoping Swahili edition will be printed before I go to Tanzania in January DV.  

My long stay in the inmates' day room increased my understanding of their daily situation: 12 hours in dayroom (apart from 1 hour for exercise and shower) + 12 hours in cell ...for long months and even years as they await sentence. No work in dayroom ...just sitting around reading, talking, TV, meals

c.f. Feast of St Francis Xavier readings

Isaiah 51-52: 

Pay attention to me, you peoples.
Listen to me, you nations.

The islands put their hope in the Lord. They put their trust in his strength.

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace and salvation, and tells Zion "Your God is king!"

Break into shouts of joy, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord is redeeming his people.

All the ends of the earth
shall see the salvation of our God.

Lord, may more and more people in more and more countries know you and love you

Psalm 117:

O Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Acclaim him, all you peoples!

Strong is his love for us. He is faithful for ever.

May all the nations love and praise you, Lord

Recording

1 Corinthians 9:

I put up with anything, rather than obstruct the Good News of Christ in any way

I make myself all things to all people, in order to save some

All the runners at the stadium are trying to win, but only one of them gets the prize. You must run in the same way, meaning to win the gold medal of eternal life

That is how I run, intent on winning. Therefore I try to stay in top condition, avoiding sloppy living

Jesus, may I run a good race till my last day

Recording

Mark 16:

After he rose from the dead, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had cast out 7 devils. Next  he appeared to two of his disciples while they were on a journey

Then he appeared to the 11 apostles. He said to them "Go everywhere in the world. Proclaim the Good News to all creation.
Anyone who believes and is baptized, will be saved. Anyone who refuses to believe, will be condemned

These are the signs that will be associated with believers:  in my name they will cast out devils,  they will have the gift of tongues,
they will pick up snakes in their hands, they will be unharmed if they drink poison, they will lay their hands on the sick who will be healed"

And so, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up to heaven, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming their message by the miracles that accompanied the message

Lord Jesus, may more and more people all over the world
believe in you

Recording

Last week I picked a small book off my shelf by Thich Nhat Hanh entitled “The long road turns to joy - a guide to walking meditation” and I have begun re-reading it. A short book, but a book full of meaningful reflections on each page. Not about the past, nor the future but the now of being, this moment, this place. It is a book that requires space and time for considered reflection

Ban on British MPs could extend to anyone deemed undesirable – like journalists or businessmen

A nearsighted minister glanced at the note that Mrs. Jones had sent to him by an usher. The note read: Bill Jones having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety. Failing to observe the punctuation, the minister startled his audience by announcing: Bill Jones, having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety.

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 3rd of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Gansu

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 3rd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Burundi

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 HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Pope Francis:
Thank you Holy Spirit

Inspiring photos:

Link
Link		Links 01  02	Link
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Link	Link		Link
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Newness, harmony, mission

Engagements of Pope Francis

Zenit.org - reports from Rome

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

Previous Bible Blogs of this website

Previous Smiles file

John W: Previous Daily Blogs

The unjust treatment
 of Bishop Bill Morris

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

Why are women not being
 ordained to priesthood?   (updated)

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

Imposter Priests
- refusing to pass on the teaching of Francis' The Joy of the Gospel

Political leaders who live(d) a simple life style and care(d) for the poor

HK Democracy File - essential reading

HK Asylum Seekers File

IS (ISIS) File - Essential Reading

Gaza File - essential reading

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1998 ICEL Sacramentary

Misguided Missal 

The new translation
Ghastly process/result

Ron Schmit:
 1962 Mass a condemnation of Vat II

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 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

The Last Supper -  Bohdan Piasecki 
(click to enlarge)

Bob Welsh - My Christmas Eve

 A Tale of Two Brains

The Story of Jonah 
as Told by The Cutest Little Girl
(gets even better as it goes along)

YouTube from KLM!

North Africa refugee boat - Link

Abortion Survivor’s Letter
 to the Abortionist

Tribalism lives on, 
for better and for worse

Video: Sydney Peace Prize Lecture by Julian Burnside  

16 Documents of Vatican II

This website's 
Reflections on the 16 documents
 of Vatican II

Be careful of junk reading re Pope:
Chancery report in English
Chancery report in Chinese

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

The evil of compulsory celibacy

Link between compulsory celibacy
 and sexual abuse

"Same-sex marriage": 
two elephants in the men's room     

     Near Death Experiences

Globalisation of Indifference

Many thanks for checking
 this website each day

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 for November 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

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