My Islam File        Muslim map of world

"Gay marriage" - Elephants in men's room

The New Translation

One-child policy 'breeds little emperors with skewed values' 

One of China's most influential expat writers says the country's one-child policy has had alarming unforeseen consequences and produced a generation of "little emperors" whose values are dangerously skewed

In this week after Pentecost, let's each day pray the beautiful Pentecost Sequence

Excellent article, simple and easy to read: Who Is the Third Person of the Trinity? by Nicky Gumbel, husband to Pippa, Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton Church, and pioneer of Alpha course

A happy experience yesterday: HK Malawi volunteer Janny Law and I attended a lengthy sharing session (two and a half hours) with a group of 12 priests, talking about Malawi and Tanzania

And last Sunday morning, after speaking at my 8.30am Yau Ma Tei Mass, Janny joined a group from the Mass for a sharing Yum Cha. Photos here

Genesis 19

The men of Sodom practised sodomy. 

They wanted to abuse the two angels who looked like men
when the angels visited the home of Abraham's nephew, Lot.

So the angels struck the threatening men with blindness.

Then the angels told Lot and his family to leave Sodom immediately, because it would soon be destroyed.

As soon as Lot and his family had left Sodom, the town was destroyed by a volcanic storm

Dear God, please help people avoid sodomy

Psalm 138

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart. You have heard the words of my mouth.

With the angels I will bless you.
I will adore you in your holy temple.

I thank you for your faithfulness and love, which are far above what we can understand.

On the day I called you answered.
You increased the strength of my soul.

All earth's kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth.

They shall sing of the Lord's ways:
"How great is the glory of the Lord!"

Though I walk in the midst of affliction, you give me life and frustrate my foes.

Your love, O Lord, is eternal.
Do not abandon us whom you have made.

Lord, when we remember how much you love us and help us, 
every day of the year is a Thanksgiving Day

Recording

Philemon 9-15

While here in prison, I have helped someone you know
to become a believer. He is carrying this letter - Onesimus

I'm sending him back to you, no longer your slave, but your brother in Christ

Please welcome him as you would welcome me. And let me pay for anything he stole from you

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you

Jesus, please put an end to slavery in the world

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

 John 15.18 - 16.1

At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples "If you belonged to the world, the world would be friendly to you. But because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world is unfriendly to you

Just as I am hated and persecuted, so you also will be hated and  persecuted. As the Scripture says 'They hated me for no reason'

I am telling you these things now, so that when they happen, your faith will not be shaken

Jesus, if people are unfriendly because I am a Christian, 
please give me strength and courage

Recording

 YouTube report of beatification of Oscar Romero 

10 years ago today

2005-05-26 Bon Voyage Paddy - going to Henan tomorrow for Junior Three final exams

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 26th 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 26th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Togo

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Boko Haram 

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)

My Islam File     Muslim map of world

"Gay marriage" - Elephants in men's room

Africa quiz - test your knowledge

To celebrate Africa day on the anniversary of the birth of the Organisation of African Unity, 25 May 1963, The Guardian has put together this quiz.  

Recommended by a reader in Australia: Underwater footage from Fiji and Tonga

YouTube: (with lyrics)
Welcome Holy Spirit 
1,109,613 views

In this week after Pentecost,
 let's each day pray the beautiful Pentecost Sequence

Genesis 18

One day at Mamre, God and two angels appeared to Abraham. At first, God and the angels looked like men.

Following the ancient custom of hospitality, Abraham prepared a feast for them.

God told Abraham that the town of Sodom was going to be destroyed  because of the evil done there.

Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy Sodom. God agreed to postpone Sodom's destruction for a while.
 
Dear God, please help people avoid sodomy

My recording of this reading

Psalm 137

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and cried, remembering Zion. On the poplars that grew there we hung up our harps.

For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs. "Sing to us", they said, "one of Zion's songs".

O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil? If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither.

O let my tongue cleave to my mouth, if I remember you not, Jerusalem, above all my joys.

Lord, please help  people who have been exiled from their homeland

Recording

Beautiful song based on the above words:
By the Rivers of Babylon (YouTube)

Philemon 1-7

From Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy, to our dear fellow worker Philemon and the church that meets in your house.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

I am so happy that your faith and love have given great encouragement to the believers

Jesus, bless all house church groups and meetings

Recording

John 14.23-27

At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples "If you love me, you will put my words into practice, and my Father will love you, and we shall make our home in your heart

The New Friend, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you

Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give"

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, please help me understand how you live in my heart. Thank you for your peace

Recording

Happy Pentecost
To live a Life in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, is to live a life not of this world, but, truly, a heavenly existence, in spite of the fact, that we physically dwell on this earth

Recommended by a reader in Australia - concerned at "racism"  towards Mainlanders

Protest over 12-year-old illegal immigrant

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel 

2. The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.

Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.

This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.

10 years ago today

Car tracking system to reduce accidents in pipeline

This means accidents happen in a pipeline?

Should be: "In pipeline: car tracking system to reduce accidents"

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 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

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify ISIS 

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)

My Islam File     Muslim map of world

"Gay marriage" - Elephants in men's room

The New Translation

COME HOLY SPIRIT!  FALL AFRESH ON THE WORLD, ON THE CHURCH!

10 min YouTube: The Day of Pentecost (good!) Mary prays for outpouring of Holy Spirit (John Paul II) "Just as in the Incarnation, the Spirit had formed the physical body of Christ in her virginal womb, now in the Upper Room the same Spirit comes down to give life to the Mystical Body" Hudson Taylor: “Since the days of Pentecost, has the whole church ever put aside every other work and waited upon Him for ten days, that the Spirit’s power might be manifested? We give too much attention to method and machinery and resources, and too little to the source of power.” The forgotten Paraclete (2013)

c.f. Readings for Pentecost

Acts 2.1-4

About ten days after Jesus' ascension to heaven, was the Feast of Pentecost. Jesus' 12 apostles, his mother, several other women, and his brothers were together in one room

Suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind. Tongues of fire appeared and came to rest on the head of each of them

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages

Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me. Fall afresh on our world

My recording of this reading

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.

Lord, send forth your Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth

Recording

Galatians 5.19-26

When self-indulgence is at work, the results are obvious: sexual irresponsibility, sorcery, feuds and wrangling, jealousy and drunkenness

What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness, gentleness and self-control

You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent desires

Let us be directed by the Spirit. We must stop being conceited, provocative and envious

Holy Spirit,  please increase your influence in my life

Recording

John 15-16

Recording

Today:
 Blessed Oscar Romero!

Click to enlarge images

Civil war still a bitter memory as El Salvador prepares to beatify Romero

 Cholera outbreak hits 3000 Burundi refugees in Tanzania

Nigeria, a land of promise and problems  

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel   

1. THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Jesus, joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage Christians to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.

On this day in 1953 - DG!

My First Communion, from Fr Rudolf Blockinger OFM Cap who had been expelled from China!

Hour of Love  HK radio program 9.05pm HK time each Sunday night
- with messages about African inmates in HK prisons

For Pentecost Sunday:
Mary at Pentecost to Holy Spirit:
 "....oh, oh, you again"

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 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

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please bless all Muslims in my own country 

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)

My Islam File      Muslim map of world

"Gay marriage" - Elephants in men's room

The New Translation

The dove: At the end of the flood, whose symbolism refers to Baptism, a dove released by Noah returns with a fresh olive-tree branch in its beak as a sign that the earth was again habitable. When Jesus comes up from the water of his baptism, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down upon him and remains with him. The Spirit comes down and remains in the purified hearts of the baptized. In some churches, the Eucharist is reserved in a metal receptacle in the form of a dove (columbarium) suspended above the altar. Christian iconography traditionally uses a dove to suggest the Spirit.  - CCC 701     

Patrick Ryan S.J. was in Nigeria for 11 years and in Ghana for 15 years. In this video interview he shares his knowledge of Islam:
Understanding Islam

c.f. readings for vigil of Pentecost

Joel 1-4

My country has been invaded. Joy has disappeared from the land.

Priests, put on sackcloth, and lament. Proclaim a fast to pray for our nation.

Turn to the Lord your God again,
for he is all tenderness and compassion.

Call out to the Lord for help. "Spare your people, Lord!"

The Lord replies: " I will save and rescue you.

I will pour out my spirit on all peoples. Everyone will prophesy and see visions.

You will learn that I am the Lord your God. Jerusalem will be a holy place."

Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit on all nations

My recording of this reading

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.

Lord, send forth your Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth

Recording

Romans 8.14-21

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a child of God. The Spirit lets us use children's language to speak to God tenderly as "Abba, Father"

Since we are God's children, we are also his heirs, coheirs with Jesus, sharing his suffering so as to share his glory

What we suffer in this life can never be compared with the glorious life we will have in heaven

The whole of creation looks forward to sharing the same glory, to sharing immortality

Holy Spirit, please help us pray!

Recording

Everyone Moved by the Spirit 
- beautiful song by Carey Landry

John 7.37-39

During the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus called out loudly  in the Temple "If anyone is thirsty, come to me. Anyone who believes in me, come and drink!"

As Scripture says "From his heart will flow fountains of living water"

Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit, which people who believed in him were to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified

Holy Spirit, flowing from the heart of Jesus, please increase your influence in my life

Recording

John Garnaut

Three families sat down to eat dinner. The hostess said to her young daughter, "Honey, would you say the blessing for us?"

"I don't know," said the youngster. "I don't know what to say."

"Just say what you've heard Mommy say," responded her mother.

"Okay," she said. "Dear God, why did I invite all these people over?"

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 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

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify the Taliban

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)

My Islam File     Muslim map of world

"Gay marriage" - Elephants in men's room

The New Translation

Pope to Catholics in China
"Ask Mary to help Catholics in China... to live spiritually united to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built" 

President Xi in warning on religion
"religions must be independent from foreign influence"

Can Islam be Reformed?
It's a tricky question because, according to a great many Muslim leaders and Western leaders, it doesn't need reforming.  As they keep insisting, the beheadings, slave trafficking, and general violence committed in the name of Islam have nothing to do with Islam.

Rather than Reformation, the Islamic world needs to enter the Age of Reason

Genesis 17

God appeared to Abraham and said to him "I will make an everlasting covenant with you and your descendants.

As a sign of this covenant, all your males must be circumcised. Baby boys must be circumcised when they are eight days old.

Also, Sarah your wife, even though she is old, will bear you a son. You will name him Isaac."

Dear God,  please bless all the babies in the world

My recording of this reading

Psalm 136

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

It was his wisdom which made the skies, for his great love is without end.

It was he who made the sun, moon and stars, for his great love is without end.

It was he who rescued and protected his people Israel, for his great love is without end.

He gives food to all living things,
for his great love is without end.

To the God of heaven give thanks,
for his great love is without end.

We praise you, Lord, for your great love is without end

Recording

Titus 3.8-15

Tell people to keep their minds occupied in doing good works

Avoid useless speculations about trivial matters

All believers, including elders, should try to be self-supporting

Grace be with you all

Jesus, help me be a doer and not just a talker

Recording

John 14.8-21

At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples "To have seen me, is to have seen the Father. I am in the Father, and the Father is in me

Whatever you ask for in my name, I will do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments

I will ask the Father and he will give you another Friend to be always with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth who will be living in your heart

If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home in his heart"

Father, Jesus, Spirit of Truth - three Persons, one God  - thank you for living in my heart

Recording

Analysis: Burundi's turmoil points to a shifting social and political landscape
Analysts see the upheaval in Burundi as symptomatic of a public craving for principled politics and an end to the era of the autocratic statesman

Referendum in Ireland today on legalisation of "gay marriage".
In the past week, three Catholic websites - The Association of Catholic Priests (Ireland), Crux and UCANews - have refused to publish my "gay marriage" comment which uses my article  Elephants in men's room.  All three sites, and other Catholic sites like NCR, have a strong "gay marriage" agenda. What does this say?  

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 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

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, on this Muslim day of prayer, please bless all Muslims!

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)

My Islam File     Muslim map of world

"Gay marriage" - Elephants in men's room

The New Translation

Does Romero's beatification signal where Francis is leading the church?

Romero modeled Pope Francis' image of the pastor "who smells like the sheep," immersing himself in the lives of workers, students and families, especially children and the elderly

To prepare for Pentecost
let's reflect on the Holy Spirit

The finger is another symbol of the Holy Spirit.  It was by the finger of God that Jesus cast out demons. If God's law was written on tablets of stone "by the finger of God," then the "letter from Christ" entrusted to the care of the apostles, is written "with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts." The hymn Veni Creator Spiritus invokes the Holy Spirit as " the finger of the Father's right hand."  - c.f. CCC 700 

Today is the feast day of Eugene de Mazenod who died on this day in 1861 in France

As a young priest, Eugene nearly died after contracting typhus from prison ministry. He founded the Oblates of Mary Immaculte (O.M.I.), a congregation with preference for the poor 

Coming from a troubled family, Eugene is a patron of dysfunctional families

Genesis 16

Abraham and his wife Sarah had been married many years but they did not have any children.

So Sarah said to Abraham, "Take my slave Hagar and have children by her."

When Hagar bore a son, Sarah was jealous and treated Hagar badly.

Hagar ran away from home, but God said to her "Go back to your mistress and submit to her; I will bless all your descendants."

Dear God, please help childless couples to have a baby

My recording of this reading

Psalm 135

Praise the name of the Lord, praise him, servants of the Lord.

Praise the Lord for he is good.
Sing a psalm to his name for he is loving.

I know the Lord is great. He does whatever he wills, in heaven, on earth, in the seas.

Pagan idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they cannot speak. They have eyes, but they cannot see.

Sons of Israel, do not trust in useless idols. Sons of Aaron, trust only in our Creator and Lord.

Dear Lord, please help people who worship idols to know and love you

Recording

Titus 3.1-7

Remind everyone to be obedient to government officials; to be ready to do good at every opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels; to be courteous and polite to everyone

There was a time when we too were ignorant; when we lived in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves

But then the kindness and love of God our Saviour were revealed, and God saved us because of his compassion

God saved us by the cleansing water of rebirth, and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit whom he has poured over us through Jesus Christ our Saviour

So we are justified by his grace, and look forward to eternal life

Jesus, Saviour of the world, you are our Saviour

Recording

John 11.46-54

The religious leaders had a meeting to decide what to do about Jesus.

They said "If this man keeps on doing miracles, everyone will follow him. Then the Romans will see him as a threat, and they will wipe out our nation"

The main  leader said "It is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed"

These words had more meaning than the leader realized, since Jesus was to die not just for the nation, but for the whole world

Since the leaders wanted to kill him, Jesus went to a remote area near the desert, and stayed there with his disciples

Jesus, please help me better understand how your death saved the world

Recording

John Allen

The pope, Abbas, and the fuss over the ‘angel of peace’
Too much is being made of Francis’ off-the-cuff remark to the Palestinian president, overshadowing the significant gestures of support the Vatican made last week.

Recommended by a reader in Australia:
Royal commission told Cardinal George Pell tried to buy victim's silence about abuse

Today is the birthday (1832) of one of the world's greatest Christian apostles: Hudson Taylor.

Like Matteo Ricci before him, he had great love and respect for Chinese culture and language, he adopted Chinese customs etc.

He and Ricci "on the other side of the veil" (Heaven) must often share memorable experiences!

A cop pulled over a car and approached the driver, a nun.

"Why were you only driving 23 miles per hour on the Highway?" He asked.

"Well, the sign said 23 miles per hour," she replied.

"No, that sign said Highway 23. That's not the speed limit," he said. Then, looking at the other nuns in the car, he asked, "Why do they look so shaken up?"

"We just exited Interstate 196," she answered. 

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 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

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Al-Qaeda

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)

My Islam File      Muslim map of world

"Gay marriage" - Elephants in men's room

The New Translation

Click to enlarge
 - see anyone smiling?

Burundi unrest leaves 50,000 refugees facing dire conditions in Tanzania

Cholera outbreak kills at least 17 Burundi refugees

To prepare for Pentecost
let's reflect on the Holy Spirit

- today: The Hand

The Church has kept this sign of the all-powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit  by having the priest at Mass extend his hands over the bread and wine as he says "Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy"  ^{- c.f.  CCC 699}

In this week before Pentecost, 
let's often pray each day:

Come Holy Spirit, 
fall afresh on our world!

Genesis 14-15

In the land of Canaan there were many kings. Sometimes they went to war against each other.

Melchizedek, king of Salem, was also a priest of God. Abraham gave Melchizedek 10% of all his possessions. Melchizedek gave Abraham bread and wine.

Melchizedek asked God to give Abraham a special blessing.

God said to Abraham, "This land of Canaan is yours; I give it to you and your descendants."

Dear God, please help all the kings and leaders in the world to be friends

Psalm 134

O come, bless the Lord,
all you who serve the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Lift up your hands to heaven
and bless the Lord through the night.

May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made both heaven and earth.

Lord, please  protect my family tonight and every night

Recording

Today's Gospel:

Titus 2.11-14

God's grace has made salvation available for the whole human race.

We must give up everything that does not lead to God

We must delete our worldly ambitions. We must be self-restrained and live good lives here in this present world, while we wait in hope for the blessings that will come with the Coming of the glory of our God and savior Christ Jesus

He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from wickedness, and to purify us so that we would have no ambition except to do good

Jesus, please help me give up everything that does not lead to you

Recording

John 11.1-44

Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived in the village of Bethany. When Lazarus became very sick, the sisters sent a message to Jesus "Lord, your dear friend is very sick"

By the time  Jesus and his disciples arrived in Bethany, Lazarus was dead and buried for 4 days

Martha said to Jesus "If you had been here, my brother would not have died"

Jesus replied "I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, he will have life after death"

Jesus said to Mary and Martha "Where have you put him?"  Jesus cried as he went to the tomb. The tomb was a cave with a stone at the entrance

Jesus said "Take the stone away". Then he called out in a loud voice "Lazarus, come out!"

The dead man came out, wrapped in burial clothes. Jesus said "Unwrap him and let him go free"

Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Please give eternal life to my friend (....name...) who died recently

Recording

Chris McDonnell (Wed UK blogger) 

We all have bookshelves ...
How sad it is that so often books (and other historical artefacts) are the target of those who seek violent overthrow of a state or a community. Treasures are lost that cannot be replaced, something is taken from the community that is part of its very life, where it came from and how it might go forward. The burning of books has so often been the mark of a totalitarian regime

South Africa massacre -The untold story of the strike leader who died for workers’ rights

In Cameroon, a school helps to integrate disabled children into society 
(notice that school manager is a priest)

Xenophobia threatens Mandela's vision for a diverse South Africa

John Allen

PLUS: Vatican push for Africa shows why sovereignty matters

- priest in photo was Fr. Mariampillai T. Sarathjeevan, OMI

During the course of a bitter pastor-congregation dispute, the church's pastor quit and found a job working as a chaplain at the local jail. On his last Sunday with the church, just before he left for his new job at the jail, he preached as his sermon text John 14:3: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

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 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

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Al-Shabaab 

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
Link	Link		Link
Link	Link		Link
Link	Link		Link

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

My Islam File

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

----------------------------

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)

The Lord's Day (Pope John Paul II)

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

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To publish an article on this site please contact Fr John Wotherspoon omi:   jdwomi@gmail.com  

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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