My Islam File       

The New Translation

19. Following a period of irrational confidence in progress and human abilities, some sectors of society are now adopting a more critical approach. 

We see increasing sensitivity to the environment and the need to protect nature, along with a growing concern, both genuine and distressing, for what is happening to our planet.

Let us review, however cursorily, those questions which are troubling us today and which we can no longer sweep under the carpet.

Our goal is not to amass information or to satisfy curiosity, but rather to become painfully aware, to dare to turn what is happening to the world into our own personal suffering and thus to discover what each of us can do about it.   

Francis offers embrace to all upon landing in Ecuador

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

No plan B if Paris climate summit  fails, says EU climate chief

Laudato Si': special interview with Leonardo Boff  (scroll down)

Exodus 7

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh again, and showed him  Aaron's staff changing into a snake.

When Pharaoh's magicians were able to do the same thing, Aaron's staff swallowed up the magicians' staffs.

But Pharaoh's heart stayed stubborn, and he wouldn't listen to Moses and Aaron.

So God told Moses and Aaron to go to the river the next morning.
When they saw Pharaoh there, Aaron struck the river with his staff, and the river and all water throughout Egypt turned into blood.

But Pharaoh still would not let the Israelites go.

Dear God, please soften stubborn hearts that make life difficult for other people

Psalm 31

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress. My eyes are full of tears, my heart full of sorrow.

Everyone makes fun of me. My friends don't want to know me.
Save me, Lord, from this mess.

I praise you Lord, for you protect those who trust you. You keep them safe from slander and lies.

Be strong, let your heart take courage, all you who trust in the Lord

I trust in you, Lord. My life is in your hands

Recording

1 Peter 3.8-11

Be agreeable and sympathetic. Love everyone. Have compassion and be self-effacing

Never pay back one wrong with another, or an angry word with another one. Instead, pay back with a blessing

Anyone who wants to have a happy life must banish malice from their tongue; they must avoid evil, do good and seek peace

Jesus, when people are  unkind to me, help me to pray in my heart "Lord, please bless them"

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

Matthew 12.46-50

One day when Jesus was speaking to a crowd of people inside a house, his mother and brothers arrived at the house.

From outside the house they sent a message to say they would like to speak with him.

When Jesus heard they were there, he said "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"

Then holding out his hand towards his disciples he said "Here are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, that person is my brother and sister and mother."

Brother Jesus,  please help me do the will of your Father in heaven

Recording

 Today, July 7, an important day in Chinese history: The Marco Polo Bridge Incident
(1937 - Japanese invasion of China ... an early WWII start for China)

China’s Falling Markets - Blame the Foreigners

A happy story from yesterday at Lai Chi Kok Detention Centre:

After I finished greeting individually the 60 or so inmates of Room 3B ...and giving out Bibles etc ....I followed my usual custom of inviting the inmates to make a circle, standing, and put their right hand on the left shoulder of the man next to them (as in this photo, a seated version).

About 20 men joined in - Christians, Muslims, Buddhists (a group of 8 or 9 from the Mainland) - and we had a minute's silent prayer + 30 secs in Putonghua + 30 secs in English. Then hands into the middle for a big "sign of peace". That was it. But as we finished I noticed the main guard of the room with the TV remote control in his hand. I hadn't noticed, and certainly hadn't asked him, but spontaneously he had kindly turned down the TV volume while the prayer was in progress. There are still a lot of good people in this old world!

HK: Refugees not allowed to purchase certain products with newly introduced food coupons

46. A Church which “goes forth” is a Church whose doors are open. 

Going out to others in order to reach the fringes of humanity does not mean rushing out aimlessly into the world.

 Often it is better simply to slow down, to put aside our eagerness, in order to see and listen to others, to stop rushing from one thing to another, and to remain with someone who has faltered along the way. 

At times we have to be like the father of the prodigal son, who always keeps his door open so that when the son returns, he can readily pass through it.

Yesterday at Lai Chi Kok Detention Centre I asked one of the guards near "L" block if the inmates of the 8/F were still in their day room (on the 8/F) or (since it was already c.4.30pm) had they gone to the dining room (in another building). But when I said "L8 still up there?" (in Cantonese "L-bart still up there?" (pointing to upper floor) the guard (quite seriously, no joke intended) just said "who is Albert?". In fact I should have said "8-L".

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 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

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     

The New Translation

18. The continued acceleration of changes affecting humanity and the planet is coupled today with a more intensified pace of life and work which might be called “rapidification”.

 Although change is part of the working of complex systems, the speed with which human activity has developed contrasts with the naturally slow pace of biological evolution.

 Moreover, the goals of this rapid and constant change are not necessarily geared to the common good or to integral and sustainable human development.

 Change is something desirable, yet it becomes a source of anxiety when it causes harm to the world and to the quality of life of much of humanity.

Pope Francis is in the air
- on the way to Ecuador

Pope Francis returns to
 South America - BBC.com

Exodus 5-6

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said 'God says: let my people go into the desert to worship me".'

Pharaoh not only refused to let them go; he also made their life more difficult by forcing them to gather their own straw for making bricks.

The people complained to Moses and Aaron for having made their life more difficult.

So Moses prayed to God for help,
and God said he would force Pharaoh to let the people go.

Dear God, please don't let me make life difficult for other people

My recording of this reading

Psalms 29-30

The Lord gives us strength, the Lord blesses us with peace.

Thank you, Lord, for so often helping and healing me.

I cried to you when sickness surrounded me, and you healed me.

You  changed my mourning into dancing. So I will thank you always.

Thank you, Lord, for all the times you have healed me

Recording

1 Peter 3.1-7

Wives, honor and respect your husbands. If some husbands are not yet believers, they may find themselves won over to the Lord, without a word spoken, by the goodness of their wives

Wives, do not dress up for show: special hair style, gold bracelets, expensive clothes - all outside stuff

What matters is what's inside: a sweet and gentle disposition - that's what God likes

Husbands, be kind and thoughtful to your wives, respecting them as equals

Jesus, help husbands and wives imitate your love

Recording

Matthew 12.9-14

On another Sabbath, Jesus  visited a prayer hall. A man with a withered hand was in the hall.

Some religious leaders asked Jesus, to trap him, "Is it lawful to heal a man on the Sabbath day?"
(The leaders taught that no "work" could be done on the Sabbath).

Jesus replied: "If one of your sheep fell down a hole on the Sabbath, wouldn't you lift it out?

A man is more important than a sheep. Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Then Jesus said to the man with the withered hand "Stretch out your hand". He stretched it out. It was healed.

The religious leaders left the prayer hall and began plotting how to get rid of Jesus

Jesus, please stop bad religious leaders from misleading people

Recording

Jesus and Healing
It is curious that while we are cognizant of Jesus "displaying the power of God"…. Jesus insists it is the "faith" of the people who seek Him that saves them.

Julia Gillard urges action on lack of schooling for 121m children worldwide
"Educating girls is win, win, win all round"

"Same-sex marriage"

Legalising gay marriage in Australia could be seen by Asian neighbours as 'decadent' - Joyce

Reflection by Fr Jerry Novotny O.M.I.

45. We see that the task of evangelization operates within the limits of language and of circumstances. It constantly seeks to communicate more effectively the truth of the Gospel in a specific context, without renouncing the truth, the goodness and the light which it brings. 

A missionary heart is aware of these limits and makes itself “weak with the weak... everything for everyone”.  It never closes itself off, never retreats into its own security, never opts for rigidity and defensiveness. 

It realizes that it has to grow in its own understanding of the Gospel and in discerning the paths of the Spirit, and so it always does what good it can, even if in the process, its shoes get soiled by the mud of the street.

10 years ago today

2005-07-06 Happy re-union with Wednesday night group.....on a day when temperature hit 42 degrees!

2005-07-06 Visit to C.A.S. by Thomas' Hong Kong relatives, after visiting poor areas and centres yesterday

Clever headline:
Australia: Carbon tax repeal sparks jump in electricity emissions

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

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 Liberia

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     

The New Translation

16. ... I will point to:
- the intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet - the conviction that everything in the world is connected
- the critique of new ... forms of power derived from technology
- the call to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress
- the value proper to each creature
- the human side of ecology
- the need for forthright and honest debate
- the serious responsibility of international and local policy
- the throwaway culture
- the proposal of a new lifestyle...

Jesus, please give Pope Francis a safe and successful trip this week to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay!

Vatican Radio Chinese site - has  an unofficial Chinese summary of Laudato Si. Hope Chinese readers will Si it at this link:
http://zht.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/06/18/教宗方濟各《願祢受讚頌》通諭簡介/1152287  (I'm unable to link this link)

c.f. Readings for "Sunday 14"

Ezekiel 1-3

About 5 years after the first group of Jews were exiled to Babylon,
Ezekiel received a vision while he was with the exiles in Babylon.

Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord and he heard a voice saying: "I am choosing you to speak my message to the people.

Whether the people listen to you or not, you must keep on proclaiming my message.

You are to be a sentry to the House of Israel, a lookout who warns them of danger coming."

Lord, please help people listen to your message and obey it

My recording of this reading

Psalm 123

To you have I lifted up my eyes,
you who dwell in the heavens.

My eyes, like the eyes of slaves
on the hand of their lords.

Like the eyes of a servant on the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are on the Lord our God till he show us mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. We are filled with contempt.

Indeed all too full is our soul with the scorn of the rich, with the proud man's disdain.

Lord, please protect poor people 
from being exploited by rich people  (.... and strengthen people who are insulted for speaking the truth)

Recording

2 Corinthians 12.7-10

In view of the extraordinary nature of these revelations, to stop me from getting too proud, I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! 

About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’

So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.

Jesus, please give courage to people who are insulted for speaking the truth

Recording

Mark 6.1-6

Jesus and his disciples went to his home town of Nazareth. On the Sabbath he went to the prayer hall and began teaching.

People in the prayer hall were astonished at his teaching. "Who does he think he is?" they asked. "He is just a carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, Joset, Jude and Simon. His sisters also are here." And they would not accept him.

So Jesus said to them "A prophet is despised only in his own country "

Because of their lack of faith, Jesus cured only a few sick people there. He was amazed at the lack of faith in Nazareth.

Jesus, please help me be happy about your gifts to others

Recording

 Paraguay hopes Pope will make historic gesture of solidarity during three-nation trip

 UN declares Burundi elections not free or credible amid tense standoff
(I am in email contact with someone in Burundi. House-bound for several weeks now. Not safe to go outside)
God our Father, please give peace to Burundi!

44. Pastors and the lay faithful who accompany their brothers and sisters in faith or on a journey of openness to God must always remember what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches quite clearly: “Imputability and responsibility for an action can be diminished or even nullified by ignorance, inadvertence, duress, fear, habit, inordinate attachments, and other psychological or social factors”.

 Consequently, without detracting from the evangelical ideal, they need to accompany with mercy and patience the developing stages of personal growth as these progressively occur.

 I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber, but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs us on to do our best.

 A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties. Everyone needs to be touched by the comfort and attraction of God’s saving love, which is mysteriously at work in each person, above and beyond their faults and failings.

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 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

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      

The New Translation

15. It is my hope that this Encyclical Letter, which is now added to the body of the Church’s social teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we face. 

I will begin by briefly reviewing several aspects of the present ecological crisis, with the aim of drawing on the results of the best scientific research available today, letting them touch us deeply and provide a concrete foundation for the ethical and spiritual itinerary that follows.

I will then consider some principles drawn from the Judaeo-Christian tradition which can render our commitment to the environment more coherent. I will then attempt to get to the roots of the present situation, so as to consider not only its symptoms but also its deepest causes. This will help to provide an approach to ecology which respects our unique place as human beings in this world and our relationship to our surroundings.

In light of this reflection, I will advance some broader proposals for dialogue and action which would involve each of us as individuals, and also affect international policy. Finally, convinced as I am that change is impossible without motivation and a process of education, I will offer some inspired guidelines for human development to be found in the treasure of Christian spiritual experience.

Exodus 4

Moses said to God "What if the people won't believe you sent me?"

God said "Throw your staff onto the ground." When Moses threw his staff onto the ground, it became a snake.

"Catch it by the tail" said God. When Moses caught it by the tail, it changed back into a staff.

Moses said to God "I'm a poor speaker." God said "Aaron your older brother can be your mouthpiece. Now go back to Egypt. It's safe to go back now; the people who wanted to kill you are dead."

Back in Egypt, Moses and Aaron gathered the Israelite leaders and told them all that God had said.
The elders rejoiced that God was going to help them.

Dear God, God of Moses and Aaron, we praise you Lord

My recording of this reading

Psalm 28 (.. in time of danger)

To you, O Lord, I call, my rock, hear me. If you do not heed, I shall become like people in the grave.

Lord, you are my strength and my shield. In you my heart trusts.

Thank you, Lord, for so often hearing my prayer. I will always thank and praise you.

You are the strength of your people Israel. Save your people. Be our shepherd and carry us for ever.

Lord, please help people who are in big danger today

Recording

1 Peter 2.19-25

If you are treated unfairly, put up with it for the sake of God

Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow. He had done nothing wrong. He was insulted and tortured, but did not retaliate

He bore our sins in his own body on the Cross, so that we might die to sin and live for holiness. Through his wounds you have been healed. 

You were like straying sheep, but now have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls

Jesus, please help me put up with difficulties for your sake

Recording

Today's Gospel:

Matthew 12.1-8

One Sabbath day Jesus and his disciples were walking through a cornfield.  The disciples were hungry. They picked some ears of corn and ate them.

Picking corn on the Sabbath was regarded as unlawful by the Pharisees.  So the Pharisees said to Jesus "Your disciples are breaking the Sabbath law".

Jesus replied "Don't you remember what David and his followers once did when they were hungry? They ate the Temple bread which only the priests were allowed to eat.

Go and learn the meaning  of these words 'What I want is mercy, not superficial external offerings'.

I am Master of the Sabbath."

Jesus, Master of the Sabbath, please help me understand that love is more important than law.

Recording

Jesus, please give Francis a safe trip
 to South America over the next week

 Pope can expect warm welcome and tough questions in South America

From a reader in Australia:

"Same-sex marriage"

- How the "Chinese bag people" have conquered the Egyptian retail textile market:

43. In her ongoing discernment, the Church can also come to see that certain customs not directly connected to the heart of the Gospel, even some which have deep historical roots, are no longer properly understood and appreciated. 

Some of these customs may be beautiful, but they no longer serve as means of communicating the Gospel. We should not be afraid to re-examine them.

Also, the Church has some rules or precepts which may have been quite effective in their time, but no longer have the same usefulness for directing and shaping people’s lives.

Saint Thomas Aquinas pointed out that the precepts which Christ and the apostles gave to the people of God “are very few”. Citing Saint Augustine, he noted that the precepts subsequently enjoined by the Church should be insisted upon with moderation “so as not to burden the lives of the faithful” and make our religion a form of servitude, whereas “God’s mercy has willed that we should be free”.

This warning, issued many centuries ago, is most timely today. It ought to be one of the criteria to be taken into account in considering a reform of the Church and her preaching which would enable it to reach everyone.

10 years ago
 on this day

2005-07-04 Thank you C.A.S. for kind donation of bedding and clothing for the poor!

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 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

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    

The New Translation

14. I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. 

The worldwide ecological movement has already made considerable progress and led to the establishment of numerous organizations committed to raising awareness of these challenges. Regrettably, many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest.

Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity. 

As the bishops of Southern Africa have stated: “Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation”. [22] All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.

(My recording of this article)      Pope’s environmental message brings thousands on to streets in Rome

The future of the planet  More people have mobile phones than toilets

Pope adds Canadian ‘secular Jewish feminist’ to climate team           HK has just had its hottest June on record 

c.f. readings for Feast of Saint Thomas

Ephesians 2.19-22

In God's Church you are not foreigners. You are citizens.

You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its base. Christ Jesus himself is the foundation stone. You are being built into a house where God lives

Jesus, be the foundation stone of my life      Recording

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

John 20.21-29 (a)

That same Sunday evening, the doors were locked in the room where the disciples had gathered, for fear of the religious leaders

But Jesus appeared and stood before them, saying "Peace be with you". He showed them his hands and his side and said "As the Father sent me, so I am sending you"

Then he breathed on them, saying "Receive the Holy Spirit"

Thomas, one of the 12 apostles, was not there that night. When the other disciples said they had seen the Lord, he replied "Unless I see and touch his wounded body, I refuse to believe"

Recording

John 20.21-29 (b)

Eight days later, the group was again in the same house, with the doors locked. This time Thomas was with them

Jesus again appeared and stood before them saying "Peace be with you". Then he said to Thomas "Put your hand into my side. Doubt no longer, but believe".  Thomas replied "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said "You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet believe"

Jesus, my Lord and my God, I believe in you. Help me live and grow and die in your friendship

  Recording

‘Up to half’ the bishops in England and Wales want married priests, says Bishop Hollis

Vatican (read: George Pell) 'may' consider divestment from fossil fuels, despite pope's call (for divestment)

Question from a reader:
Why is there suffering in the world?

A good answer - from Francis MacNutt:
Who causes us to suffer?

42. We need to remember that all religious teaching ultimately has to be reflected in the teacher’s way of life, which awakens the assent of the heart by its nearness, love and witness

10 years ago today

2005-07-03 Visit to newly opened Bakhita Centre by members of Rotaract Club of Macau Central

Previous pages: see menu of July 1, July 2, below

Last Wednesday at Hei Ling Chau drug treatment centre, in the kitchen section, one inmate played a prank on me. Knowing how I shake hands with everyone, he put some butter on his hand. Good laugh enjoyed by all, but the old man had the last laugh, because the joke broke the ice with a number of inmates, including Butter Fingers ....and we all had a good chat .... with several  inmates, including BF, accepting Bibles

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 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

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     

The New Translation

13. The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. 

The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home.

Here I want to recognize, encourage and thank all those striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we share.

Particular appreciation is owed to those who tirelessly seek to resolve the tragic effects of environmental degradation on the lives of the world’s poorest. 

Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded.

(My recording of this article)

3 stories below are from The Guardian, which always give generous cover to stories about Pope Francis .... and now is giving top coverage to Laudato Si. Guardian also always gives excellent coverage to stories concerning the poor. Which is why when I received a request yesterday from Guardian to become a member, I gladly did so 

Catholic organisations call for people to change lifestyles to help environment  
- make radical changes to lifestyle:
* cut energy use
* eat less meat
* buy locally produced food
* use public transport

Dalai Lama endorses Pope's radical message

Africa's Cardinal Peter Turkson - the public face of Pope Francis' war on global warming

Exodus 3

The Israelites begged God to free them from slavery in Egypt.

God heard their cry and called Moses to be their leader.

God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and said to him "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I have heard the prayers of my people in Egypt. I now send you to Pharaoh to win the freedom of my people."

Moses asked what was God's name. God replied 'I Am who I Am. Tell the people "I Am has sent me to you".'

Dear God, God of life, God of Abraham, we praise you Lord.

My recording of this reading

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my help, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, before whom shall I shrink? Though an army encamp against me, even then would I trust.

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

It is your face, O Lord, that I seek. Hide not your face. I am sure I will see your goodness in the land of the living.

Hope in the Lord, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!

Lord, you are my light and my help. I will always praise you. 

Recording

1 Peter 2.11-15

Keep yourselves free from selfish passions that attack the soul.

Behave honorably among non-Christians, even if they treat you badly

For the sake of the Lord, accept the authority of every social institution. God wants you to be good citizens

Jesus, bless government officials in our country. Give them good health, courage and wisdom

Recording

Matthew 11.25-30

One day Jesus prayed:

Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
I am joyfully amazed at the way simple people understand and accept what I'm saying, while proud and clever people miss the plot.

And he said to the ordinary people:

Come to me, all you who are treated unfairly by unjust religious laws. I will give you peace and justice.

Learn from me, and you will know peace, for I am gentle and humble of heart.

Jesus, please help people who are suffering from unjust religious laws

Recording

Famous Chinese Christians

(see below, menu of July 1, for first part of introduction)

41. At the same time, today’s vast and rapid cultural changes demand that we constantly seek ways of expressing unchanging truths in a language which brings out their abiding newness.

“The deposit of the faith is one thing... the way it is expressed is another”.

Let us never forget that “the expression of truth can take different forms. The renewal of these forms of expression becomes necessary for the sake of transmitting to the people of today the Gospel message in its unchanging meaning”.

10 years ago 
today

Last Tuesday afternoon Cardinal John Tong kindly led the 50th Anniversary Mass of Po Yan Oblate Primary School in Kowloon City.
During his sermon, the cardinal cleared his throat a few times (.. very hot day ...) at which the person in charge of the ceremony indicated to a teacher to get some water for the cardinal. Just at the very moment this sign-language communication was taking place out of his view, the cardinal in his comment on the day's Gospel quoted the words from the Gospel where Jesus said to the Samaritan woman: "Give me a drink"!  (Cardinal was not asking for a drink ...just explaining the Gospel ...but his timing was perfect!)

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 2nd of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Fujian

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 2nd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Niger

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     

The New Translation

 12. What is more, Saint Francis, faithful to Scripture, invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. 

“Through the greatness and the beauty of creatures one comes to know by analogy their maker” (Wis 13:5); indeed, “his eternal power and divinity have been made known through his works since the creation of the world” (Rom 1:20). 

For this reason, Francis asked that part of the friary garden always be left untouched, so that wild flowers and herbs could grow there, and those who saw them could raise their minds to God, the Creator of such beauty.[21]

Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.

(My recording of this article)     
And ....check this 5 min video to "contemplate with gladness" the beauty of pollination    (from a reader in Australia)

Today is a public holiday in HK to mark the return of HK to China in 1997.  For the past 18 years this day has been a day of huge protests against the bullying of Beijing and an un-caring HK government. 

Some China material for today ...
I've just started reading:

See below for part of its fascinating introduction

Exodus 2.11-22

When Moses became a man, he visited the Israelites and saw their hard life.

He saw an Egyptian hit one of the Israelites, so he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

But people found out; and so did Pharaoh who decided to kill Moses.

Moses then fled to the land of Midian. The priest of Midian had 7 daughters. One day when they drew water for their father's sheep, they were driven away from the well by some shepherds.

Moses protected them from the shepherds and helped them get water from the well.

Their father, Jethro, was grateful to Moses and invited him for a meal.

Moses then stayed with Jethro who gave him his daughter Zipporah for a wife.

Lord, I wonder how Moses felt about teaching people "You shall not kill" since he had killed a man

Psalms 24-26

The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples. It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe.

May all hearts open their doors to the Lord. Let him enter, the king of glory.

Lord I hope in you all the day long. Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth.

God my savior, teach me your way of truth

Recording

1 Peter 2.4-9

Jesus is Mr Livingstone, the living stone rejected by men, but chosen by God.  Stay close to him, so that you too may be living stones in the spiritual house of God's church

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light

Jesus, you are the foundation stone of my life. May I build my life on your teaching, your values, your example

Recording

Matthew 11.1-19

John the Baptist sent some of his friends to ask Jesus "Are you the promised Anointed One?"

Jesus replied "Tell John what you hear and see: blind people see, lame people walk, lepers are healed".

Jesus also said to the people around him how neither John nor himself could please the religious leaders.

"For John always fasted and never drank wine, and people said he was possessed.

I eat well and I drink wine, and people call me a glutton and a drunkard."

Jesus, please help me be someone who is easy to live with, someone who is not hard to please

Recording

Chris McDonnell (Wed UK blogger) 

The significance of flags

The flying of a flag is a matter of significant consequence, it can have a price to pay

Nigerian woman in Tanzania gets life for drug trafficking

Today is also the birthday (1921) of the Chinese Communist Party, which may not have seen the light of day if the Versailles treaty had been fair to China. See this (May 4) reflection. CCP article mentions 80,000,000 members. But everyone in business, education etc is forced to pay annual membership fee before they can get a job, so "80,000,000" needs many grains of salt

40. The Church is herself a missionary disciple; she needs to grow in her interpretation of the revealed word and in her understanding of truth. It is the task of exegetes and theologians to help “the judgment of the Church to mature”.

Within the Church countless issues are being studied and reflected upon with great freedom. Differing currents of thought in philosophy, theology and pastoral practice, if open to being reconciled by the Spirit in respect and love, can enable the Church to grow, since all of them help to express more clearly the immense riches of God’s word. 

For those who long for a monolithic body of doctrine guarded by all and leaving no room for nuance, this might appear as undesirable and leading to confusion. But in fact such variety serves to bring out and develop different facets of the inexhaustible riches of the Gospel

10 years ago today

2005-07-01 Birth Day of Bakhita Centre; 1st Birthday of Ricci Centre; visit of Kevin & Pao; Thomas & Paddy

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 1st of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Anwei

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 1st of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Zaire

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
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 TASMAD
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This website tries to stop "tanks"
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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
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A Call to Action
Assn Catholic Priests Ireland
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Catalyst for Renewal
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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:
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Why I collect rubbish for Pope

Taking a stand

Navigation Aids      

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"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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China Library
 - essential reading for anyone interested in China's Christian history