"Same-sex marriage" file

Islam File    The New Translation

36. Caring for ecosystems demands far-sightedness, since no one looking for quick and easy profit is truly interested in their preservation. 

But the cost of the damage caused by such selfish lack of concern is much greater than the economic benefits to be obtained.

Where certain species are destroyed or seriously harmed, the values involved are incalculable. 

We can be silent witnesses to terrible injustices if we think that we can obtain significant benefits by making the rest of humanity, present and future, pay the extremely high costs of environmental deterioration.   

See "Pope's climate change letter .... and HK" - below - "Ming Pao"

Large part of yesterday was spent with a journalist and cameraman doing documentary on overseas inmates in HK prisons. Hope the program has the same effect as the Tanzania campaign: a drastic slowdown in the number of inmates being imprisoned in HK.

If the documentary helps even one person avoid prison, it will be worthwhile. More details about the documentary in the week ahead. 

Exodus 23 (b)

God's promise:

"I will send an angel before you to protect you and bring you to the land I have prepared for you.

Eventually you will possess this special land and take it over from the peoples who live there now."

Dear God, thank you for your protection

Psalms 69-70

Save me, O God, for the waters have risen to my neck. I am sinking fast and can't keep afloat much longer.

So many people hate me without cause. I have no more strength to resist them.

May my situation not cause anyone to lose faith in you. May people realize that it is for your sake that I am taunted.

Taunts have broken my heart. No one shows me any compassion.

For food they give me poison. In my thirst they give me vinegar to drink.

Lord, do not hide your face from your servant. Answer quickly for I am in distress.

You are my rescuer, my help, O God. O Lord, do not delay to help me.

Jesus, please help me understand how these words refer to you

Recording 

3 John

From the Elder to my dear friend Gaius. People have told me of your faithfulness to the truth.

It is always a great joy for me when I hear that my children are living according to the truth

Thank you for your hospitality to believers who travel to spread the Good News. Such people deserve whatever support we can give them

Jesus, please bless people who travel to spread the Good News

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 18. 21-35

Peter asked Jesus "How many times must I forgive someone? 7 times?"  Jesus answered "Not 7, but 77 times.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a king who cancelled the huge debt of one of his servants.

But that same servant refused to cancel the tiny debt of one of his fellow servants.

So the king said to the servant:
'When you appealed to me, I had pity on you and cancelled your big debt.  But you refused to have pity on your fellow servant who asked you for mercy. Therefore you must now go to prison until your big debt is paid.'

If you refuse to forgive other people, you are making yourself ineligible for God's forgiveness."

Jesus, please help me to forgive other people, just as you forgive me .... many times ... each day

Recording

China liaison office interfered with HKU pro-vice chancellor appointment, claims ex-editor

 68. The Christian substratum of certain peoples – most of all in the West – is a living reality. Here we find, especially among the most needy, a moral resource which preserves the values of an authentic Christian humanism.

Seeing reality with the eyes of faith, we cannot fail to acknowledge what the Holy Spirit is sowing. It would show a lack of trust in his free and unstinting activity to think that authentic Christian values are absent where great numbers of people have received baptism and express their faith and solidarity with others in a variety of ways.

This means more than acknowledging occasional “seeds of the word”, since it has to do with an authentic Christian faith which has its own expressions and means of showing its relationship to the Church. 

The immense importance of a culture marked by faith cannot be overlooked; before the onslaught of contemporary secularism, an evangelized culture, for all its limits, has many more resources than the mere sum total of believers.

An evangelized popular culture contains values of faith and solidarity capable of encouraging the development of a more just and believing society, and possesses a particular wisdom which ought to be gratefully acknowledged.

My weekly article in today's Ming Pao newspaper
with the topic: Pope's climate change letter ... and HK
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

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 28th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Beijing

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 28th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Lesotho

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)

Same-sex marriage" file

Islam File    The New Translation

35. In assessing the environmental impact of any project, concern is usually shown for its effects on soil, water and air, yet few careful studies are made of its impact on biodiversity, as if the loss of species or animals and plant groups were of little importance.

Highways, new plantations, the fencing-off of certain areas, the damming of water sources, and similar developments, crowd out natural habitats and, at times, break them up in such a way that animal populations can no longer migrate or roam freely. As a result, some species face extinction. 

Alternatives exist which at least lessen the impact of these projects, like the creation of biological corridors, but few countries demonstrate such concern and foresight.

Frequently, when certain species are exploited commercially, little attention is paid to studying their reproductive patterns in order to prevent their depletion and the consequent imbalance of the ecosystem.

Excellent Wikipedia article on Laudato Si

I think the Pope would like this as supporting his letter on climate change & living simply:
An American businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, that it only took a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.

The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor.” (see below, for end of story)

Exodus 23 (a)

Moses told the people:

"Don't be unfair to anyone, friend or foe.

Work for six days, then rest on the seventh day. Work your land for six years, then let the land rest and recover in the seventh year.

Three times a year you must celebrate special feasts: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, the Feast of Ingathering.

On these three feasts all men must present themselves before the Lord."

Thank you Lord for religious festival times

My recording of this reading

Psalms 66 - 68 

O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shine its light upon us.

Let all the peoples praise you, O God. Let all the peoples praise you.

O sing to the Lord, make music to his name. Rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.

Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, God provides a shelter for the homeless.

God gives his people strength

May all the peoples of the earth know you and praise you, O God

Recording

2 John

In our life of truth and love, we have grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father

I write not to give you any new commandment, but the one we were given at the beginning: let us love one another; let us live a life of love

Keep to what Jesus taught. Don't follow anyone who changes what Jesus taught

Jesus, please protect me from people who distort your message

Recording

c.f. Today's Gospel:

Matthew 18.1-10

One day Jesus heard his disciples arguing about which one of them was the most important.

Jesus got a little child to sit in front of them, and said "If you want to be great in God's eyes, become child-like. In fact, unless you become child-like, you won't get to heaven.

And make sure you never cause harm to children like this one.
Remember, the protecting angels of children are in the presence of my Father in heaven."

Jesus, please help me to be more child-like, and please don't let me ever cause harm to children

Recording

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary!
If you have ever examined a mustard seed, you will know that each seed is about the size of the head of a stick pin. Imagine such a seed eventually being compared to the enormity of the Kingdom of God!

67. The individualism of our postmodern and globalized era favours a lifestyle which weakens the development and stability of personal relationships, and distorts family bonds. 

Pastoral activity needs to bring out more clearly the fact that our relationship with the Father demands and encourages a communion which heals, promotes and reinforces interpersonal bonds.

In our world, especially in some countries, different forms of war and conflict are re-emerging, yet we Christians remain steadfast in our intention to respect others, to heal wounds, to build bridges, to strengthen relationships and to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2). 

Today too, various associations for the defence of rights and the pursuit of noble goals are being founded. This is a sign of the desire of many people to contribute to social and cultural progress.

(continued from top of menu):

The American scoffed. “I am a Wharton MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But señor, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “Fifteen or twenty years.”

“But what then, señor?”

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions, señor? Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

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 27th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Tibet

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 27th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Uganda

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)

"Same-sex marriage" file

Islam File    The New Translation
   

33. It is not enough, however, to think of different species merely as potential “resources” to be exploited, while overlooking the fact that they have value in themselves.

Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost for ever. The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity.

Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.

Next Tuesday July 28 is the deadline for paying fees for next semester at The Open University of Hong Kong. Thanks to some kind HK friends, several long-term African prison inmates have been taking courses (by correspondence!) at the university. 

I've now cut back to just two inmates, and for each I need about HK$5,000 (fees and books). But my well is dry, quite dry. If any kind HK friends can please put some water in the well I'd sure be grateful: jdwomi@gmail.com 

Exodus 21

Laws announced by Moses:

"When you buy an Israelite slave, you may keep him for only six years. In the seventh year he is free to leave or stay.

Put to death anyone who kills someone in cold blood, anyone who curses or strikes his father or mother.

If someone injures another person, the compensation will be according to the formula eye for eye, tooth for tooth, burn for burn, injury for injury."

Dear God, please help people not to seek revenge

My recording of this reading

Psalms 52-60

Lord, I will tell everyone about how good you are. You are our Creator. Everyone should love you.

Thank you for so often rescuing me from trouble. You uphold my life.

Sometimes I have so many troubles and cares, that I can't get to sleep.

Sometimes I wish I was a bird, and could fly away to a safe place.

When I fear, I will trust in you, in you whose word I praise.

My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready. I will sing, I will sing your praise.

Each morning I will sing of your strength, and each morning acclaim your love.

O God, please help me to praise and love you every day

Recording

1 John 4.7-16

Let us love one another. Love comes from God. God is love

God showed his love for us by sending his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins

Since God has loved us so much, we should love one another

God is love. Anyone who lives in love, lives in God, and God lives in them

Jesus, you are love itself. May I live in your love

Recording

Today's Gospel:

Matthew 17.1-8

One day Jesus took his disciples Peter, James and John up a high mountain.

On the mountain Jesus' whole appearance changed. His face shone like the sun. His clothes were as white as snow.

The  prophets Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with him. 
Peter said to Jesus "Lord, how good it is for us to be here!"

Then a bright cloud covered them with its shadow. From the cloud came a voice: "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him."

The disciples bowed to the ground. When they got up, they saw only Jesus in his normal appearance.

Jesus, Beloved Son of God, how good it is to spend time with you in prayer 

Recording

Beautiful song based on today's Gospel:  Transfiguration

Fr Jerry Novoty O.M.I.

Central African Republic risks becoming 'case study of a failed state', says report
(Please God the visit by Pope Francis in November will encourage a process of recovery)

Ai Weiwei given passport back
(Why?  Because Xi Jinping due to make state visit to US in September. Stand by for more such stories in coming weeks)

(This is a good commentary on the recent Irish referendum and US High Court decisions re "same-sex marriage" ....acts of seculararization)

64. The process of secularization tends to reduce the faith and the Church to the sphere of the private and personal. Furthermore, by completely rejecting the transcendent, it has produced a growing deterioration of ethics, a weakening of the sense of personal and collective sin, and a steady increase in relativism.

These have led to a general sense of disorientation, especially in the periods of adolescence and young adulthood which are so vulnerable to change.

As the bishops of the United States of America have rightly pointed out, while the Church insists on the existence of objective moral norms which are valid for everyone, “there are those in our culture who portray this teaching as unjust, that is, as opposed to basic human rights. Such claims usually follow from a form of moral relativism that is joined, not without inconsistency, to a belief in the absolute rights of individuals. In this view, the Church is perceived as promoting a particular prejudice and as interfering with individual freedom”.

 We are living in an information-driven society which bombards us indiscriminately with data – all treated as being of equal importance – and which leads to remarkable superficiality in the area of moral discernment. In response, we need to provide an education which teaches critical thinking and encourages the development of mature moral values

Ex-Ming Pao editor unable to identify attackers

(Little bird says that the two men charged are innocent ....police did not arrest the real attackers)

c.f. Who Stabbed Kevin Lau?

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 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, 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)

Colnbrook detention centre (UK): 'There are no windows. The men all suffer mental health problems'

Photos of my trip to Tanzania/Malawi Dec-Jan

Full text

Recording
of  32

Pope's letter on climate change:
Laudato Si - on care for our common home

The Book  Blog
4 readings + recordings

Comments/reflections welcome here
Readings are from Simple Bible

Recording of 62

     "Same-sex marriage" file

Islam File    The New Translation

 31. Greater scarcity of water will lead to an increase in the cost of food and the various products which depend on its use.

Some studies warn that an acute water shortage may occur within a few decades unless urgent action is taken.

The environmental repercussions could affect billions of people; it is also conceivable that the control of water by large multinational businesses may become a major source of conflict in this century.[23]

Each month I try to put something on the No. 1 internet forum of Tanzania and Kenya - Jamii - trying to keep spreading the message that bringing drugs to HK/Macau is a suicide mission because of the very high chance of being imprisoned.

My latest post, yesterday, is here (scroll down to "African drug mules")

c.f. readings for Feast of Mary Magdalene

Song of Songs 3.1-4

Jesus, please increase my love for you, my longing for you

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God, for you I long. My body and soul thirst for you, like a dry, weary land without water.

Your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise.

On my bed I remember you. On you I muse through the night.

Lord, our hearts are restless, until they rest in you

Recording

Mary Magdalene:

2 Corinthians 5.14-19

The love of Christ is like a tsunami. It overwhelms us and sweeps us away when we remember how Jesus died for everyone

God, through Christ, has repaired his friendship with humanity. We must spread the news of this reconciliation

"And when I think, that God his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in"
- from the song "How Great Thou Art"

Recording

 Mary Magdalene:
 friend, icon, model

Mary Magdalene  
(Wikipedia)

John 20.11-18

Peter and John went home. Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb, crying. When she looked inside the tomb, she saw two angels in white. She also saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognize him

Jesus said "Woman, why are you crying?". Mary thought he was the gardener so she said to him "If you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him"

Jesus said "Mary" and she recognized him. Jesus then said "I will ascend to my Father"

Mary went and told the disciples all she had seen and heard

Jesus, please bless people who are crying at funerals  today. May awareness of your presence bring them peace and strength for the days ahead

Recording

Chris McDonnell (Wed UK blogger) 

A man remembered. Dom Helder Camara
If ever a man walked the path that Pope Francis is advocating for his fellow bishops, it was Camara. He was an inspiration not only to his people in Brazil but to the church beyond the bounds of South America .

----------

Above article strikes a chord with anyone who is trying to follow the example of Pope Franics in care for the poor. Article made me do a bit more reading about Camara ...and in this article I found these words:
He even went as far as suggesting that Pope John XXIII should, in a symbolic gesture, hand over the Vatican and all its fine works of art to Unesco, and go to live in a much more modest building as Bishop of Rome. It was a proposal that was not taken up.

Camara refused to live in the Episcopal Palace, and he liked recalling how one day, at a crowded meeting in the palace, he had persuaded a peasant to take the only remaining seat - the episcopal throne. Another favourite anecdote that he recounted with great glee concerned Mother Teresa. When she asked him how he managed to retain his humility, Camara replied that he had just to imagine himself making a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, not as Jesus but as the donkey who carried him. Years later Mother Teresa reminded Camara of this conversation, saying that she had adapted his advice to Indian conditions by thinking of herself serving God as an old cow

61. We also evangelize when we attempt to confront the various challenges which can arise. On occasion these may take the form of veritable attacks on religious freedom or new persecutions directed against Christians; in some countries these have reached alarming levels of hatred and violence.

In many places, the problem is more that of widespread indifference and relativism, linked to disillusionment and the crisis of ideologies which has come about as a reaction to anything which might appear totalitarian. This not only harms the Church but the fabric of society as a whole. 

We should recognize how in a culture where each person wants to be bearer of his or her own subjective truth, it becomes difficult for citizens to devise a common plan which transcends individual gain and personal ambitions.

True story from yesterday: In the morning a friend asked me by email to check on something in the afternoon and then email him with the info. My reply email had the words: "I have to go to a hospital after going to a prison ...won't be home till after 7pm. Will try to email you about 8pm". Friend replied (in seriousness, not trying to be funny, re the hospital): "I hope it's nothing serious".  

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 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, 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)