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V2Catholic.com A voice for the
poor Edited
by HK prison chaplain
Fr John Wotherspoon
O.M.I . 胡頌恆神父
jdwomi@gmail.com
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This website's anti-drug campaign saves people from going to prison in HK See & share inmates' letters! |
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How campaign began HK:how long prison for trafficking? www.AsylumSeekerHK.com |
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Tuesday
February 14
Valentine's Day story - see Ming Pao, below
There
are so many bad things happening - and they get so much publicity - that it's
good to let Valentine's Day remind us that "love makes the world go
round" ....only love gives meaning to our lives....when we do something
good/loving we feel good ....when we do something bad/unloving we feel
bad....the key to improving things for ourselves or our group or our world is
...more love/compassion/care towards others, especially people in need. As in
the old song "What the World Needs Now"
- at this simple but
beautiful YouTube, with lyrics
/what-the-world-needs-now.jpg)
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus
39:
The skilled workers
made the high
priest's vestments:
his ephod, his breastpiece, his robe.
Vestments were also made for the ordinary priests.
When everything for the whole Tent was finished,
Moses examined all the work.
He saw what a good job the workers had done.
Moses then blessed all the workers.
Dear
God, please help me always to do a good job
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
Acts
22.30 - 23.11: To find out why the Jews were attacking Paul,
the captain arranged a meeting of the religious leaders, and allowed Paul
to speak to them. Paul realized that the leaders had two groups:
Sadducees (who didn't believe in angels or an after-life) and Pharisees
(who did believe in angels and an after-life). So Paul called out "I am a Pharisee. It
is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial".
This caused the Pharisees and Sadducees to begin a violent argument that
put Paul's life in danger. The captain ordered Paul to be taken back into
the barracks. The next night, the Lord appeared to him and said
"Courage! You have born witness for me in Jerusalem. Now you must do
the same in Rome".
Jesus, please give courage to Christians who live in
dangerous places
Recording
Luke
7.36-50: A religious leader invited Jesus for a meal.
A woman who had a bad name heard that Jesus was at the leader's home.
She entered the house and knelt behind Jesus, crying. Her tears fell on
Jesus' feet and she wiped them away with her hair. She covered his feet
with kisses, and put ointment on them.
The leader was thinking "If Jesus is a prophet, he would know what
sort of woman is now touching him". So Jesus said to the leader "I
came into your house and you did not follow the custom of pouring water on
my feet. But this woman has poured out her tears on my feet. You gave me no welcoming kiss, but she has
been covering my feet with kisses. You gave me no welcoming oil on my
head, but she has anointed my feet. And I tell you that her sins must have been
forgiven, or she would not have shown such great love. People who are forgiven little,
show little love".
Jesus, please forgive my sins. Help me
show great love
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: Good to think about love on this Valentine's Day. Many types of love. Like the great love of the woman in today's Gospel. Like the love of Jesus for us. In fact of course, Jesus is our Number One Valentine. ...and on a personal note ....I left my parents' home for the seminary on this day in 1965 ....this day has a special message for me ... Jesus indeed meant to be my Number One Valentine!
--------------------------------------------------------
My
article in today's Ming Pao newspaper
with the topic:
A story for Valentine's Day
is on Ming Pao
website - click "Australian in HK".
Free access to article with recording today from about noon to 8pm HK time. Text
without recording
-------------------------------
Famine looms in four countries as system struggles to
cope
“Everyone knows if we responded in a better resourced way and earlier on,
we could reduce the suffering and save lives and it would be cheaper”
------------------------------
Can we end the need for
abortion? One organization aims to find out
Depending on their situation, a woman could walk into one of Marisol’s centers
and come out with a new doctor, a new place to live, and a new community of
support, including emotional counseling, parenting help, and child education
services.
-----------------------------
Repeal ugly Mass
translation - O'Collins
-------------------------------
Dubai: Italian
police concerned about drugs at Dubai airport
--------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of Love - on love in the family
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
302: Recording
The
Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly mentions these factors: “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”.
In another paragraph, the Catechism refers once again to circumstances which mitigate moral responsibility, and mentions at length “affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen or even extenuate moral culpability”.
For this reason, a negative judgment about an objective situation does not imply a judgment about the imputability or culpability of the person involved.
On the basis of these convictions, I consider very fitting what many Synod Fathers wanted to affirm: “Under certain circumstances people find it very difficult to act differently. Therefore, while upholding a general rule, it is necessary to recognize that responsibility with respect to certain actions or decisions is not the same in all cases. Pastoral discernment, while taking into account a person’s properly formed conscience, must take responsibility for these situations. Even the consequences of actions taken are not necessarily the same in all cases”.
---------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
Today I
am reading Day 40 - the final Day - of this excellent little
book 40
Days of Pilgrimage with Pope Francis: Care for Our Common Home"
(used with permission)
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
273: Recording
My mission of being in the heart of the people
is not just a part of my life or a badge I can take off; it is not an
“extra” or just another moment in life. Instead,
it is something I cannot uproot from my being without
destroying my very self. I am
a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world. We
have to regard ourselves as sealed, even branded, by this mission of bringing
light, blessing, enlivening, raising up, healing and
freeing. All around us we begin to see nurses
with soul, teachers with soul, politicians with soul, people
who have chosen deep down to be with others and for others. But
once we separate our work from our private lives, everything turns grey and we
will always be seeking recognition or asserting our needs. We stop being a
people.
-------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
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 14th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jilin
And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: On this 14th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ethiopia
And
praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday February 13
For
the past week in Tanzania
there has been great excitement about the public naming of 75 Drug Barons -
including politicians, media and business personalities. The fire which this
little website helped start back in 2013 is now blazing.....and hopefully will
fan into a fire the coals that are alight in neighbouring Kenya and Uganda. Not
to mention an incendiary bomb about to go off in South Africa when "Special
Assignment" is aired this coming Wednesday night.
In Colombia there is also such a blaze: intense media publicity and grassroots
social media activity - encouraged by this website - have played a part in the
fact that not one Colombian was arrested at HK airport last year.
Authorities in HK now have a Philippine contact to hunt down Drug Lords in the
Philippines.
And: the price of cocaine is continuing to fall internationally.
Thank you Jesus for all this good news!
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus
37-38:
The skilled workers next made the ark,
then the table for the bread offerings,
then the lamp-stand and the altar of incense.
Next they made the altar of sacrifice,
the bronze basin
and the courtyard with its special curtains.
Dear
God, please bless all skilled workers
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
28: 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
Acts
22.24-29: Paul was taken into the soldiers' barracks.
The captain ordered Paul to be tortured to find out the truth about his
situation. But when they tied him down, Paul said
"Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen? The captain said "It cost me a lot of
money to acquire Roman citizenship". Paul replied "I was
born a Roman citizen". Paul was untied without being flogged.
Jesus, help people who are being
tortured today
Recording
Luke
7.18-30: John the Baptist, imprisoned by King Herod,
heard the news about Jesus. John sent two of his friends to
ask Jesus "Are you the promised One?" Jesus replied "Go and tell John
what you have seen today: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is
proclaimed to the poor". Jesus then spoke to the people about John:
"Everyone who accepted baptism from John acknowledged God's plan. But
by refusing baptism from him, the religious leaders thwarted what God had
in mind for them".
Jesus, please don't let me do anything to
thwart your plan for my life
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: Last night at the usual Yau Ma Tei Sunday night gathering for the poor I remembered the words of today's Gospel as I saw 200 poor people using the Simple Bible and listening to Gospel songs. Most of the same people also lined up for the weekly blessing (a brief and simple laying on of hands by Deacon Edwin Ng and myself) ....no lepers or dead people....but a number of lame people. Dear Jesus, please heal them and those with other sicknesses!
--------------------------------------------------------
This company in HK employs ex-inmates. Please encourage people to
support this company:
Israel International Wine Chateau (HK)
HK contact: Kevin Ho +852
92292122 kevin@bethlehem-hk.com
------------------------------------------------------
Ethiopian runners dominate the Hong Kong Marathon
-------------------------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of Love - on love in the family
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
301: Recording For
an adequate understanding of the possibility and need of special discernment in
certain “irregular” situations, one thing must always be taken into account,
lest anyone think that the demands of the Gospel are in any way being
compromised.
The Church possesses a solid body of reflection concerning mitigating factors and situations.
Hence it can no longer simply be said that all those in any “irregular” situation are living in a state of mortal sin and are deprived of sanctifying grace.
More is involved here than mere ignorance of the rule.
A subject may know full well the rule, yet have great difficulty in understanding “its inherent values”, or be in a concrete situation which does not allow him or her to act differently and decide otherwise without further sin.
As the Synod Fathers put it, “factors may exist which limit the ability to make a decision”.
Saint Thomas Aquinas himself recognized that someone may possess grace and charity, yet not be able to exercise any one of the virtues well; in other words, although someone may possess all the infused moral virtues, he does not clearly manifest the existence of one of them, because the outward practice of that virtue is rendered difficult: “Certain saints are said not to possess certain virtues, in so far as they experience difficulty in the acts of those virtues, even though they have the habits of all the virtues”. (...what does Thomas mean?...)
---------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
Today I
am reading Day 39 of this excellent little
book 40
Days of Pilgrimage with Pope Francis: Care for Our Common Home"
(used with permission)
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
272: Recording
The work of
evangelization enriches the mind and the heart; it
opens up spiritual horizons; it makes us more and
more sensitive to the workings of the Holy Spirit, and it
takes us beyond our limited spiritual constructs. A
committed missionary knows the joy of being a spring which
spills over and refreshes others. Only
the person who feels happiness in seeking the good of others, in desiring their
happiness, can be a missionary.
This
openness of the heart is a source of joy, since “it is more blessed to
give than to receive” (Acts
-------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
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 13th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jiangxi
And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: On this 13th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mali
And
praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday February 12
Yesterday I spent several hours preparing a support letter and accompanying documents for a Kenyan inmate due to be sentenced in the High Court on Friday Feb 17 for a drug trafficking charge. Then I mailed a copy of the items to both the inmate and her legal team so they can take them to the court. I also visited a South African inmate who has been in hospital fighting cancer for nearly a year ....sharing with her my experience of meeting her family in Pretoria a few weeks ago. She especially appreciated photos of a new niece and nephew she has never met - they have been born in the six years she has been in prison. In fact, the inmate has been away from home for so long that she had trouble finding her home suburb on a map of Johannesburg!
This
from a dear reader - thank you! - inspiring:
3
minute YouTube of a happy Christmas gathering in a South American prison
And
...thanks to this
piece of simple but invaluable advice (which took only 30 seconds to put
into practice) my Hauwei cellphone and PC can now communicate by USB!
-------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 6
Sirach
15-19: Wisdom makes us happy. Foolishness makes us
sad.
Humility is the pathway to wisdom. We are free to choose good or evil, wisdom or
foolishness.
To live a good life is something everyone can try to do. If we have done something wrong, we must ask
pardon of the Lord.
We must turn our back on wrongdoing, and face towards the Lord. Do not indulge in luxurious living.
Too much wine and luxury corrupts the heart. Avoid gossip and slander.
Be someone who can keep a secret. The way people dress tells you what work they
do.
The way people walk also tells a lot about them.
Lord, please help me turn my
back on wrongdoing.
Help me face towards you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
119: They are happy who follow God's word,
those who seek God with all their hearts. How can young people avoid evil?
By seeking you and obeying you, Lord. Open my eyes, Lord, that I may understand the beauty of your word.
Lord, when I'm worried or in trouble,
your word revives me and gives me strength. Lord, keep my eyes from what is false.
Bend my heart to your word and not to love of gain. The word from your mouth means more to me
than silver and gold. The unfolding of your word gives light
and teaches simple people.
Lord, thank you for your word
which gives peace to our hearts
Recording
1
Corinthians 1.18 - 2.9: The language of the Cross doesn't make sense
for some people. But for us it is God's power to save. While the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks
require philosophy, here we are preaching a crucified Christ: to the Jews
an obstacle they cannot get over, to the pagans madness. During my stay with you, I relied not on
philosophy or my own efforts, but only on the power of the Spirit. The wisdom we teach is about things no eye has
seen, and no ear has heard, things beyond human understanding - all that
God has prepared for those who love him.
Jesus, crucified Lord, please increase my
faith in you
Recording
Matthew
5.13-48: Jesus said to the crowds:
You are the salt of the
earth.
But if salt loses its taste, it's no use for anything. You are the light of
the world.
Let the world see your light, your good deeds.
When people see you doing good deeds,
people will praise God. I have not come to
abolish the Jewish religion.
I have come to raise it to a higher level of goodness. Your goodness must not
just be something superficial.
Your goodness must be something from the heart. You must avoid anger
and insult, just like you avoid murder.
If you have offended someone, say "Sorry". You must avoid lustful
looks and thoughts.
Looking at someone lustfully is immorality of the heart. Love and pray for
people who are unkind to you.
This is the way to practise the highest level of goodness.
Jesus, please help me
practise a higher level of goodness
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings: We
like our children to go to a school which has a high standard. We like food and
other products produced by restaurants/factories with a high standard of
hygiene.
As Christians we are called to aim for a high standard. Jesus hits the nail on
the head in today's Gospel: he continually calls us to a higher level of
goodness.
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of Love - on love in the family
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
300b: Recording Priests
have the duty to “accompany [the divorced and remarried] in helping them to
understand their situation according to the teaching of the Church and the
guidelines of the bishop.
Useful in this process is an examination of conscience through moments of reflection and repentance. The divorced and remarried should ask themselves: how did they act towards their children when the conjugal union entered into crisis; whether or not they made attempts at reconciliation; what has become of the abandoned party; what consequences the new relationship has on the rest of the family and the community of the faithful; and what example is being set for young people who are preparing for marriage. A sincere reflection can strengthen trust in the mercy of God which is not denied anyone”.
What we are speaking of is a process of accompaniment and discernment which “guides the faithful to an awareness of their situation before God. Conversation with the priest, in the internal forum, contributes to the formation of a correct judgment on what hinders the possibility of a fuller participation in the life of the Church and on what steps can foster it and make it grow.
Given that gradualness is not in the law itself , this discernment can never prescind from the Gospel demands of truth and charity, as proposed by the Church. For this discernment to happen, the following conditions must necessarily be present: humility, discretion and love for the Church and her teaching, in a sincere search for God’s will and a desire to make a more perfect response to it”.
These attitudes are essential for avoiding the grave danger of misunderstandings, such as the notion that any priest can quickly grant “exceptions”, or that some people can obtain sacramental privileges in exchange for favours.
When a responsible and tactful person, who does not presume to put his or her own desires ahead of the common good of the Church, meets with a pastor capable of acknowledging the seriousness of the matter before him, there can be no risk that a specific discernment may lead people to think that the Church maintains a double standard.
---------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
Today I
am reading Day 38 of this excellent little
book 40
Days of Pilgrimage with Pope Francis: Care for Our Common Home"
(used with permission)
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
271b: Recording
Clearly Jesus does not want us
to be grandees who look down upon others, but men
and women of the people. This is not an idea
of the Pope, or one pastoral option among others; it is an
injunction contained in the word of God which is so
clear, direct and convincing that it needs no interpretations which might
diminish its power to challenge us. Let
us live it sine glossa, without commentaries. By so doing we will
know the missionary joy of sharing life with God’s
faithful people as we strive to light a fire in the
heart of the world.
------------------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK
radio program 9.05pm HK time tonight
- with messages about African inmates in HK prisons (8.30pm)
-------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
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 12th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jiangsu
And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: On this 12th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea-Bissau
And
praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday February 11
Yesterday at Tai Lam Women's Centre I had the joy and privilege of sharing with five inmates (in individual 30 minute sessions) the happy experience of meeting their families in South Africa recently. And I learnt something for my next trip: when you take a photo of a family, take an extra CLOSE UP photo of the children ...especially the babies. This is what mothers really like. Thus I heard yesterday "Thank you Father for the lovely photos ...but I wish you'd taken a close up of my children". Next time, Please God (...I mean....not next baby, but next trip)!
All
five mothers are from South Africa ...which is awash with drugs:
Drugs from South Africa worth AUD$186m found in mining equipment in Melbourne
Meanwhile
the anti-drug show of the century continues in Tanzania
....check the description of the bishop:
Drama
and comedy as police grill Gwajima and Manji
Also yesterday ....a distracting Biblical thought: Why didn't Luke use Matthew 25.31-46 in his gospel? ...since his Gospel has a special emphasis on the poor? Maybe because he didn't have access to Matthew as we know it? ....just to the 95% of it we know as Mark? This might also explain why the Infancy Narrative of Luke seems unaware of the Infancy Narrative of Matthew?
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus
36: The Israelites were so generous towards
building the Tent
that Moses was told by the craftsmen:
"The people are bringing more than is needed for the Lord's
Tent."
The skilled workers made the tabernacle, the framework
and the veil for
the Tent of Meeting.
Dear
God, please give me a generous heart
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
Acts
22.1-23: Paul said to the crowd "I am a Jew, born
in Tarsus. I was brought up here in Jerusalem. I studied under Gamaliel. I
fully observed the Law of our ancestors. I even persecuted this Way to the
death, and sent many people to prison.
But once when I was on my way to Damascus to arrest followers of the Way,
Jesus appeared to me and said 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are
persecuting me'. Then a believer in Damascus told me I was to be Jesus'
witness in many places".
Up to now, the crowd had listened quietly to Paul, but when he said that
Jesus was sending him to non-Jews in far away places, the crowd shouted "Rid the earth of this man! He's not fit to live!"
Jesus, please help Jewish people accept you as
the Anointed One
Recording
Luke
7.11-17: Jesus and his disciples went to a town called
Nain. Many other people went with them. As they reached the town, a
dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and
she was a widow. When the Lord saw her, he felt sorry for her.
"Do not cry" he said. Then he said "Young man, I tell you
to get up". The dead man sat up and began to talk, and
Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God
saying "A great prophet has appeared among us. God has visited his
people".
Jesus, please give me the faith to pray that
dead people will come back to life - you who once told your disciples
"to raise the dead"
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: Jesus didn't like funerals. He spoilt several ...like the one above.... he even spoilt his own funeral .....and someday....please God....he will also spoil our funerals!
--------------------------------------------------------
Today, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, is World Day of the Sick
Doctor Jesus, please heal our sick friends!
---------------------------------------------------------
Pope denounces 'restorationist' orders, pokes fun at Medjugorje
“If there’s a problem I write a note to St. Joseph and put it under an image I have of him in my room … now he sleeps under a mattress of notes!”
-------------------------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of Love - on love in the family
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
300a: Recording If
we consider the immense variety of concrete situations such as those I have
mentioned, it is understandable that neither the Synod nor this Exhortation
could be expected to provide a new set of general rules, canonical in nature and
applicable to all cases.
What is possible is simply a renewed encouragement to undertake a responsible personal and pastoral discernment of particular cases, one which would recognize that, since “the degree of responsibility is not equal in all cases”, the consequences or effects of a rule need not necessarily always be the same.
---------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
Today I
am reading Day 37 of this excellent little
book 40
Days of Pilgrimage with Pope Francis: Care for Our Common Home"
(used with permission)
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
271a: Recording
It is true that in our dealings with the world, we
are told to give reasons for our hope, but not as an enemy
who critiques and condemns. We are told quite
clearly: “do so with gentleness and reverence”
(1 Pet
---------------------------------------
Vatican and China near
agreement - Cardinal Tong
China now will "let the Pope play a role in the nomination and ordination
of Chinese bishops."
---------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
2007-02-11
Wedding Reception of Mr Xian Zhi Wen and CAS long-serving secretary Win Peng Zhi
Yun
------------------------------------------
Calculators, computers, phones etc are not, of
course, allowed to be taken into HK prisons....but they sure would be useful for
finding one's way in the huge Lo Wu Women's Centre and the new complex of Tai
Lam Women's Centre ....which both feature workshops with often, but not always,
have different numbers from the floors they are on (e.g. at Tai Lam,
"Garments 3" is on the 4th floor of the sentenced section, but
"Garments 1" is on 1st floor of the remand section)
--------------------------------------
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 11th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hunan
And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: On this 11th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Eritrea
And
praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday February 10
Dramatic
news from Tanzania these days .... a list of 65 Drug Barons/Lords has been made
public.
See: Uproar over Makonda list
One of the main names on the list - Idd Azan - (see bottom of article) was named in the very first letter written by a Tanzanian prisoner in HK for my website in 2013....as a result of which Idd paid a visit to a police station ....and as a result of which someone in HK phoned me to stay "why are you telling lies about my uncle?". That very first letter is Here (scroll down...)
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Exodus
35:
Moses encouraged the Israelites to give
willingly and generously
in building the Tent of Meeting.
Everyone whose heart was moved to help
brought their gifts for the Lord.
Dear
God, move our hearts to help other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
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
Acts
21.15-40:
In Jerusalem Paul gave a report to James and
other Christian leaders of all that God had done for non-Jews through his ministry.
But Paul was soon seen by Jews from where he
had traveled. He was dragged out of the Temple and beaten by a wild crowd.
The beating was stopped by a Roman captain who had Paul bound with chains. The crowd was calling out for Paul to be
killed. Paul asked for permission to speak to the
crowd and the captain agreed. Paul then spoke to the crowd in Hebrew.
Jesus, please protect Christians who live in
dangerous places
Recording
Luke
7.
1-10: Jesus went to the town of Capernaum. In the
town there was a Roman soldier, a centurion, who had a dear servant who
has sick and close to death. Having heard about Jesus, the centurion sent
some Jewish friends to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant. The Jewish friends said to Jesus "He
deserves this of you. He is friendly to our people. He is the one who
built our prayer hall". Jesus went with them, but before they
reached the house the centurion sent some servants with the message
"Sir, I am not worthy to receive you into my house. This is why I
didn't come to you personally. Just say a word, and my servant will
be healed". When Jesus heard these words, he said to the
crowd following him
"I have not found faith as great as this man's". When the messengers got back to the house,
they saw that the servant was healed and in perfect health.
"Jesus, I am not worthy to receive
you. Say but the word and I shall be healed" (prayer
from Communion service)
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Two Roman soldiers are mentioned in today's readings .... and both are portrayed favourably by Luke. Roman occupation of the Holy Land was far from the worst occupation in human history. In fact some occupations of modern times (e.g. Japanese occupation of China and other places; Israeli occupation of the Gaza strip) make Roman occupation look good. Did any Japanese or Israeli captain ever build a place of worship for the occupied peoples?
--------------------------------------------------------
This
is a powerful article:
Britain has blood on its hands over Yemen
Britain’s
government is a key enabler of grotesque human rights abuses.
------------------------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of Love - on love in the family
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
299: Recording I
am in agreement with the many Synod Fathers who observed that “the baptized
who are divorced and civilly remarried need to be more fully integrated into
Christian communities in the variety of ways possible, while avoiding any
occasion of scandal.
The logic of integration is the key to their pastoral care, a care which would allow them not only to realize that they belong to the Church as the body of Christ, but also to know that they can have a joyful and fruitful experience in it.
They are baptized; they are brothers and sisters; the Holy Spirit pours into their hearts gifts and talents for the good of all.
Their participation can be expressed in different ecclesial services, which necessarily requires discerning which of the various forms of exclusion currently practised in the liturgical, pastoral, educational and institutional framework, can be surmounted.
Such persons need to feel not as excommunicated members of the Church, but instead as living members, able to live and grow in the Church and experience her as a mother who welcomes them always, who takes care of them with affection and encourages them along the path of life and the Gospel.
This integration is also needed in the care and Christian upbringing of their children, who ought to be considered most important”.
---------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
Today I
am reading Day 36 of this excellent little
book 40
Days of Pilgrimage with Pope Francis: Care for Our Common Home"
(used with permission)
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
270: Recording
Sometimes we are tempted to be that
kind of Christian who keeps the Lord’s wounds at arm’s length. Yet
Jesus wants us to touch human misery, to
touch the suffering flesh of others. He hopes that we will stop
looking for those personal or communal niches which
shelter us from the maelstrom of human misfortune and instead enter
into the reality of other people’s lives and know the power of tenderness.
Whenever we do so, our lives
become wonderfully (interconnected) and we
experience intensely what it is to be a people, to be
part of a people
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:
Sun:
Africa Mon:
Europe & Russia Tues:
South Asia
Wed: East
Asia Thurs:
S.E. Asia & Pacific
Frid: South
America Sat:
Central & North America
Jesus,
today, Friday,
please bless the people of South America
And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month: On this 10th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hubei
And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: On this 10th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea
And
praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday February 9
At the
end of last month I was in Dubai .... trying to get authorities there to give
more attention to the arrival of drugs in the transit lounge. I've just sent
this story to some special people I met in Dubai:
Police arrest man with heroin worth Sh10m in Mombasa
(...in shoes ...probably means....transit lounge of Dubai.....)
And
see also this story about a dear friend whom I met in January 2015 in Tanzania
and with whom I've remained in contact:
Tanzanian former anti-drugs boss offers counsel
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Exodus
34: Again Moses went up the mountain and
stood before God.
God described himself: "I am the Lord,
a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger,
rich in kindness and faithfulness." When Moses came down from the mountain
the skin on his face was radiant
after speaking with God.
Dear
God, we praise your tenderness and compassion
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
23: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I
shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path. He is true
to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me
comfort. You have prepared a banquet for me in the
sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil. My cup is overflowing. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life. In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever
and ever.
Thank you, Lord, for being my
good shepherd
Recording
Acts
21.1-14:
Our sea voyage took us to the city of
Caesarea. A prophet there took Paul's belt and used it to tie up his own
feet and hands,
as a sign of what would happen to Paul in Jerusalem. Everyone implored Paul not to go to
Jerusalem.
Paul replied "I am ready not only to be tied up,
but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus". And so we packed up and headed for Jerusalem.
Jesus, please give me a bit of Paul's courage
Recording
Luke
6.
46-49: In his teaching, Jesus said "Why do you call
me 'Lord', yet do not do what I ask you to do? Anyone who
comes to me and listens to my words
and puts them into practice is like a man who built his house on a solid
foundation. That house was so well
built that even floods could not damage it. But anyone who listens and does not put my
words into practice is like a man who built his house without a
foundation. As soon as floods came, the house collapsed"
Jesus, please help me put your words into
practice; help me apply them in my daily life
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of Love - on love in the family
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
298: Recording The
divorced who have entered a new union, for example, can find themselves in a
variety of situations, which should not be pigeonholed or fitted into overly
rigid classifications leaving no room for a suitable personal and pastoral
discernment.
One thing is a second union consolidated over time, with new children, proven fidelity, generous self giving, Christian commitment, a consciousness of its irregularity and of the great difficulty of going back without feeling in conscience that one would fall into new sins.
The Church acknowledges situations “where, for serious reasons, such as the children’s upbringing, a man and woman cannot satisfy the obligation to separate”.
There are also the cases of those who made every effort to save their first marriage and were unjustly abandoned, or of “those who have entered into a second union for the sake of the children’s upbringing, and are sometimes subjectively certain in conscience that their previous and irreparably broken marriage had never been valid”.
Another thing is a new union arising from a recent divorce, with all the suffering and confusion which this entails for children and entire families, or the case of someone who has consistently failed in his obligations to the family.
It must remain clear that this is not the ideal which the Gospel proposes for marriage and the family.
The Synod Fathers stated that the discernment of pastors must always take place “by adequately distinguishing”, with an approach which “carefully discerns situations”. We know that no “easy recipes” exist.
(Recording of this final part): In such situations, many people, knowing and accepting the possibility of living “as brothers and sisters” which the Church offers them, point out that if certain expressions of intimacy are lacking, “it often happens that faithfulness is endangered and the good of the children suffers”
---------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
Today I
am reading Day 35 of this excellent little
book 40
Days of Pilgrimage with Pope Francis: Care for Our Common Home"
(used with permission)
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
269b: Recording
Jesus’ sacrifice on the
cross is nothing else than the culmination of the
way he lived his entire life. Moved by his
example, we want to enter fully into the fabric of society, sharing the lives of
all, listening to their concerns, helping
them materially and spiritually in their needs, rejoicing
with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep;
arm in arm with others, we are committed to building a new
world. But we do so not from
a sense of obligation, not as a burdensome duty,
but as the result of a personal decision which brings us
joy and gives meaning to our lives.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
2007-02-09 Baby Ho at Rosa C's home....more good news; Fr Louis omi visiting Area C
------------------------------------------
Kind visitor yesterday offered to help me download
"The Prayer of the Church" ( ... priests' breviary ...) to my HuaWei
handheld. But when he searched for "Office" what he got was Microsoft
Office!
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:
Sun:
Africa Mon:
Europe & Russia Tues:
South Asia
Wed: East
Asia Thurs:
S.E. Asia & Pacific
Frid: South
America Sat:
Central & North America
Jesus,
today, Thursday,
please bless the people of South East Asia
And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month: On this 9th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Henan
And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: On this 9th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of the Central the Central African Republic
And
praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday,
please pacify Al-Qaeda
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday February 8
Yesterday morning I attended two application cases in the Court of Appeal (both were refused) then I joined a most encouraging group of friends - two lawyers, two prison visitors, a radio host and a fellow priest - to discuss the way forward for my anti-drug campaign ....with several developments on the horizon: the setting up of an NGO, the arranging of a GPO box for inmates to use, and the setting up of a more professional website arrangement ....to all of which I humbly and gratefully say: yes please! God bless these hopes and plans!
--------------------------------------------------------
Chris McDonnell (UK)
I make no apologies
for returning to the issues raised by the recent election of Donald Trump to the
Presidency of the
-------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus
33: The Israelites continued their journey
through the desert.
Wherever the people camped,
Moses would put the Sacred Tent outside,
some distance from the camp.
Whenever Moses went out to the Tent,
the pillar of cloud came down on the Tent
and God spoke with Moses face to face,
just like friends speak to each other.
The Israelites would go out to the Tent
for Moses to consult God for them.
Dear
God, thank you for your friendship
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
22: (Many
things in this psalm happened to Jesus when he was put to death. This psalm prophesizes Jesus' death)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
I call to you for help, but day and night you give no reply. I am a worm and not a man.
Everyone who sees me makes fun of me. They taunt me: "He trusted in the
Lord, why doesn't the Lord help him?" Like water I am poured out, my bones no longer
connected.
My throat is parched, my tongue sticks to my jaws. Many evil people attack me.
They make holes in my hands and my feet.
They await my death. They divide my clothing among them,
they throw a dice for my robe.
Yet I know Lord, that you are good and
holy.
I know how you heard the cries of our ancestors and you helped them. It was you who took me from the womb
and entrusted me to my mother's breast.
To you I was committed from my birth,
from my mother's womb you have been my God.
Lord, I trust in you even now. I trust you will not scorn my prayer. Even now I praise you as my Creator. May all the nations know and worship you.
Lord, please help people who
are in big trouble right now,
especially people whose lives are in danger
Recording
Acts
20.28-38: Paul continued "You elders are the
leaders of the Church of God.
Be on your guard against bad leaders trying to mislead people. Remember my example. I never asked anyone for
money or clothes. You know how my work as a tentmaker earned enough to
support my companions and me. Remember Jesus' words There is more
happiness in giving than in receiving". When he finished speaking, he knelt down with
them and prayed. Then they took him to the ship.
Jesus, please help Gospel workers imitate Paul
Recording
Luke
6.41-45:
In his teaching, Jesus said "Why do you
notice the splinter in someone else's eye, but don't notice the plank in
your own eye? Deal with your own faults before you start correcting
other people. A good tree does not produce bad fruit. A bad
tree does not produce good fruit. The fruit tells you what sort of tree it
came from. So with people: their words and actions tell
you what their heart is like - good or bad.
Jesus, please help me be a good person,
producing good fruit
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: When Jesus was on the Cross, Mary his mother stood near him ....which means the words of Psalm 22 had special meaning: "It was you who took me from the womb and entrusted me to my mother's breast. To you I was committed from my birth, from my mother's womb you have been my God"
--------------------------------------------------------
Teaching Empowerment: Prison Education in Kenya
Kenyan prison inmates learn how to read and write as well as gaining legal skills to represent themselves in court
-----------------------------------
This website's statistics
for December 2016
God bless all dear readers and
bloggers!
-------------------------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of Love - on love in the family
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
297: Recording It
is a matter of reaching out to everyone, of needing to help each person find his
or her proper way of participating in the ecclesial community and thus to
experience being touched by an “unmerited, unconditional and gratuitous”
mercy.
No one can be condemned for ever, because that is not the logic of the Gospel! Here I am not speaking only of the divorced and remarried, but of everyone, in whatever situation they find themselves.
Naturally, if someone flaunts an objective sin as if it were part of the Christian ideal, or wants to impose something other than what the Church teaches, he or she can in no way presume to teach or preach to others; this is a case of something which separates from the community (cf. Mt 18:17). Such a person needs to listen once more to the Gospel message and its call to conversion.
Yet even for that person there can be some way of taking part in the life of community, whether in social service, prayer meetings or another way that his or her own initiative, together with the discernment of the parish priest, may suggest.
As for the way of dealing with different “irregular” situations, the Synod Fathers reached a general consensus, which I support: “In considering a pastoral approach towards people who have contracted a civil marriage, who are divorced and remarried, or simply living together, the Church has the responsibility of helping them understand the divine pedagogy of grace in their lives and offering them assistance so they can reach the fullness of God’s plan for them”, something which is always possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.
---------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
Today I
am reading Day 34 of this excellent little
book 40
Days of Pilgrimage with Pope Francis: Care for Our Common Home"
(used with permission)
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
269a: Recording
Jesus himself is the model of
this method of evangelization which brings us to
the very heart of his people. How good it is
for us to contemplate the closeness which he shows to
everyone! If he speaks to someone, he looks
into their eyes with deep love and concern: “Jesus, looking upon him,
loved him” (Mk
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
2007-02-08 Visit to Xinqiao (+ Zhaoqing railway station)
------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
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 8th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Heilongjiang
And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: On this 8th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sierra Leone
And
praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
------------------------
My Africa trips:
2015 - Tanzania, Malawi 2016 - Kenya, Uganda
--------------------
Video: What "gay marriage" did to Massachusetts
--------------------------------------------
Pope's surprise visit to drug treatment centre
Pope is practising what he preaches: "get out and mix with the poor"
HK
readers might like to join me in praying each day for one group of HK
prison inmates: Sun:
Lo Wu; Mon: C.I.C., Siu Lam, Tai Lam; Tue: Stanley
Wed: Hei Ling Chau Thu: Lantau
Fri: Lai Chi Kok
Sat: Hospitals, Pik Uk & other centres
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This website was launched in construction
mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ
the King.
The official launching
was
held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20,
2012.
Map and Flag Counter began Feb 11, 2012. Previous visits 4,932.
Note: counter on this page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this
main/index page.
Visits to other pages are not recorded.
This site's 2016
statistics.
Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile (852) 6709 5674
China
mobile 13030213703 - out of
action for the time being
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
