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   

Links, Search & Archives     Imitating Pope Francis

          

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

 

Tuesday Feb 28

  This website aims to be "a voice for the poor" ...which is why my column in today's Ming Pao newspaper makes 3 requests of the Chief Executive candidates. See "Ming Pao", below.

 

  I read every word of this most encouraging report:
Pope urges humble path to unity in historic visit to Rome's Anglicans

 

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Numbers 1-5: A census was taken of all the men aged twenty years and above. The twelve tribes were told to pitch their tents all around the Sacred Tent site. Each time they moved to a new place and pitched their tents, they would do so in the place allocated to each tribe. 
Dear God, may our homes never be too far from a church

My recording of this reading

 

Psalms 47-48: All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy. For the Lord, our Creator, we must love and honor, great king over all the earth. Especially in his holy city is the Lord worthy to be praised. Praise is fitting in Mount Sion, our earth's most sacred site. O God, as we pray in your temple, our hearts meditate on your love. May peoples and rulers everywhere acknowledge and love you as Creator of the Universe.
Let all the peoples praise you, Lord. Let all the peoples praise you

Recording

 

Romans 1.8-16: I thank God for the way people everywhere speak of your faith. I never fail to mention you in my prayers. I pray for the opportunity to visit you if God wills. I long to see you to encourage you and to be encouraged by you. For I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power of God saving everyone who has faith, Jews first then everyone else. 
Jesus, help me to pray for others the way Paul prayed for others

Recording



Luke 10.1-9: Jesus appointed 72 disciples to go ahead of him in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them "The harvest is rich, but the laborers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to his harvest. When you go into a town, cure those in it who are sick, and say:  'The kingdom of God is very near to you' ". 
Jesus, please inspire more people to make the spreading of the Good News their life's work

Recording


Reflection on the above readings:
The ancient Jewish people had a great love for their sacred Temple. All peoples have a great love for their sacred buildings. God is everywhere and we can pray to him anywhere and at any time. But there's something special about a sacred place. A building dedicated to God is a special place of prayer, God's House. 

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My article in today's Ming Pao newspaper has the topic: Open letter to C.E. candidates. It 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 

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

316: Recording  A positive experience of family communion is a true path to daily sanctification and mystical growth, a means for deeper union with God. 

The fraternal and communal demands of family life are an incentive to growth in openness of heart and thus to an ever fuller encounter with the Lord.

 The word of God tells us that "the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness" (1 Jn 2:11); such a person "abides in death" (1 Jn 3:14) and "does not know God" (1 Jn 4:8). 

My predecessor Benedict XVI pointed out that "closing our eyes to our neighbour also blinds us to God", and that, in the end, love is the only light which can "constantly illuminate a world grown dim".

If only we "love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us" (1 Jn 4:12). 

Since "the human person has an inherent social dimension", and "the first and basic expression of that social dimension of the person is the married couple and the family", spirituality becomes incarnate in the communion of the family.

Hence, those who have deep spiritual aspirations should not feel that the family detracts from their growth in the life of the Spirit, but rather see it as a path which the Lord is using to lead them to the heights of mystical union.

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

20: Recording Some forms of pollution are part of people’s daily experience.

Exposure to atmospheric pollutants produces a broad spectrum of health hazards, especially for the poor, and causes millions of premature deaths.

People get sick, for example, from breathing high levels of smoke from fuels used in cooking or heating.

There is also pollution that affects everyone, caused by transport, industrial fumes, substances which contribute to the acidification of soil and water, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and agrotoxins in general.

Technology, which, linked to business interests, is presented as the only way of solving these problems, in fact proves incapable of seeing the mysterious network of relations between things, and so sometimes solves one problem only to create others

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

286a: Recording  Mary was able to turn a stable into a home for Jesus, with poor swaddling clothes and an abundance of love. 

She is the handmaid of the Father who sings his praises.

She is the friend who is ever concerned that wine not be lacking in our lives. 

She is the woman whose heart was pierced by a sword and who understands all our pain. 

As mother of all, she is a sign of hope for peoples suffering the birth pangs of justice. 

She is the missionary who draws near to us and accompanies us throughout life, opening our hearts to faith by her maternal love.

As a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares our struggles and she constantly surrounds us with God’s love.

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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 10th 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, today, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

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Monday Feb 27

  Last week I watched this inspiring YouTube:
Facing the Canon 
- A fascinating insight into the life of a remarkable leader and world changer, Nicky Gumbel (...Alpha Course...)

 

  In the pipeline of a concerned group in Kowloon: a rented flat for homeless people who sleep each night at McDonald's
 

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Leviticus 26-27: God's words through Moses: "If you  keep my commandments I will bless you in every way: you will have rain at the right time, the earth shall give its produce, your land will know peace, you will be fruitful and multiply, I will be in your midst: I will be your God and you shall be my people. 
But if you ignore my words and break my commandments: you will have no peace, there will be no rain, the earth shall not yield its produce, sickness and pestilence will afflict you, you will be scattered among the nations".

Dear God,  please help us to keep your commandments

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 46: God is for us a refuge and strength, in time of distress he is a helper close at hand. Therefore we shall not fear even though the earth should rock, even though the mountains fall into the sea. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come and consider the works of the Lord and always remember his words: "Be still and know that I am God". 
Lord, help us to be more aware of your presence, especially when we are in trouble.
Recording

 

Romans 1.1-7: From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, who has been called to be an apostle, and specially chosen to preach the Good News. This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took, was a descendant of David. This news is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, by his resurrection from the dead, proved he was the Son of God. From him I received my mission to preach the obedience of faith to non-Jewish nations. You are one of these nations. You belong to Jesus Christ. To you who are God's beloved friends in Rome, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give grace and peace.
Jesus, Son of God,  may all nations know and love you

Recording


Luke 9.51-58: When the time came for Jesus to finish his life on earth, he resolutely took the road to Jerusalem. As Jesus and his disciples traveled along, they met a man who said to him "I will follow you wherever you go". Jesus replied "Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but I have nowhere to lay my head". 
Jesus, give me  courage to do what I should do.

Recording

 

Reflection on the above readings:

A Mighty Fortress is our God (YouTube)

Be Still and Know that I am God (YouTube)

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

315: Recording  The Lord's presence dwells in real and concrete families, with all their daily troubles and struggles, joys and hopes.

Living in a family makes it hard for us to feign or lie; we cannot hide behind a mask. 

If that authenticity is inspired by love, then the Lord reigns there, with his joy and his peace.

The spirituality of family love is made up of thousands of small but real gestures. 

In that variety of gifts and encounters which deepen communion, God has his dwelling place. 

This mutual concern "brings together the human and the divine", for it is filled with the love of God.

In the end, marital spirituality is a spirituality of the bond, in which divine love dwells.

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"An inexpressible tragedy": 
Snowden tweets support for HK asylum-seekers who sheltered him

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

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.  

Recording

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

285: Recording  The close connection between Mary, the Church and each member of the faithful, based on the fact that each in his or her own way brings forth Christ, has been beautifully expressed by Blessed Isaac of Stella:  "In the inspired Scriptures, what is said in a universal sense of the virgin mother, the Church, is understood in an individual sense of the Virgin Mary...  In a way, every Christian is also believed to be a bride of God's word, a mother of Christ, his daughter and sister, at once virginal and fruitful... Christ dwelt for nine months in the tabernacle of Mary's womb. He dwells until the end of the ages in the tabernacle of the Church's faith. He will dwell forever in the knowledge and love of each faithful soul".

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10 years ago today:

2007-02-27 Prayers please for A-Pui.....cancer on face/neck

2007-02-27 Lunar New Year meal for staff from various centers, with guests Betty M, Garth and Joe

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This has to be one of the best cartoons for a while (from SCMP)
Background: HK former Chief Executive Donald Tsang is now in prison because he gave a radio licence to a businessman who  arranged the renovation/decoration of Donald's house in Shenzhen.

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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, today,
Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Sunday Feb 26

   Good news from Lesotho:
Women in Africa released from prison
- many thanks to HK friends who made their release possible.

  And good news from Hong Kong:
Woo Kwok-hing hits nominations target for CE race
This is my "horse" ... he's the one who cares about the poor. Jesus, please bless him!
(Photos of Mr Woo at our Sunday night gathering for the poor, last Dec 11)

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Sunday 8

Isaiah 46-49: The Lord called me before I was born. From my mother's womb he knew my name. While I was thinking that I had toiled in vain, all the while my cause was with the Lord. The Lord who formed me in the womb and assigned me to rescue his people, that same Lord  said to me: 'I will make you the light of the nations, so that my salvation will reach to the ends of the earth'. The Lord also says to his people: "Does a woman forget her baby, or a mother the child within her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you".
Lord, please help me understand how you loved me even before I was born.

My recording of this reading


Psalms 61-65: O God, hear my cry, you who are my refuge and help. In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you. Take refuge in God, everyone in trouble. Trust him at all times. 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. You are the Creator of the world. You care for the earth, you give it water. To you our praise is due, wherever we are on earth.
Lord, my soul clings to you. Your right hand holds me fast

Recording

1 Corinthians 4.15-19: You now have many people teaching you about Christ, but remember that it was I who introduced you to Jesus and his Good News. Imitate my example, the way I live the Christian life.
Jesus, help me be a good example to other people

Recording


Matthew 6.25-34: 
Jesus said to the crowds that life is about more than food and clothing. 
Pointing to some birds flying around, Jesus said: Look at the birds. They don't sow or reap,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are more precious than the birds. Pointing to flowers in the field Jesus said: How beautiful are the flowers. They are more beautiful than King Solomon's clothing. If God cares so much about the life of flowers won't he care even more about human life? So, don't spend your day worrying about what you are going to eat and drink and wear. Put God first in your life, God and a right way of life, then  God will look after your physical needs.
Don't waste your energy worrying about tomorrow. Live life one day at a time.
Heavenly Father, thank you for caring for the birds and flowers....and me!
Recording

 

 Reflection on the above readings: 

Speaking to very poor people, people struggling to get enough food for each day,
people living under a harsh Roman occupation,
Jesus did not say "fight the Romans".
He did not say "use violence to obtain justice".

He did not say try to win money at a casino.
He did not say steal from the rich.

He did not tell people to focus on external circumstances.

Rather, Jesus challenged poor people
- to avoid greed and to increase compassion. 
- to avoid lust and show mercy. 
- to avoid aggression and practise forgiveness.

Jesus told the poor to concentrate on basic human values, to put internal values first,
to focus on internal circumstances as a way of improving themselves and their world.

Jesus once made this incredible statement, spoken to poor and needy people:  
"Stop worrying so much about food and clothing. Put God's values first, then food and clothing will not be a problem."  
This is a revolutionary statement. 

- from Good News for the Poor, pp 4-5

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

314: Recording  A spirituality of supernatural communion: 
We have always spoken of how God dwells in the hearts of those living in his grace. Today we can add that the Trinity is present in the temple of marital communion. Just as God dwells in the praises of his people (cf. Ps 22:3), so he dwells deep within the marital love that gives him glory.

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

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.

Recording

 

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

284: Recording  With the Holy Spirit, Mary is always present in the midst of the people. 

She joined the disciples in praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14 ) and thus made possible the missionary outburst which took place at Pentecost. 

She is the Mother of the Church which evangelizes, and without her we could never truly understand the spirit of the new evangelization.



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10 years ago today:

2007-02-26: Simone about to leave Marco Polo for No. 2 Hospital........+ welcome back Joe
..+ thank you CAS for kind donation of clothes

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Hour of Love HK radio program 8.30pm HK time tonight
- with messages about African inmates in HK prisons 

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When I was in secondary school, about year 9-10, I remember how I'd spend lots of homework time on difficult mathematical problems....until I found the answer. Fifty something years later I'm now spending lots of time on computer problems...trying to find answers. So...please be patient as the format of this little website keeps changing.

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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 26th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Xinjiang

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 26th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Togo

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

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Saturday Feb 25

"Live outside whenever possible. Sun and air are My great healing forces, with that inward Joy which changes poisoned blood to a pure healthy life-giving flow" (God Calling, Feb 23)

 
Aussie nun farewells Bangkok slums

After a long day at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre yesterday, followed by a visit to a lawyer's office to sign an affidavit for a High Court case next Tuesday, followed by time with asylum seekers, then a brief look at 9 items which arrived in yesterday's mail (all but one from inmates), then a recording for Ming Pao newspaper, then a few out of 30 pending emails, then this website ....I had no trouble sleeping last night

My monthly prayer meeting for the sick will be 3pm to 5pm tomorrow, Sunday, at St Paul's Catholic Primary School, YMT (5/F, room behind chapel). Everyone most welcome.

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Leviticus 24-25: God's words through Moses: "Every seventh year your land is to have a rest, a sabbath for the Lord. Every fifty years will be a Year of Jubilee: no sowing, no harvesting, a time for freeing slaves".
Dear God, please help us understand and keep your word
 
My recording of this reading

 

Psalms 42-45: Like a deer that longs for running streams, so my soul is longing for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for you, the God of my life. I think of you all the time, here in my land of exile. People make fun of us here in exile. They taunt us saying "Where is your God?" Yet no matter what happens we will hope in you, for you are our saviour and our God. No matter where we are or what happens to us, our hearts will long for you, like a bride longing for her groom.
Lord, no matter what happens, may I always hope in you

Recording

 

 

Acts 28.17-31: Not long after his arrival in Rome, Paul had a meeting with a large number of Jews. The meeting went from early morning until evening. Paul talked to them about the kingdom of God. He tried to help them believe in Jesus. Some accepted Jesus. Paul was in detention for two years, in his own rented house. He welcomed everyone who came to visit him.  With boldness and without hindrance, he taught people about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus, thank you for the Acts of the Apostles. May I help more people know and love you, like Paul
Recording

 

Luke 9.28-36: One day Jesus took his disciples Peter, James and John up a high mountain to pray. On the mountain, while Jesus was praying, his whole appearance changed. His clothes became brilliant as lightning. The prophets Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus. 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". When the voice had finished speaking, the disciples saw only Jesus in his normal appearance.
Jesus, Beloved Son of God, how good it is to spend time with you in prayer.

Recording

 

Reflection on the above readings:
Whenever we spend a few minutes of Bible reading, we are like the soldier spending time with St Paul ...and like the apostles on the mountain...or, we can even say, like a bride/groom seeking their spouse

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

313: Recording  Charity takes on different hues, depending on the state of life to which we have been called. 

Several decades ago, in speaking of the lay apostolate, the Second Vatican Council emphasized the spirituality born of family life. 

The Council stated that lay spirituality "will take its particular character from the circumstances of… married and family life”, and that "family cares should not be foreign” to that spirituality.

It is worth pausing to describe certain basic characteristics of this specific spirituality that unfolds in family life and its relationships.

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

 16. Recording:   ... 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...

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

283: Recording  The great men and women of God were great intercessors.  Intercession is like a "leaven” in the heart of the Trinity. It is a way of penetrating the Father’s heart and discovering new dimensions which can shed light on concrete situations and change them.  We can say that God’s heart is touched by our intercession, yet in reality he is always there first. What our intercession achieves is that his power, his love and his faithfulness are shown ever more clearly in the midst of the people.

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10 years ago today:

2007-02-25 My very first English class at Yunfu Seniors' Home

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Check the four types of menu available in HK prisons! - in this article:
An inside look at Donald Tsang’s life in Stanley Prison

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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 25th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Ningxia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Comoros

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

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Friday Feb 24

   Immoral . That's the only word to describe HK's fiscal reserves - now at HK$935 billion (US$120 billion)....not decreased (from previous HK$917 billion) but increased by the government's annual budget just announced.

HK government has terrible reputation of lack of concern for the poor ....like the hundreds of homeless people who sleep at McDonald's every night. Well, if government and Church won't/can't do anything, maybe ordinary people can ....which is why 3 concerned people joined me last night at McDonald's in Jordan for a meal with 5 homeless people who sleep at that very restaurant. Meal followed an inspection by the group of 4 of a vacant flat in Temple Street that maybe can be rented as a home for the McDonald's group.

Meal at McDonald's for 5 homeless people (who sleep at McDonald's)

More good news from Tanzania:
Police seize 'most wanted' suspected drug trafficker
Notice the words: "Kiboko's name appeared in the famous letter..." referring to this letter published by v2catholic.com

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here    
  Readings are from Simple Bible

Leviticus 21-23: God's words through Moses:

"Regard the priests as holy, for they offer holy sacrifice.

Keep the sacred festivals:
- every Sabbath
- the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread
- the First Sheaf
- the Feast of Weeks
- the first day of the seventh month
- the Day of Atonement
- the Feast of Tabernacles".

Dear God, thank you for special worship days and seasons 

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 41: Blessed the person who helps the poor and the weak. He himself will be helped by the Lord when he is sick and in trouble. The Lord will help him on his bed of pain. The Lord will bring him back from sickness to health.
Lord, please help me to do more for the poor

Recording

 

Acts 28.11-16: After three months we set sail in a ship going to Italy. Our trip took us to Syracuse, Rhegium and Puteoli before we arrived in Rome. Believers in Rome heard of Paul's arrival and came to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God with all his heart. Paul was allowed to stay in lodgings of his own, with a soldier to guard him. Jesus, thank you helping Paul reach Rome safely. Thank you for protecting me on all my journeys  
Recording


Luke 9. 22-26: Jesus now began explaining to his disciples how he would suffer, die and rise from the dead. He also said "If you want to be my disciple, you must deny yourself, take up your own cross, and follow me. Selfishness will ruin your life. Self-sacrificing will bless your life. What use is it to have everything in this world yet miss out on Heaven?"
Jesus, please help me find my life by losing it in service of others

Recording

 

Reflection on the above Bible readings:
Several decades ago, former Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies reflected: "What we need is not some economist's theory but a great mood of unselfishness" (to go with Jesus' words, above, "selfishness will ruin your life")

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

 312: Recording  This offers us a framework and a setting which help us avoid a cold bureaucratic morality in dealing with more sensitive issues. 

Instead, it sets us in the context of a pastoral discernment filled with merciful love, which is ever ready to understand, forgive, accompany, hope, and above all integrate. 

That is the mindset which should prevail in the Church and lead us to "open our hearts to those living on the outermost fringes of society”.

I encourage the faithful who find themselves in complicated situations to speak confidently with their pastors or with other lay people whose lives are committed to the Lord.

They may not always encounter in them a confirmation of their own ideas or desires, but they will surely receive some light to help them better understand their situation and discover a path to personal growth.

I also encourage the Church’s pastors to listen to them with sensitivity and serenity, with a sincere desire to understand their plight and their point of view, in order to help them live better lives and to recognize their proper place in the Church.

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

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.

Recording

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

282: Recording  

This attitude becomes a prayer of gratitude to God for others. "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you” (Rom 1:8). It is constant thankfulness: "I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor 1:4); "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (Phil 1:3).

Far from being suspicious, negative and despairing, it is a spiritual gaze born of deep faith which acknowledges what God is doing in the lives of others

At the same time, it is the gratitude which flows from a heart attentive to others. When evangelizers rise from prayer, their hearts are more open; freed of self-absorption, they are desirous of doing good and sharing their lives with others.


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10 years ago today:
2007-02-24 Saturday: Yum Cha after morning English - thank you Jimmy & group; evening English Corner - thank you Norma Jean & Jingle

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 Yesterday at Shek Pik Prison on Lantau Island (...a long trip from my home in Temple Street...) I visited the last of the 27 inmates in HK whose families I met last month in Southern Africa. Has been a happy experience sharing about the meetings/photos/maps/recordings etc. But as my dear old Dad used to say when he came to the final item in any job: "That's the one I was looking for"!

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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, today, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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Thursday February 23

Yesterday I finally got round to processing some photos from Zambia last month:

   January 26 - Lusaka: radio station, parish church, "BECs"

   Also uploaded yesterday - some extra videos and an English transcript made by the Special Assignment team for their recent program which featured my visit to South Africa: Here (click "Show more" to access link to transcript....not often one hears a Drug Lady talking shop!)

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here    
  Readings are from Simple Bible

Leviticus 19: God's words through Moses: "Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy. Honor your father and mother. The Sabbath must be a holy day. When you collect from harvest or vine, leave something for the poor and the stranger. Be just, honest and truthful in your relationships. Do not let hatred live in your heart".
Dear God, please help me live according to your sacred word

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 40: I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me. He heard my cry. He saved me from distress. He put fresh hope into my heart. How many, O Lord my God, are the times you have helped me. They are too many for me to describe. My God, in the depth of my heart I delight in your law. You do not want external offerings. You want my heart.
Lord, I offer you my heart, my love. You deserve all my love

Recording

 

Acts 28.1-10:  We were on the island of Malta. The local people were really kind to us. They made us welcome. They lit a huge fire because the weather was cold and rain was falling. Paul collected a bundle of sticks and was putting them on the fire, when a snake bit his hand and held on. The locals expected him to die. But he just shook the snake into the fire. He was ok. The local Roman governor kindly gave us hospitality for three days. The governor's father was very sick in bed with fever and dysentery. He was healed when Paul prayed for him with the laying on of hands. Word of the healing got around fast, and soon everyone on the island who was sick, came and got healed.
Jesus, please bless the people of Malta

Recording

Acts27-28map-01.jpg (85858 bytes) 

Luke 9.18-21: One day Jesus asked his disciples "Who do people say I am?" The disciples replied "Some people say you are one of the famous prophets come back to life". Jesus then asked them "And what about you. Who do you say I am?" Peter answered "You are the Anointed One of God"
Jesus, please help more and more people know you and love you

Recording

Reflection on the above Bible readings:
Praying for healing of the sick played a big part in the life of Saint Paul ...just as it did in the life of Jesus....just as it should in the life of the Church in every place and time

  

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

311: Recording  The teaching of moral theology should not fail to incorporate these considerations, for although it is quite true that concern must be shown for the integrity of the Church’s moral teaching, special care should always be shown to emphasize and encourage the highest and most central values of the Gospel, particularly the primacy of charity as a response to the completely gratuitous offer of God’s love. 

At times we find it hard to make room for God’s unconditional love in our pastoral activity.

We put so many conditions on mercy that we empty it of its concrete meaning and real significance. 

That is the worst way of watering down the Gospel.

It is true, for example, that mercy does not exclude justice and truth, but first and foremost we have to say that mercy is the fullness of justice and the most radiant manifestation of God’s truth.

For this reason, we should always consider "inadequate any theological conception which in the end puts in doubt the omnipotence of God and, especially, his mercy”.

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

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)

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   Police urged to probe claims that Sri Lankan investigators came to HK to find asylum seekers who sheltered Snowden

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

281: Recording  One form of prayer moves us particularly to take up the task of evangelization and to seek the good of others: it is the prayer of intercession.  Let us peer for a moment into the heart of Saint Paul , to see what his prayer was like. It was full of people: "Every time I pray for all of you I pray with joy......You have a permanent place in my heart” (Phil 1:4, 7).  Here we see that intercessory prayer does not divert us from true contemplation, since authentic contemplation always has a place for others.

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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 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: On this 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Djibouti

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

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Wednesday February 22

  Healed of cancer:
Testimony of Alex Cheung
(I have invited Alex to attend my monthly prayer meeting for the sick, this coming Sunday Feb 26, at St Paul's Yau Ma Tei)

  South African police deaths ... and drug link

  Gary Everett: None of us knows
Accompanying someone into death is an experience that many of us have shared. Some people do it daily as part of their work or ministry. I know the journey personally. A little over a year ago I lost my wife to brain cancer.

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  Chris McDonnell

We stand in awe
The awe that comes to us in the presence of God is wordless

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Leviticus 18:  Do not marry a close relative. Do not have sex during time of menstruation. Do not practise sodomy. Do not have sex with an animal.
Dear God, please help us to respect the gift of sex

My recording of this reading

 

Psalms 38-39: O Lord, please forgive my sins and heal me. Heal my body which is sick because of my sins. Protect me, Lord, from those who gloat over me now that I am brought low and unable to help myself. Lord, you have shown me how short a time I have on earth. Lord, give me wisdom of heart to live my life better.
Lord, help us understand the meaning of life

Recording

 

Acts 27.39-44: The next day they could see land: a bay with a beach. They tried to reach the beach, but the ship ran aground on a reef and began to break up. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to stop them from escaping, but Julius would not allow this. Some people swam. Some used pieces of wreckage. All of them got to shore safely
Jesus,  help people in danger of shipwreck today
Recording

 


Luke 9.10-17: Once after Jesus had been healing and teaching all afternoon,  his disciples said to him "It's getting late and the people need to go and eat". Jesus answered "They don't need to go. You feed them". The disciples replied "We have only 5 loaves and 2 fish". Jesus got the people to sit on the grass. There were about 20,000 of them. Then he blessed the loaves and fish. He handed the loaves and fish to his disciples. Everyone had plenty to eat. They even had 12 baskets of leftovers.
Jesus, please make leaders do more to help the starving people of the world

  Recording

 

 

Reflection on the above readings: 
"Loaves and fish spirituality" .... e.g. when we pray to Jesus for someone who is sick ....say at the end: "Jesus, please bless my little prayer just as you blessed the loaves and fish"

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

310: Recording  We cannot forget that "mercy is not only the working of the Father; it becomes a criterion for knowing who his true children are. In a word, we are called to show mercy because mercy was first shown to us”.

This is not sheer romanticism or a lukewarm response to God’s love, which always seeks what is best for us, for "mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness which she shows to believers; nothing in her preaching and her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy”.

It is true that at times "we act as arbiters of grace rather than its facilitators.

But the Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems”.

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

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

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

280: Recording   Keeping our missionary fervour alive calls for firm trust in the Holy Spirit, for it is he who "helps us in our weakness” (Rom 8:26 ). But this generous trust has to be nourished, and so we need to invoke the Spirit constantly. He can heal whatever causes us to flag in the missionary endeavour.

 It is true that this trust in the unseen can cause us to feel disoriented: it is like being plunged into the deep and not knowing what we will find. I myself have frequently experienced this. 

Yet there is no greater freedom than that of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, renouncing the attempt to plan and control everything to the last detail, and instead letting him enlighten, guide and direct us, leading us wherever he wills.

The Holy Spirit knows well what is needed in every time and place. This is what it means to be mysteriously fruitful!

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10 years ago today:

2007-02-22 Visit to poor areas by Guangzhou Senior Two students Nancy and Rebecca

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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, today,
Wednesday, please pacify
Al-Shabaab 

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    My Africa trips: 
2015 - Tanzania, Malawi
       2016 - Kenya, Uganda

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Video: What "gay marriage" did to Massachusetts

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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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 Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡 頌 恆 神 父   
 jdwomi@gmail.com  HK mobile  (852) 6709 5674
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