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!
HK
Indon
Kenya
Nigeria
Phil
S.A.
S.Amer
Thail
Tanz
Ug
EU
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
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------
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)
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------
"An inexpressible tragedy":
Snowden
tweets support for HK asylum-seekers who sheltered him
---------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------
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".
-------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------
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)
-------------------------------------------------------
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
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
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------
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
She is the Mother of the Church which evangelizes, and without her we could never truly understand the spirit of the new evangelization.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
------------------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30pm
HK time tonight
- with messages about African inmates in HK prisons
-------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------
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...
------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
2007-02-25 My very first English class at Yunfu Seniors' Home
------------------------------------------
Check
the four types of menu available in HK prisons! - in this article:
An inside look at Donald Tsang’s life in Stanley Prison
--------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------
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")
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------
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"!
--------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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!)
--------------------------------------------------------
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
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
--------------------------------------------------------
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”.
---------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
We
stand in awe
The awe that comes to us in the presence of God is wordless
-------------------------------------------------------
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"
--------------------------------------------------------
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”.
---------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------
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
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!
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
2007-02-22 Visit to poor areas by Guangzhou Senior Two students Nancy and Rebecca
------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
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
---------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
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.
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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
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