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
Tues June 20
(Heartless)
HK govt spares elderly woman over cardboard sale
(she was arrested for selling some
cardboard to a domestic helper for HK$1.00 ...domestic helpers sit on such
cardboard on Sundays in public walkways ...not enough places in parks
etc).
Karma Comes Back Around for Man who Broke Religious Rule to
Help Boy
My article in today's Ming Pao newspaper has the topic: Where will same-sex marriage take HK? 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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The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1 Samuel 9-10:
Among the men of the tribe of Benjamin
there was a very tall and very handsome man named Saul. Once when he went in search of his father's
stray donkeys,
he met up with Samuel. The Lord had told Samuel that he would meet
Saul,
and that he should be anointed as king. And so Samuel took some oil and poured it on
Saul's head.
He told Saul that the Lord had chosen him to be king. Samuel presented Saul to the people.
The people acclaimed Saul saying "Long live the king!"
Dear Lord, please protect and
guide all people in authority
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
19 (sun + law = the "sun-in-law"
psalm): The heavens proclaim the glory of God,
the starry skies are the work of his hands. The stars can't speak, but they are
God's handwriting.
The sun is God's love shining on the whole world.
The universe is a masterpiece, and so is God's
law
which shines in our hearts.
The precepts of the Lord enlighten our lives
each day.
The law of the Lord gives joy and wisdom to our hearts. The decrees of the Lord are to be desired more
than gold,
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. But often we are unaware of our
errors.
Lord, please protect us from making mistakes.
Lord, may the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you
Recording
Ephesians
6.10-17: To resist the Devil's tactics, put on God's
armor: the belt of truth; the breastplate of integrity; the shoes of eagerness to spread the Good News of peace;
the shield of faith; the helmet of salvation; the sword of God's word.
Jesus, help me put on these six pieces
of armor
John
15.9-13: At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples
"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love
by keeping my commandments, especially this commandment:
love one another, as I
have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay
down his life for his friends".
Jesus, thank you for loving us. Help us
to love one another as you have loved us
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings:
Throughout history there have been heroic people who died that
others might live. According to Jesus such people displayed the greatest love
that human beings are capable of. We may not get such a chance, but we can
"die" the "daily death" of offering up our lives and actions
and sufferings as a prayer to help others.
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text
Full Chinese text
103: Recording: Technoscience, when well directed, can produce important means of improving the quality of human life, from useful domestic appliances to great transportation systems, bridges, buildings and public spaces.
It can also produce art and enable men and women immersed in the material world to "leap" into the world of beauty.
Who can deny the beauty of an aircraft or a skyscraper?
Valuable works of art and music now make use of new technologies.
So, in the beauty intended by the one who uses new technical instruments and in the contemplation of such beauty, a quantum leap occurs, resulting in a fulfilment which is uniquely human.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
102: Recording
Lay people are, put
simply, the vast majority of the people of God. The minority - ordained
ministers - are at their service.
There has been a growing awareness of the identity and mission of the laity in the Church. We can count on many lay persons, although still not nearly enough, who have a deeply-rooted sense of community and great fidelity to the tasks of charity, catechesis and the celebration of the faith.
At the same time, a clear awareness of this responsibility of the laity, grounded in their baptism and confirmation, does not appear in the same way in all places.
In some cases, it is because lay persons have not been given the formation needed to take on important responsibilities. In others, it is because in their particular Churches room has not been made for them to speak and to act, due to an excessive clericalism which keeps them away from decision-making.
Even if many are now involved in the lay ministries, this involvement is not reflected in a greater influence of Christian values in the social, political and economic sectors. It often remains tied to tasks within the Church, without a real commitment to applying the Gospel to the transformation of society.
The formation of the laity and the evangelization of professional and intellectual life represent a significant pastoral challenge.
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As I returned to Temple Street from a meeting on HK Island
with some lawyers yesterday, I saw a pop-star type man being followed along the
street by dozens of young women with cameras....then I saw why: they were
shooting a movie (not uncommon in this area)
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N 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 20th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Gambia
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
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Mon June 19
Last night's weekly gathering for the poor at St Paul's Yau Ma Tei had some special visitors: a group of about a dozen handicapped people from a centre on HK Island. The visitors not only entertained the regulars with musical and other items but also helped serve meals to them. A remarkable evening. Thank you Jesus!
Little
HK girl with huge voice wows US talent show.
In case you missed her previous video:
You
Raise Me Up
Letter in Swahili from a Kenyan
woman in HK for drug trafficking - here
(June 14). I have posted this letter, at the woman's request, at East Africa's
biggest blog, Jamii Forums - here
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The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Samuel 8:
When Samuel grew old, the people asked him to
find someone
to be their king. Samuel was not happy that the people asked for
a king.
Samuel also warned the people that a king would impose taxes
and have many rights over them. But the people insisted on having a king.
The Lord then told Samuel to give the people a king.
Dear God, you are our only true
King
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
17-18: Lord, when trouble breaks out on every
side,
please protect and help me. For you are my strength, my rock, my fortress,
my savior.
I love you, Lord who save me because you love me. Lord, you are my lamp who lightens my life.
I will praise you among the nations.
Lord, you are worthy of
all praise
Recording
Ephesians
6.1-9:
Children, be obedient to your parents.
Parents, never drive your children to resentment. Slaves, respect your employers.
Employers, treat your workers fairly.
Jesus, please help me treat everyone with
respect
Recording
John
15.1-8: At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Each branch in me
that bears no fruit, he cuts off. Each branch that does bear fruit, he
prunes to make it bear even more fruit. As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but
must remain part of the vine, so you can't bear fruit unless you remain
in me. Cut off from me, you can do nothing. If you remain in me, and my words are alive in
your heart, you can ask for any good thing and you will get it. It is to the glory of my Father that you
should bear much fruit".
Jesus, please help me stay close to you. Help me bear
much fruit
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings:
When
Jesus says we can ask for anything, he means "any good thing"
.....which is what Samuel was concerned about in the first reading ....he
thought asking for a king was not a good thing. So how can we know what is
good and not good? One way is to toss the problem back to the Lord by saying
"if it is ok with you"!
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Laudato
Si at 2 - Have Francis' words been taken seriously?
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
102b: Recording
The modification of nature
for useful purposes has distinguished the human family from the beginning;
technology itself "expresses the inner tension that impels man gradually to
overcome material limitations".
Technology has remedied countless evils which used to harm and limit human beings.
How can we not feel gratitude and appreciation for this progress, especially in the fields of medicine, engineering and communications?
How could we not acknowledge the work of many scientists and engineers who have provided alternatives to make development sustainable?
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
101: Recording
Let us ask the Lord to help us understand the law of
love.
How good it is to have this law!
How much good it does us to love one another, in spite of everything.
Yes, in spite of everything!
Saint Paul's exhortation is directed to each of us: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom 12:21).
And again: "Let us not grow weary in doing what is right" (Gal 6:9).
We all have our likes and dislikes, and perhaps at this very moment we are angry with someone.
At least let us say to the Lord: "Lord, I am angry with this person, with that person. I pray to you for him and for her".
To pray for a person with whom I am irritated is a beautiful step forward in love, and an act of evangelization.
Let us do it today!
Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the ideal of fraternal love!
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
------------------------------------------
Yesterday
morning I went to McDonald's for my usual cup of green tea after Mass at St
Paul's, YMT (...I deliberatively give business to McDs because they allow
homeless people to stay overnight...). The place was unusually crowded ...lots
of domestic helpers (not able to sit out in open spaces as they usually do).
So I realised that at McDonald's wet weather is good for business!
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N. 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 19th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanxi
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 19th of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sudan
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
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Sun June 18
Feast of the Body & Blood of Christ:
In a world which has so many problems.... at a time of so many uncertainties...with so many groups pushing anti-life values...when we often feel so weak and helpless... it is good for us if we have the chance to often spend some time in silent prayer before Jesus in the tabernacle. No need to say much....just a word of praise ....quiet awareness of Jesus' presence....a reflection with Jesus on the day's Bible readings....a few prayers for special needs....a final prayer of thanks and praise. Yes, we can pray anywhere and at any time. But ten minutes spent before a tabernacle is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, our families, our nation, our world. May today's Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ give us the motivation to often visit a church for prayer.
This article has relevance to many countries:
Press
Gang (George
Monbiot):The
media was exposed in this election as wildly out of touch with the nation. This
is not surprising, as it lives in a hall of mirrors
Letter in Portuguese from a Brazilian
inmate in prison in HK for drug trafficking - here
(June 6)
-------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for feast of the Body & Blood of Christ
Deuteronomy 8: Moses continued his
speech to the people:
"Remember how the Lord your God
led you for 40 years in the wilderness,
to humble you, to test you, to know your inmost heart
- whether you would keep his commandments or not.
He humbled you, he fed you with manna,
to make you understand that we do not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Learn from this that the Lord your God was training you
as a man trains his child.
Keep the commandments of the Lord your God.
Follow his ways and reverence him.
When you become prosperous in the land that God is giving you,
do not become proud and say your own efforts have brought you success.
Take care and do not forget the Lord your God."
Dear
Lord, don't let me ever forget all you have done for me
Psalm
116: I love the Lord for he has heard the cry of
my appeal.
He turned his ear to me in the day when I called him. They surrounded me, sorrow, distress and the
snares of death.
I was helpless, so the Lord saved me. Calm down my soul, for the Lord has been good.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to
me?
The cup of salvation I will raise to thank the Lord. O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the
death of his faithful.
Lord, you have loosened my bonds. I am your servant.
Thank you, Lord, for all your
goodness to me
1
Corinthians 10.16 - 11.1: The cup that we bless is a communion with the
blood of Christ.
The bread that we break is a communion with the body of Christ. Avoid anything to do with idol worship.
It doesn't make sense to share in the table of the Lord and in the table
of demons. Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever
you do at all,
do it for the glory of God. Never do anything offensive to anyone. Try to
be helpful to everyone at all times, not anxious for your own advantage,
but for the advantage of others, so that they may be saved. Take me for your model, as I take Christ.
Jesus, please help me imitate you in my daily
life
Recording
John
6.52-58: The people said among themselves
"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus replied "If you refuse to eat
my flesh , and drink my blood, you will not have life in
you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life. For my flesh is real food, and my blood is
real drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and
I live in them. As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself
draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me. This is the bread come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever".
Jesus, thank you for the gift of your Body and
Blood
in Holy Communion
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
Pope Francis: "The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but medicine for the sick"
Video commentary on today's readings - in Spanish with English subtitles
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
102a: Recording
Humanity has entered a new era in which our
technical prowess has brought us to a crossroads.
We are the beneficiaries of two centuries of enormous waves of change: steam engines, railways, the telegraph, electricity, automobiles, aeroplanes, chemical industries, modern medicine, information technology and, more recently, the digital revolution, robotics, biotechnologies and nanotechnologies.
It is right to rejoice in these advances and to be excited by the immense possibilities which they continue to open up before us, for "science and technology are wonderful products of a God-given human creativity"
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
100: Recording
Those wounded by historical
divisions find it difficult to accept our invitation to forgiveness and
reconciliation, since they think that we are ignoring their pain or are asking
them to give up their memory and ideals.
But if they see the witness of authentically fraternal and reconciled communities, they will find that witness luminous and attractive.
It always pains me greatly to discover how some Christian
communities, and even consecrated persons, can tolerate different forms of
enmity, division, calumny, defamation, vendetta, jealousy and the desire to
impose certain ideas at all costs, even to persecutions which appear as
veritable witch hunts. Whom are we going to evangelize if
this is the way we act?
-------------------------------------
Daniel Daring - Year with Matthew - 26:
--------------
10
years ago today:
------------------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------------------
Last
Friday when I was on the Metro going home from Lai Chi Kok prison, I noticed an
advertisement on the train which had an elephant ....which looked like a map of
Africa. So I just found this:
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., N 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 18th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shandong
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 18th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Ivory Coast
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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Sat June 17
Yesterday in my six hour visit to Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (..men's prison..) a topic of conversation that came up with a number of staff was the big increase in the number of asylum seekers going to prison. Most of them arrested for working illegally or for small theft charges. Which is what people do when they haven't got enough money to survive. I just hope the incoming HK administration (July 1) will have more brains/compassion than the previous administration. My thoughts on the mess that is the HK asylum seeker situation
Latest
O.M.I. newsletter from Australia
From the archives of v2catholic: April 4, 2012 - A mirror of God's love
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Samuel 7:
The Sacred Chest was taken from the town of Beth-shemesh
to the town of Kiriath-jearim, to the house of Abinadab,
whose son Eleazar was consecrated to guard the Chest. After 20 more years, the Israelites again
longed for freedom from the Philistines. Samuel gathered all the Israelites at
Mizpah,
where after prayer,
battle was joined with the Philistines who were defeated. The Philistines no longer came into Israelite
territory.
Samuel was judge over all Israel for the rest of his life.
During Samuel's time, the Philistines no longer troubled Israel.
There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. Each year Samuel went on circuit around the
country
to judge cases of law. He would then return to his home town of Ramah
and continue his work as a judge from there.
Dear God, please give the world
more leaders like Samuel
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
16: Please protect me, Lord, I take refuge in
you.
You are the only source of all true happiness. I bless you, Lord, who guide and lead me.
Even at night you direct my heart. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad.
My body shall rest in safety now and always. You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand, happiness for ever.
Thank you, Lord, for the little
joys you give us each day
....and the big joy you've prepared for us in Heaven.
Recording
Ephesians
5.21-33:
In your families, treat each other as Christ
wants you to:
Wives, in your husbands see Christ the head of the Church.
Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the Church. When men and women get married, they become
one body.
This sacred action helps us understand the relationship between Christ and
the Church.
Jesus, please help husbands and wives to love
each other
the way you love the Church
Recording
John
14.23-27: At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples
"If you love me, you will put my words into practice, and my Father
will love you, and we shall make our home in your heart. The New Friend, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of
all I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give
you, a peace the world cannot give".
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, please help me
understand how you live in my heart. Thank you for your peace
Reflection on the above readings:
As we grow from childhood to adulthood, we become aware of how much our mother and father have done for us. Likewise we grow more aware of how our life comes from God ...who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
----------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
101: Recording It
would hardly be helpful to describe symptoms without acknowledging the human
origins of the ecological crisis.
A certain way of understanding human life and activity has gone awry, to the serious detriment of the world around us.
Should we not pause and consider this?
At this stage, I propose that we focus on the dominant technocratic paradigm and the place of human beings and of human action in the world.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
99: Recording
Our world is being torn
apart by wars and violence, and wounded by a widespread individualism which
divides human beings, setting them against one another as they pursue
their own well-being. In various countries, conflicts and old divisions from the
past are re-emerging.
I especially ask Christians in communities throughout the world to offer a radiant and attractive witness of fraternal communion. Let everyone admire how you care for one another, and how you encourage and accompany one another: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn 13:35).
This was Jesus' heartfelt prayer to the Father: "That they may all be one... in us ... so that the world may believe" (Jn 17:21).
Beware of the temptation of jealousy!
We are all in the same boat and headed to the same port! Let us ask for the
grace to rejoice in the gifts of each, which belong to all.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
First ever visit to Yunfu Middle School with Fr David, Sr Helen & Sr Marie. Thank you Emily & Jenky
------------------------------------------
Yesterday at Lai Chi Kok men's prison I tried speaking a
little Spanish with some of the South American inmates ....and they taught me a
few new phrases. Reason for learning Spanish: I'm hoping to go to South America
in January to visit families of inmates in HK and to do publicity to stop drug
mules coming to HK (just like trips to Africa in Jan 2015, 2016 and 2017). It's
said that learning a language is a good way to keep the brain healthy!
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent. & N
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 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Malawi
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
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Frid June 16
My usual Thursday night meal for homeless people and other special guests has been in a new venue for the past two weeks...as our numbers grow and we look for a larger location. And some of the volunteers who help arrange the gathering are sharing my dream that someday we might even have our own canteen somewhere in the Jordan-Yau Ma Tei area ....employing homeless people and providing cheap meals for the needy. "That which can be imagined can be done".
Letter in English from a prisoner from Guinea,
warning others not to make the mistake he made in bringing drugs to HK - here
(June 13)
Letters in Russian by a Ukrainian
woman in prison in HK for drug trafficking - here
(June 10, 11)
-------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
1 Samuel 6: The Sacred Chest of the Lord was in Philistine
territory for 7 months. Then the Philistines put the Chest on a cart
pulled by 2 milch cows.
The cows went straight to the Israelite town of Beth-shemesh,
without anyone leading them. The people of Beth-shemesh were overjoyed to
see the Sacred Chest.
Dear Lord, thank you
for the joy in our hearts
which comes from friendship with you
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
14-15: So many people live and act as if God doesn't exist.
Some foolish people even say there is no God. So many people have left the way of justice and truth.
So many people follow the way of falsehood. Lord, help us to live as we should.
Help us not to slander, help us not to wrong others.
Lord,
help us to stand firm in the
way of goodness
Recording
Ephesians
5.10-20:
Try to discover what the Lord wants of you.
Have nothing to do with the futile works of darkness. Wake up from your sleep, rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful about the sort of life you
live.
Follow your enlightened mind, not your unruly passions. Avoid drunkenness. Instead, be filled with the
Spirit.
Sing prayer songs when you are together, and when you're by yourself, keep
on singing to the Lord in your heart, always giving thanks to God
Jesus, make my heart sing right through the
day
John
14.8-21: At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples
"To have seen me, is to have seen the Father. I am in the Father, and
the Father is in me. Whatever you ask for in my name, I will do it,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you love me, you
will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father and he will give you
another Friend to be always with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth
who will be living in your heart. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and
my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home in his
heart".
Father, Jesus, Spirit of Truth - three
Persons, one God
- thank you for living in
my heart
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
"Milch cows" in today's first reading means "milking mothers with calves" ....and the story implies something special happened because the cows left their calves behind. I've omitted the ending of the story ....what happened to the cows....very unfair! (1 Samuel 6.14)
----------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
100: Recording
The New Testament does not only tell us of the
earthly Jesus and his tangible and loving relationship with the world.
It also shows him risen and glorious, present throughout creation by his universal Lordship: "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" (Col 1:19-20).
This leads us to direct our gaze to the end of time, when the Son will deliver all things to the Father, so that "God may be everything to every one" (1 Cor 15:28).
Thus, the creatures of this world no longer appear to us under merely natural guise because the risen One is mysteriously holding them to himself and directing them towards fullness as their end.
The very flowers of the field and the birds which his human eyes contemplated and admired are now imbued with his radiant presence.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
98: Recording
How many wars take place within the people of God
and in our different communities! In our neighbourhoods and in the workplace, how
many wars are caused by envy and jealousy, even among Christians!
Spiritual worldliness leads some Christians to war with other Christians who stand in the way of their quest for power, prestige, pleasure and economic security.
Some are even no longer content to live as part of the greater
Church community but stoke a spirit of exclusivity, creating an "inner
circle". Instead of belonging to the whole Church in
all its rich variety, they belong to this or that group which thinks itself
different or special.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
------------------------------------------
I guess if our Thursday night group does eventually have
its own canteen, my job will be to .... bless....the loaves and fish!?
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: S.
America
Sat: Cent, N. 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 16th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Qinghai
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Afghanistan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thur June 15
I spent a large part of yesterday at and getting to/from Hei Ling Chau Island Correctional Institution ("18C") ...where I shook hands (while saying "Jesus bless you") with hundreds of inmates to encourage them to "keep going". One of the men there, "A-Cheung", has been in detention about 50 (fifty!) times for drug possession/trafficking (tiny amounts). He has been in detention for more than half his life. He has been to my home several times over the years - as in this photo. He's the one in the pink shirt. I normally don't publish inmates' names or photos, but A-Cheung is requesting prayers that this might be his last time in detention. He's due out at the end of the month, and I'm praying that this time he'll bite the bullet and spend some time at St. Stephen's rehabilitation centre which has helped thousands of people come off drugs. (When I checked St Stephen's website just now, I noticed they have recordings in simple Cantonese of the Gospels ....excellent ...check out Luke)
The
madness continues ... and unless more ordinary people oppose the radical gay
agenda, the madness will worsen:
"All-gender dorms" and "gender-neutral bathrooms" to be foisted on two top US prep schools (I have signed the petition at this link)
A scientific voice - the
American College of Pediatricians:
Gender Ideology Harms Children"Conditioning
children into believing that a lifetime of chemical and surgical impersonation
of the opposite sex is normal and healthful, is child abuse"
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
1
Samuel 5: The Philistines took the captured Sacred Chest
to the shrine of Dagon in one of their towns. Next morning, they found the statue of Dagon
on its face on the ground, in front of the Sacred Chest. They picked Dagon up and put him back in his
place.
But next morning he was down again,
with his head and hands cut off from the rest of his body. While the Sacred Chest was in the Philistine
town,
the people there were struck with tumors and many people died. The people told their leaders to take the
Sacred Chest
back to Israel where it belonged.
Dear God, please help everyone
know
that there is no other God but you.
Psalms
9-13: I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart.
You have so often rescued me from trouble. Thank you! You are the best helper for people in trouble.
Please keep on helping me when troubles come. Please stop bad people from hurting others.
Please let peoples in all countries know they must avoid evil and live a
life of justice.
Dear Lord, thank you for
so often rescuing me
Recording
Ephesians
5.1-4:
Follow Christ by loving as he loved us. Among you there must be not even a mention of
promiscuity or impurity in any of its forms. There must be no coarseness, or salacious talk
and jokes - all this is wrong for you.
Jesus, help me control my mind and my
tongue
Recording
John
13.37 - 14.6: At the meal, Peter said to Jesus "I will
lay down my life for you". Jesus
replied "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. To all of you I say, there are many rooms in
my Father's house.
I am going now to prepare a place for you. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through me".
Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth and the
Life.
Please help more and more people follow you to find truth and life
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
Sometimes people say there's not much humor in the Bible. Well....I'm sure a good comedian could have a field day with today's first reading!
-------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
99: Recording In
the Christian understanding of the world, the destiny of all creation is bound
up with the mystery of Christ, present from the beginning: "All things have
been created though him and for him" (Col 1:16).
The prologue of the Gospel of John (1:1-18) reveals Christ's creative work as the Divine Word (Logos).
But then, unexpectedly, the prologue goes on to say that this same Word "became flesh" (Jn 1:14).
One Person of the Trinity entered into the created cosmos, throwing in his lot with it, even to the cross.
From the beginning of the world, but particularly through the incarnation, the mystery of Christ is at work in a hidden manner in the natural world as a whole, without thereby impinging on its autonomy.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
97: Recording
Those who have fallen into this worldliness
look on from above and afar, they reject the prophecy of their brothers and
sisters, they discredit those who raise questions, they constantly point out the
mistakes of others and they are obsessed by appearances.
Their hearts are open only to the limited horizon of their own immanence and interests, and as a consequence they neither learn from their sins nor are they genuinely open to forgiveness.
This is a tremendous corruption disguised as a good. We need to avoid it by making the Church constantly go out from herself, keeping her mission focused on Jesus Christ, and her commitment to the poor.
God save us from a worldly Church with superficial spiritual and pastoral trappings!
This stifling worldliness can only be
healed by breathing in the pure air of the Holy Spirit who frees us from
self-centredness cloaked in an outward religiosity bereft of God. Let us not
allow ourselves to be robbed of the Gospel!
-------------------------------------
10 years ago today:
------------------------------------------
Yesterday at "18C"
Correctional Centre on Hei Ling Chau Island, I needed to catch the 3.45pm ferry
back to HK Island.
But in order to spend more time with the inmates, I took a risk and hoped there
would be a last-minute CSD bus from 18C for the 15 minute drive to the ferry
pier (...no fixed schedules...). Needn't have worried. When I got to the main
entrance of the centre to ask if there was any chance of a
bus, the Superintendent of the Centre happened to be there ....an old friend
from Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre....and he personally made sure a bus came. How
do you spell "Providence"?!
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N 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 15th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Lioaning
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Zimbabwe
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday,
please pacify Al-Qaeda
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed June 14
HK juvenile inmates forced to lick urine, burned with boiling food
Since this little website began about five years ago, a number of
kind people have written blogs on a wide range of subjects. Yesterday I finally
got round to updating the file of bloggers -
it's here.
Each Saturday I'll try to put on the menu an "archive" article from
this file. God bless all the bloggers!
Letter
in English from a Latin American inmate in prison in HK for drug trafficking - here
(June 9)
--------------------------------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
Left, right, centre, time for a change
I am sure in our recent general election there were those of all political persuasions who, for the first time in a lifetime, voted in a different way, who forsook the traditions of their family and showed an independence of thought that can only be applauded.
-------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1 Samuel 4: Around this time, the Philistines defeated the
Israelites in a battle. The Israelites then went to Shiloh
and took the Sacred Chest of the Lord. They took the Sacred Chest into battle with
them
but the Chest was captured by the Philistines. In the same battle, Eli's two sons were
killed.
When Eli heard that his sons were dead
and that the Sacred Chest had been captured,
he fell backwards off his seat, his neck was broken, and he died.
Dear God, please don't let me
cause unhappiness for my family
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
8: How great is your name, O Lord our God,
through all the earth. When I see the heavens, the work of your
hands,
the moon and stars which you have arranged,
then I stop and think:
what are we insignificant humans that you should care about us? Yet you have put us in charge of the world.
Everything is subject to our control.
How great is your name, O Lord
our God, through all the earth
Recording
Ephesians
4.22-32: You must give up your old way of life.
You must put aside your old self and its delusions. Your mind must be renewed by a spiritual
revolution, so that you can follow a way of life based on goodness and
truth. From now on, no more lies.
Delete anger from your mind at the end of each day. Anyone who was a thief must stop stealing. Try
to find a decent job. Guard against foul talk.
Let your conversation encourage people, not drag them down. Avoid grudges. Don't lose your temper.
Don't raise your voice to anyone. Don't call people names. Be friends with one another, and kind,
forgiving one another as readily as God forgives us in Christ.
Jesus, help me put these words into
practice
Recording
John
13.34-35:
Jesus said to his disciples at the meal
"I give you a new commandment: love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples".
Jesus, please help all Christians to
love one another as you have loved us
Reflection
on the above readings:
Saint
Paul in Ephesians (above) spells out in detail some applications of Jesus' words
in today's Gospel: "love one another as I have loved you".
-------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
98b: Recording Jesus
worked with his hands, in daily contact with the matter created by God, to which
he gave form by his craftsmanship.
It is striking that most of his life was dedicated to this task in a simple life which awakened no admiration at all: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?" (Mk 6:3).
In this way he sanctified human labour and endowed it with a special significance for our development.
As Saint John Paul II taught, "by enduring the toil of work in union with Christ crucified for us, man in a way collaborates with the Son of God for the redemption of humanity".
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
96: Recording
This
way of thinking also feeds the vainglory of those who are content to have a
modicum of power and would rather be the general of a defeated army than a mere
private in a unit which continues to fight.
How often we dream up vast apostolic projects, meticulously planned, just like defeated generals!
But this is to deny our history as a Church, which is glorious precisely because it is a history of sacrifice, of hopes and daily struggles, of lives spent in service and fidelity to work, tiring as it may be, for all work is "the sweat of our brow".
Instead, we waste time talking about "what needs to be done" - in Spanish we call this the sin of "habriaqueismo"- like spiritual masters and pastoral experts who give instructions from on high.
We
indulge in endless fantasies and we lose contact with the real lives and
difficulties of our people.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
Welcome Back meal- Claire & Conor, Cyprian, David, Eldon, Gabriel, Garth, Ramon & Teray, Shaun
------------------------------------------
Delicate Dementia - story from US: Several
days ago as I left the club, I desperately gave myself a personal pat down. I
was looking for my car keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the
club revealed nothing. Suddenly I realized, I must have left them in the
car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My wife had scolded me many times
for leaving the keys in the ignition. My theory is the ignition is the best
place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen.
As I burst through the doors of the club, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her
theory was right. The parking lot was empty. I immediately called the police. I
gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and
that it had been stolen. Then I made the most difficult call of all,
"Honey," I stammered. I always call her "honey" in times
like these. "I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen."
There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I
heard her voice. "Idiot", she barked, "I dropped you off!"
Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get
me." She retorted, "I will, as soon as I convince this policeman I
have not stolen your car."
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E.Asia, Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N 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 14th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jilin
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 14th of the month, Jesus please
bless the people of Ethiopia
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
---------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Please also join me in praying for the very many deformed and handicapped people from China who are on the streets of HK as beggars...as well as deformed people in China itself ...like Hung Chun Cai
My Africa trips:
2015: Tanzania, Malawi
2016:
Kenya, Uganda
2017:
Southern Africa, Dubai
--------------------
Gay marriage: an elephant in the room (by John W)
Video: What "gay marriage" did to Massachusetts
Frightening
YouTube reports:
LGBT radical impact
on educational institutions (No.
5); LGBT
infiltrating churches
(No. 6); US corporations massively
supporting LGBT agenda (No. 7). What
has happened in the US is now starting to happen in other places. Some
day our children will ask "why didn't you do more to stop this evil?"
--------------------------------------------
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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