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 

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Tues Aug 8

I spent 5 hours yesterday at Stanley Prison ....working on some cases coming up soon at the High Court...and visiting old friends, especially from Africa ...so many of whose families I met on my 3 trips to Africa in Jan 2015, Jan 2016 and Jan 2017. I'm hoping that a new NGO soon to be set up - "Voice for Prisoners" - will be able to help inmates in various ways ..e.g. help with study courses, assistance to needy families of prisoners, legal assistance, lobbying overseas governments re transfer agreements etc. At one stage yesterday I visited some men in an exercise yard ....but I had a problem.....I had thought I'd be indoors all day, so I hadn't taken my hat with me into the prison (I'd left it at the main gate with my phone, umbrella etc)....and the sun was blazing ....no problem for my African brothers, but too strong for my feeble Caucasian scalp! 

 

Independent probe urged into alleged prison abuse
 

City Remembers Beloved Costco Co-founder Who Treated Employees With Dignity

 

Thank you Jesus! Liberal Party at meeting yesterday did not change its policy re gay marriage. But the battle continues. Notice how this ABC report (with linked items) is totally one-sided, giving virtually no space to "the other side": 'Groundhog day' as Liberals vote no change on same-sex marriage policy. How can Australia stop the LGBT juggernaut which wants all countries to become like Massachusetts? Well, more than one juggernaut has received its first-ever setback at the hands of Australians (...German army in North Africa...Japanese army in New Guinea)

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

2 Kings 4: A poor widow whose husband had been a prophet asked Elisha for help when a creditor demanded her two sons as slaves. All she had was a small pot of oil, not enough to pay her debts. Elisha told her to get many jars, and start pouring oil from the pot into the jars. As she and her sons did this, the oil did not run out. Elisha told her to sell the oil to pay off her debts. At another time Elisha  brought back to life a dead child. He also once brought about a miraculous multiplication of bread. 
Dear God,  you once worked miracles by the prayers of Elisha. Please let  miracles be done in our day.

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 89: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever. The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord. The heavens are yours, the world is yours. Blessed the people who find joy in you, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face. 
Thank you, Lord, for our beautiful world

Recording

 

2 Thessalonians 3.1-5: Pray that the Lord's message may spread quickly, and be received with honor as it was by yourselves. Pray that we may be protected from the interference of bigoted people. May your hearts focus on the love of God our Father and the fortitude of Christ. 
Jesus, don't let bigoted people influence me

Recording


Matthew 9.1-8: Some people carried  a paralyzed man through a crowd to Jesus. The man was on a bed. Jesus knew that these people believed he could help them, so he said to the paralyzed man "Courage, your sins are forgiven". Religious leaders in the crowd were thinking to themselves that Jesus was wrong to say he could forgive sins. So Jesus said to the leaders: Which is easier: to say 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say 'Get up and walk'? Then to prove that he had authority to forgive sins, he said to the paralyzed man "Get up, pick up your bed and go home". The man got up and went home. The crowd praised God for what they had seen. 
Jesus, please give me more faith in your power to forgive,  your power to heal
Recording

Reflection on the above readings:

Today's Gospel is one of the rare occasions when Jesus links sickness to sin. 

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

141: Recording:  Economic growth, for its part, tends to produce predictable reactions and a certain standardization with the aim of simplifying procedures and reducing costs. 

This suggests the need for an "economic ecology" capable of appealing to a broader vision of reality. 

The protection of the environment is in fact "an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it". 

We urgently need a humanism capable of bringing together the different fields of knowledge, including economics, in the service of a more integral and integrating vision.

Today, the analysis of environmental problems cannot be separated from the analysis of human, family, work-related and urban contexts, nor from how individuals relate to themselves, which leads in turn to how they relate to others and to the environment. There is an interrelation between ecosystems and between the various spheres of social interaction, demonstrating yet again that "the whole is greater than the part"

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

140: Recording  This setting, both maternal and ecclesial, in which the dialogue between the Lord and his people takes place, should be encouraged by the closeness of the preacher, the warmth of his tone of voice, the unpretentiousness of his manner of speaking, the joy of his gestures.

Even if the homily at times may be somewhat tedious, if this maternal and ecclesial spirit is present, it will always bear fruit, just as the tedious counsels of a mother bear fruit, in due time, in the hearts of her children.

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Interactive Bible QuZ - Leviticus
Based on the actual words of the Bible. 
How many times can you get 3/3 ?!  

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 Diamond theft suspect to remain in hospital

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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 8th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Heilongjiang

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 8th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Siera Leone

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

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Mon Aug 7

Letter in Chinese by a local HK man saying how he was set up by local Drug Lord CHENG TAI TUNG, in partnership with local police - here (July 9) ....I'd be grateful for comments about this story from Chinese readers ...anyone any ideas about this? jdwomi@gmail.com 

 

In Pictures - For Pakistanis, China 'friendship' road runs one way
Pakistan's exports to China fell by almost eight percent in the second half of 2016, while imports jumped by almost 29 percent.

 

Today at 4pm Canberra time there will be a meeting of Liberal Party politicians that might well decide the future of the family in Australia. If the party surrenders to the LGBT agenda, Australia will quickly become like Massachusetts. From a Christian point of view, from the point of view of the family, the importance of today's meeting is "off the scale". 

Let's often pray today:  "Dear Holy Spirit, please fall afresh on the politicians as they meet to discuss the future of the family in the 'Land of the Holy Spirit'!"..... to oppose the pro-LGBT media which continues to bombard its readers with articles like this:
Liberal MPs pushing for gay marriage have voters on their side  and this Liberals pin gay marriage hopes on religious protections (which has the alarming words: "But business owners and service providers such as bakers, florists and photographers will need to prove they are linked to a 'religious body' to reject a same-sex wedding")

(...Australia today...HK tomorrow...)

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

2 Kings 2-3: The Lord revealed to Elisha and other prophets that Elijah would be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha said to Elijah "Let me inherit a double share of your spirit." Then a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. The spirit of Elijah then came to rest on Elisha and he began to do miracles by the power of the Lord. 
Holy Spirit of God, please increase your influence in my life

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 88: Lord my God, day and night I call to you for help. Please turn your ear to my cry. For my soul is filled with evils. My life is on the brink of the grave. I am reckoned as one in the tomb. I have reached the end of my strength. Will your love be told in the grave? Will your wonders be known in the dark? Fear surrounds  me like a flood. All my friends have deserted me. My only companion is darkness. 
Lord, please help people who are in despair

Recording

 

2 Thessalonians 2.1-17: Regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, don't be deceived by wild speculation. Stand firm in your faith and avoid speculation. Keep the traditions we taught you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May God strengthen you in everything good you do or say. 
Jesus, stop people spreading false information

Recording


Matthew 8.23-27: Jesus and his "fisher of men" friends got into a boat to cross the lake near Capernaum. Jesus was so tired that he went to sleep in the boat. Then a sudden storm caused big waves to lash the boat. Jesus' friends woke him up  and said "Save us, Lord, we are sinking". Jesus stood up, and ordered the wind and sea to be calm. Straight away the wind and sea were calm. Jesus' friends said to each other "Who is this? Even the wind and sea obey him." 
Jesus, please calm the storms in my life, my family, our world

Recording

 

Reflection on the above readings:

Why did Jesus stand up (not easy in a storm-tossed boat!)? Why didn't he just stay lying down, give his orders to the wind and sea, then roll over and go back to sleep?
Maybe we too need to "stand up" in time of trial ....rather than timidly seeking shelter from "storms"

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

140b: Recording  We need only recall how ecosystems interact in dispersing carbon dioxide, purifying water, controlling illnesses and epidemics, forming soil, breaking down waste, and in many other ways which we overlook or simply do not know about.

Once they become conscious of this, many people realize that we live and act on the basis of a reality which has previously been given to us, which precedes our existence and our abilities. 

So, when we speak of "sustainable use", consideration must always be given to each ecosystem's regenerative ability in its different areas and aspects.

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

139b: Recording  Moreover, a good mother can recognize everything that God is bringing about in her children, she listens to their concerns and learns from them. 

The spirit of love which reigns in a family guides both mother and child in their conversations; therein they teach and learn, experience correction and grow in appreciation of what is good. 

Something similar happens in a homily.

The same Spirit who inspired the Gospels and who acts in the Church also inspires the preacher to hear the faith of God's people and to find the right way to preach at each Eucharist.

Christian preaching thus finds in the heart of people and their culture a source of living water, which helps the preacher to know what must be said and how to say it.

Just as all of us like to be spoken to in our mother tongue, so too in the faith we like to be spoken to in our "mother culture", our native language (cf. 2 Macc 7:21, 27), and our heart is better disposed to listen. This language is a kind of music which inspires encouragement, strength and enthusiasm.

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 Last night's weekly gathering for the poor was made extra happy by the visit of a group of Filipino singers....who at first sang some hymns, but then produced some disco type songs. Even some of elderly guests got up and started dancing!

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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 7th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hebei

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: 
On this 7th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Burkina Faso

And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:

Jesus, today,
Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Sun Aug 6

Doctors accuse AMA of misleading public on "marriage equality"

From a Christian point of view, from the point of view of the family, the importance of political meetings over the next few days in Australia is "off the scale". Unless there's a dramatic turn for the good (from the point of view of the family) Australia is sadly destined to succumb to the LGBT juggernaut and become like Massachusetts (about which most Australians are still unaware). Let's pray often over the next few days "Dear Holy Spirit, please fall afresh on the politicians as they meet to discuss the future of the family in the 'Land of the Holy Spirit'!"


Such a crucial couple of days coming up ...a matter of life and death for the family....let's see how this absolute top story is featured in Australia's Catholic media (much of which needs to be updated?) ..this survey made at 9.45pm HK time, Sat Aug 5.

Perth (nothing on main page?)

Adelaide (nothing on main page?)

Melbourne (nothing on main page?)

Hobart (nothing on main page?)

Canberra (nothing on main page?)

Sydney (nothing on main page?)

Brisbane (nothing on main page?)

Catholica (main page has no topic on this issue)

Eureka Street (nothing on main page ..except a pro-gay cartoon)

If this issue is decided against the family, historians will rightly ask: where was the voice of the Catholic Church during these crucial days? Outdated media ....no excuse in this digital age.

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

c.f. readings for Feast of the Transfiguration

Daniel 7: Once when Daniel was asleep, he had a vision of heaven: "Thrones were put in place and one of great age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, his hair as pure as wool. A thousand thousand waited on him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. Then coming on the clouds of heaven was one like a son of man. On him was conferred  glory and kingship, and people of all nations became his servants. His kingship is eternal. His empire will never be destroyed."
Jesus, please help me understand that you are the "Son of Man" whose kingship is eternal

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 97: The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his robes. His throne is justice and goodness. The skies proclaim his goodness. All peoples see his glory. Let those who serve idols be ashamed. Let all creation worship  the Creator. Light shines forth for good people
and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice in the Lord, all good people. Give glory to his holy name.

Lord, you indeed are God of the universe

Recording

 

2 Peter 1.12-18: As long as I am in this passing world, my duty is to keep on reminding you of the truths we hold dear. Writing this letter is one way of making sure that after my departure you will still have a way of recalling the truths we hold dear. These truths are not cleverly invented myths. I myself saw the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was honored and glorified by God the Father,  when the Sublime Glory himself spoke to him and said "This is my Son, the Beloved. He enjoys my favor". I heard this myself, spoken from heaven, when I was with Jesus on the holy mountain.
Jesus, Beloved Son, may more and more people accept the truth of your Good News

Recording


Matthew 17.1-8: One day Jesus took his disciples Peter, James and John up a high mountain. On the mountain Jesus' whole appearance changed. His face shone like the sun. His clothes were as white as snow. The  prophets Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with him. Peter said to Jesus "Lord, how good it is for us to be here!" Then a bright cloud covered them with its shadow. From the cloud came a voice: "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him." The disciples bowed to the ground. When they got up, they saw only Jesus in his normal appearance. 
Jesus, Beloved Son of God, how good it is to spend time with you in prayer
.
Recording

 

 Reflection on the above readings: 

May today's Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus give us hope and courage to do whatever we can to help transform our troubled word into a better place

A beautiful song about the Transfiguration: 
We Behold 


Video commentary on today's readings - in Italian with English, Chinese and Spanish subtitles

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

140a: Recording  Due to the number and variety of factors to be taken into account when determining the environmental impact of a concrete undertaking, it is essential to give researchers their due role, to facilitate their interaction, and to ensure broad academic freedom. 

Ongoing research should also give us a better understanding of how different creatures relate to one another in making up the larger units which today we term "ecosystems". 

We take these systems into account not only to determine how best to use them, but also because they have an intrinsic value independent of their usefulness.

Each organism, as a creature of God, is good and admirable in itself; the same is true of the harmonious ensemble of organisms existing in a defined space and functioning as a system. Although we are often not aware of it, we depend on these larger systems for our own existence.

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

139a: Recording  We said that the people of God, by the constant inner working of the Holy Spirit, is constantly evangelizing itself

What are the implications of this principle for preachers? 

It reminds us that the Church is a mother, and that she preaches in the same way that a mother speaks to her child, knowing that the child trusts that what she is teaching is for his or her benefit, for children know that they are loved. 

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Hour of Love HK radio program 8.30 pm HK time tonight - with items about HK prison inmates

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  Rwanda's Kagame in landslide poll win with around 98pc of votes (reminds me of stories about Communist leaders in Russia who used to win with 105% of votes!)

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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 6th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hainan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 6th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liberea

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 Aug 5

A couple of months ago I linked this story about 6 US prisoners who helped save the life of their guard who had had a heart attack. Well, yesterday at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (men's prison) I met three local HK Chinese men who did a similar thing. Not long ago the guard in their dayroom lost consciousness (...not surprising in the recent heat wave...). The three men immediately sprang into action, giving the guard first aid and calling for emergency help. Yesterday I was asked by another guard to write a support letter for the three men when they go to court ....which I'll gladly do. The men's action falls into the category of "something good done for HK society between time of arrest and time of sentencing" (just like inmates' participation in my anti-drug campaign).

 

From a Christian point of view, from the point of view of the family, the importance of political meetings over the next few days in Australia is "off the scale". Unless there's a dramatic turn for the good (from the point of view of the family) Australia is sadly destined to succumb to the LGBT juggernaut and become like Massachusetts (about which most Australians are still unaware). Let's pray often over the next few days "Dear Holy Spirit, please fall afresh on the politicians as they meet to discuss the future of the 'Land of the Holy Spirit'!"

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

2 Kings 1: Ahaziah, king of Israel, was seriously ill after a fall. He tried to send messengers to the temple of a false god to ask about his future. But the Lord sent Elijah the prophet to intercept the messengers and tell them that the king would die. The king sent 50 soldiers to arrest Elijah but as they approached Elijah, fire from heaven destroyed them. The king sent another 50 soldiers. They too were destroyed by fire from heaven. A third group of 50 was sent. They begged Elijah to spare them. The Lord told Elijah to go with them to the king. Elijah then told the king to his face that he would soon die because he had tried to ask a false god about his future. Not long after this, Ahaziah died.
Dear Lord, please don't let us ever get involved with false religion

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 87: On the holy mountain is Jerusalem, the Lord's cherished city. Of you are told glorious things, O city of God. All nations are called to serve and love the Lord. And Jerusalem shall be called their spiritual mother, for all shall be her children. In Jerusalem everyone will be welcome and find a home. 
Lord, may Jerusalem be a place of peace and prayer for all peoples

Recording

 

2 Thessalonians 1.1-5: From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy to the Church in Thessalonika: grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We take special pride in you because of your perseverance, despite persecutions and other troubles you have to face. People who refuse to accept the Good News are facing an eternal penalty: to be excluded forever from the presence of the Lord. So we pray that God will help you be the sort of people he wants you to be. In this way our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you. 
Jesus, help me "keep going" when trials come

Recording



Matthew 8.14-17: Jesus went to the home of Peter the "fisher of men". Peter's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and began to serve her visitor. That evening, many sick people were brought to Peter's home. Jesus healed them all.
Jesus, please heal .....(names)....who are sick

Recording

Reflection on the above readings:

Peter's home became a hospital! ...where every patient was healed! ...and patient number one was Peter's dear mother-in-law ... 

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

139: Recording When we speak of the "environment", what we really mean is a relationship existing between nature and the society which lives in it.

Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live.

We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it.

Recognizing the reasons why a given area is polluted requires a study of the workings of society, its economy, its behaviour patterns, and the ways it grasps reality. 

Given the scale of change, it is no longer possible to find a specific, discrete answer for each part of the problem.

It is essential to seek comprehensive solutions which consider the interactions within natural systems themselves and with social systems. 

We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. 

Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.

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

138: Recording  The homily cannot be a form of entertainment like those presented by the media, yet it does need to give life and meaning to the celebration. It is a distinctive genre, since it is preaching situated within the framework of a liturgical celebration; hence it should be brief and avoid taking on the semblance of a speech or a lecture

A preacher may be able to hold the attention of his listeners for a whole hour, but in this case his words become more important than the celebration of faith. If the homily goes on too long, it will affect two characteristic elements of the liturgical celebration: its balance and its rhythm. 

When preaching takes place within the context of the liturgy, it is part of the offering made to the Father and a mediation of the grace which Christ pours out during the celebration. This context demands that preaching should guide the assembly, and the preacher, to a life-changing communion with Christ in the Eucharist. This means that the words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the centre of attention.

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 A HK media team currently doing a report on my anti-drug campaign did some filming yesterday at Lai Chi Kok men's prison ....as I was walking in two stages towards the prison entrance. But when I put my umbrella up half way through the shoot as rain began to fall I heard the instruction (on mobile phone) "please don't use your umbrella for this second stage of the recording since you didn't use it for the first part". 

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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 5th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guizhou

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 5th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Chad

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

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Fri Aug 4

Yesterday morning after a pre-trial at the High Court I attended two legal team meetings aimed at helping two Mainland women facing drug trafficking charges ...after being deceived by Nigerian men operating in Guangzhou. The legal teams really impressed me ...aiming to do all they can to prove the innocence of the two women. I'm hoping that these two cases will be successful and will then enable other already-sentenced Mainland women to launch appeals ...using fresh information from the above two cases.

Last night there was the usual Thursday happy meal in a local canteen with the homeless group ....six of whom sleep at a nearby McDonald's where Tony, Lucia and I (the core-group of "MercyHK") had a brief meeting after the meal. Our temporary shelter arrangement in Temple Street is going well, and soon please God we will have a long-term accommodation centre for men ...on Cheung Chau Island (where it's easy to arrange cleaning jobs for the men). McDonald's is so good to let needy people stay overnight ...maybe we can call our Cheung Chau centre "McMercy"!?

 

Global warming to cause heatwaves that will kill healthy people

 

  Croatian priest appointed as link between Rome and Beijing says Church in China is "living in semi-freedom"

 

This article made me think that most Australian media is excessiveley focussed on a single issue and no other issue can be reported without giving great importance to that issue. 
For a PM seeking relief from the same-sex divide, a GST grenade is welcome

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

1 Kings 22: Some false prophets encouraged the king of Israel and the king of Judah to go to war. Micah, a true prophet of the Lord, warned the kings not to go to war. The men of Israel and Judah were defeated in the war. Ahab, the king of Israel, died in the war. 
Dear Lord, please don't let false prophets deceive the world

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 86: Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer for I am poor and needy. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of love to all who call to you. All the nations shall come to adore you and glorify your name, O Lord, you who alone are God. Show me, Lord, your way, and guide my heart so that I may walk in your truth. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart for your love to me has been great. O give your strength to your servant and save your handmaid's son. 
Dear Lord, thank you for all your love

Recording

 

1 Thessalonians 5.19-28: Let the Holy Spirit have a free reign in your life. Hold on to what is good. Avoid every form of evil. May the God of peace make you holy. May you be kept safe in spirit, soul and body, for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called you. He will not fail you. Pray for us. Greet all the believers with the holy kiss. Read this letter to all the believers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Holy Spirit of Jesus, Holy Spirit of the Father, I open my life to you.  My heart is yours

Recording

 

 

Matthew 8.5-13: In the town of Capernaum, a Roman army captain said to Jesus "Sir, my servant is paralyzed and in great pain." Jesus replied "I will go and heal him". But the captain said "Sir, I am not worthy that you should enter my house. Just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I understand orders. I give an order, and people act. I know that you also just need to give an order, and my servant will be healed". Jesus said "This foreigner's faith is greater than that of the local people. And I  tell you that in the future people from all parts of the world will be in the kingdom of heaven". Then Jesus said to the captain "Go home. Your request made in faith is granted". And the servant was healed at that moment.
Jesus, please give more people,  from all parts of the world, the faith of the captain

Recording

 

Reflection on the above Bible readings:

Today's first reading speaks about false prophets. In today's world also there are false prophets who water down or change or even oppose the clear teaching of the Bible. Simple good people who pray and love God and neighbour have an inbuilt detector which alerts them to false teaching and false prophets.

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

 138: Recording  Ecology studies the relationship between living organisms and the environment in which they develop.

This necessarily entails reflection and debate about the conditions required for the life and survival of society, and the honesty needed to question certain models of development, production and consumption. 

It cannot be emphasized enough how everything is interconnected. 

Time and space are not independent of one another, and not even atoms or subatomic particles can be considered in isolation.

Just as the different aspects of the planet - physical, chemical and biological - are interrelated, so too living species are part of a network which we will never fully explore and understand. 

A good part of our genetic code is shared by many living beings.

It follows that the fragmentation of knowledge and the isolation of bits of information can actually become a form of ignorance, unless they are integrated into a broader vision of reality.

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

137: Recording  It is worth remembering that "the liturgical proclamation of the word of God, especially in the eucharistic assembly, is not so much a time for meditation and catechesis as a dialogue between God and his people, a dialogue in which the great deeds of salvation are proclaimed and the demands of the covenant are continually restated".

The homily has special importance due to its eucharistic context: it surpasses all forms of catechesis as the supreme moment in the dialogue between God and his people which lead up to sacramental communion. The homily takes up once more the dialogue which the Lord has already established with his people

The preacher must know the heart of his community, in order to realize where its desire for God is alive and ardent, as well as where that dialogue, once loving, has been thwarted and is now barren 

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 One of the poor people who attends the Thursday night special meal is a young woman with her 8-month old baby daughter. Mother used to sleep at McDonald's ...now has a small apartment, make that a small room in a Yau Ma Tei apartment building. Baby is always centre of attention on Thursday night ...often gets passed from person to person like a relay baton. I call the baby "Winnie" since she was born on the Winter Solstice, Dec 21, last year. 

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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 4th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangdong

And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
 
On this 4th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mozambique

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

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Thu August 3

What is driving some of Hong Kong's youth to suicide?
For others, faith helps them stay clear of self-destructive thoughts

 

From a HK reader:
Better Planning for Rehabilitation for Long-term Prisoners Needed

 

Thank you Jesus! Two days ago a double shipment received from the printer:
A Chinese version of the 16 page booklet Good News for the Poor - here (scroll down to Chinese)
...and a reprint of the Simple Bible: Old Testament (in English) - here.
30 parcels of books were transferred from PrintShop's Jordan office to my home in Temple Street by A-Choi and his all-purpose trolley

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

1 Kings 20-21: King Ahab wanted the vineyard of Naboth, but Naboth refused to sell his ancestral inheritance. Ahab's wife Jezebel then had Naboth murdered and Ahab took the vineyard. The prophet Elijah  confronted Ahab for his crime.
Ahab then repented of his crime.

Dear God, please help us respect other people's property

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 85: I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace. Peace for his people and his friends and those who turn to him in their hearts. His help is near for those who love him and his glory will dwell in our land. Mercy and faithfulness have met. Justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice shall look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosper and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps.
Lord, please give more peace to our world

Recording

 

1 Thessalonians 5.12-18: Respect your Christian leaders. Be at peace among yourselves. Warn idlers, give courage to people who are struggling, care for the weak, and be patient with everyone. Never try to take revenge. Focus on what is best for each other and for the community. For all things give thanks to God,
because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus.

Jesus, thank you for everything, even for unhappy things

Recording


Matthew 8.1-3: In Jesus' time, it was illegal for anyone to touch a leper, and it was illegal for lepers  to go near other people. But one day a leper broke the law. He came right up to Jesus and said "If you want to, you can heal me." Jesus also broke the law. He stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said "Of course I want to heal you. Be healed!" The man was healed immediately.
Jesus, I didn't know you were a law-breaker.  I guess this means that sometimes, in special cases, it's ok to break the law
Recording

 

Reflection on the above Bible readings:

In traditional Indian culture, one group of people had the name "untouchables". To Jesus, no one was an "untouchable". 

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

137: Recording Since everything is closely interrelated, and today's problems call for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis, I suggest that we now consider some elements of an integral ecology, one which clearly respects its human and social dimensions.

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

136: Recording  Let us renew our confidence in preaching, based on the conviction that it is God who seeks to reach out to others through the preacher, and that he displays his power through human words. 

Saint Paul speaks forcefully about the need to preach, since the Lord desires to reach other people by means of our word. By his words our Lord won over the hearts of the people; they came to hear him from all parts; they were amazed at his teachings, and they sensed that he spoke to them as one with authority. 

By their words the apostles, whom Christ established "to be with him and to be sent out to preach", brought ((all)) nations to the bosom of the Church.

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 To go with today's Gospel:

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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 3rd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Gansu

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 3rd of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Burundi

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

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Wed Aug 2

Why next week's Liberal Party showdown on marriage is a proxy for the soul of our nation

Having captured Labor, the rainbow political movement is now engaged in an intense battle for control of the soul of the conservative side of politics.

Unless something special happens, Australia will soon follow the US and Canada in a surrender to the LGBT agenda, with catastrophic ramifications for schools, universities, churches, hospitals etc ...as in this 26 min video:
What "gay marriage" did to Massachusetts 
同志婚姻自2004年立法後,美國麻省的改變 ( 廣東話附字幕版

This is a cultural typhoon ....we need to take urgent action....letters to politicians...prayer...fasting. This issue has worried me so much that yesterday I posted this letter to every one of the 150 members of the House of Representatives (soon to vote on the issue of same-sex marriage). Surely if most politicians watch the above video they will not vote for same-sex marriage. Other places in the firing line of the LGBT juggernaut - like HK - also need to take action now. Our representatives need to see the above video ....to know what's going on in the US. 

Leadership change for HK diocese

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  Chris McDonnell 

The marking of ground
The day of burial brings together family and friends to celebrate a life and determine a conclusion to this earthly pilgrimage

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

1 Kings 19:  Elijah once spent a night in a cave. The Lord then told him to stand at the mouth of the cave. Then there was a mighty wind that shattered trees and rocks. But the Lord was not in the wind. Then there was an earthquake. But the  Lord was not in the earthquake. Then there was a gentle breeze. And the Lord was in the breeze. Not long after this Elijah called Elisha to become his follower.
Dear Lord, please help us be aware of your presence in our lives

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 84: How lovely is your sacred temple, Lord. My heart is longing to spend time in your holy dwelling. Even sparrows and swallows are your temple guests. They build homes for their young near your altar. Blessed are the people who live and work in your temple. And blessed, too, are people who keep the memory of your temple in their hearts. As they go through the troubles of life, you give them strength to face the trials of each day. Lord, one day within your temple is better than a thousand anywhere else.
Dear God, thank you for special places of prayer

Recording

 

1 Thessalonians 5.1-11: The Lord's coming will not find us unprepared if we live a good life. You are not children of the night and of darkness. You are children of the light and of the day. Put on faith and love for a breastplate. Put on the hope of salvation for a helmet. Encourage one another. Strengthen one another.
Jesus, please help me be a person of
encouragement, not discouragement
Recording


Matthew 7.1-27: Jesus said to the people: Do not judge other people, and God will not judge you. It's so easy to be aware of other people's faults yet be blind to your own faults. Persevere in prayer. Ask and you will receive. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. You like to give good things to your children. God likes to give good things to you. Treat other people the way you would like them to treat you. Beware of bad leaders. A sure way to know if someone is good or bad: are their actions good or bad? If you put my words into practice, you are like someone who builds his house on rock. If you ignore my words, you are like someone who builds his house on sand.
Jesus, please help me put your words into practice
 
Recording

 

 Reflection on the above readings: 

The LGBT juggernaut is an attack on the very foundation of society - the family. As today's Gospel says, a faulty foundation means the collapse of a building.

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

136: Recording  On the other hand, it is troubling that, when some ecological movements defend the integrity of the environment, rightly demanding that certain limits be imposed on scientific research, they sometimes fail to apply those same principles to human life. 

There is a tendency to justify transgressing all boundaries when experimentation is carried out on living human embryos. 

We forget that the inalienable worth of a human being transcends his or her degree of development. 

In the same way, when technology disregards the great ethical principles, it ends up considering any practice whatsoever as licit.

As we have seen in this chapter, a technology severed from ethics will not easily be able to limit its own power.

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

135: Recording  Let us now look at preaching within the liturgy, which calls for serious consideration by pastors. I will dwell in particular, and even somewhat meticulously, on the homily and its preparation, since so many concerns have been expressed about this important ministry, and we cannot simply ignore them.

The homily is the touchstone for judging a pastor's closeness and ability to communicate to his people. We know that the faithful attach great importance to it, and that both they and their ordained ministers suffer because of homilies: the laity from having to listen to them and the clergy from having to preach them! 

It is sad that this is the case. The homily can actually be an intense and happy experience of the Spirit, a consoling encounter with God's word, a constant source of renewal and growth.

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 Q: The tombstone of which famous comedian has the words 'I told you I was ill' ?!
       A: See article by Chris McDonnell, above

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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 2nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Fujian

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 2nd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Niger

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

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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

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Gay marriage: an elephant in the room (by John W)

Video: What "gay marriage" did to Massachusetts 
同志婚姻自2004年立法後,美國麻省的改變 ( 廣東話附字幕版)

  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?"

 

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Pope's surprise visit to drug treatment centre

Pope is practising what he preaches: "get out and mix with the poor"

 

HK readers might like to join me in praying each day for one group of HK prison inmates: Sun: Lo Wu; Mon: C.I.C., Siu Lam, Tai Lam; Tue: Stanley Wed:  Hei Ling Chau   Thu: Lantau 
Fri: Lai Chi Kok       Sat: Hospitals, Pik Uk & other centres


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This website was launched  in construction mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ the King. The official launching  was held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20, 2012. Map and Flag Counter began Feb 11, 2012.  Previous visits 4,932. Note: counter on this page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this main/index page. Visits to other pages and to Facebook page are not recorded. This site's 2017 statistics. Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!                          counter for tumblr    

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 Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡 頌 恆 神 父   
 jdwomi@gmail.com  HK mobile  +852- 67095674
 China mobile +86-13828421861 -  (only when in China)
PO Box 74013 Kowloon Central Post Office, Hong Kong                      

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