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 Oct 3

DHs' monthly pay raised by $100, food allowance by $16; workers call it insult
(This confirms the belief of many people: the only way to get the heartless HK govt bureacracy to move on any social issue is by media pressure) 

 

Archbishop Hon transferred from Vatican to Greece
Hong Kong-born archbishop was the only high-ranking Chinese official in the Roman Curia.

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

Matthew 25.31-46 (a): Jesus said to his disciples: When I come in glory at the end of the world, all peoples of all times will be gathered in front of me. I will separate them, like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. I will place the sheep on my right, the goats on my left. I will say to those on my right "Come and enter my kingdom. For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you made me welcome. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to see me". 
My recording of this reading

 

Matthew 25.31-46 (b): Then those good people on my right will say "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, naked and clothe you, sick or in prison, and visit you?" I will answer "Each time  you helped and cared for a poor person, you helped and cared for me".
Recording

 

Matthew 25.31-46 (c): Then I will say to those on my left  "Go away from me and join Satan and his angels in hell. For I was hungry, and you never gave me food. I was thirsty, and you never gave me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you never made me welcome, naked, and you never clothed me, sick and in prison, and you never visited me".
Recording

 

Matthew 25.31-46 (d): Those on my left will then ask "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?" I will answer "Each time you refused to help and care for a poor person, you refused to help and care for me". Those on the left will then go to eternal punishment. Those on the right will go to eternal life.
Jesus, please help me do more for poor people. Make me understand that when I help a poor person, I help you

Recording

Reflection on the above readings:

Half way through processing the above pieces from Mt. 25, I was called late last night to Queen Elizabeth Hospital to put the above words into practice ....to visit a 70 year old man who is dying .... turns out he was a CSD staff member ...so I felt like he was "family". Jesus, please bless him!

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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 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, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

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Mon Oct 2

Most HK people, even many community leaders, are still not aware of the damage done in North America, Europe and other places by the cultural typhoon that is the LGBT radical agenda ...as described in the articles linked here

 

The HK government currently is holding a consultation on the same-sex marriage issue. The consultation document is here. The consulation closes on October 31. Yesterday I emailed my submission:

Dear Secretary, Please see the articles linked here to check what has happened in other places once "same-sex marriage" has been legalised: http://www.v2catholic.com/ssm/ These articles show how the legalisation of "same-sex marriage" has had a most divisive effect on many societies. I sincerely hope that Hong Kong can be spared this societal conflict .....we already have enough problems...we don't need more. As a teacher I especially hope that HK schools can be spared from being forced to impose the LGBT agenda on their students....as has already happened in so many countries. May the traditional family values of Confucian culture be protected from the cultural typhoon that has devastated so many parts of the world. Thanking you sincerely ...

I hope many HK readers will likewise email a submission ....for the sake of our society

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South China Morning Post Sep 30 photo of Sep 29 Spirit of HK Awards - with Chief Executive Carrie Lam

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

Readings - c.f. Feast of the Guardian Angels

Exodus 23: The Lord says this: "I myself will send an angel before you to guard you as you go and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Give him reverence and listen to all that he says. Offer him no defiance; he would not pardon such a fault, for my name is in him. If you listen carefully to his voice and do all that I say, I shall be enemy to your enemies, foe to your foes. My angel will go before you." 
My recording of this reading

 

 

Psalm 91: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High says to the Lord "you are my refuge in whom I trust". The Lord will hide you and protect you. Under his wings you will find refuge. You will not fear any night time terror, nor any attack during the day. Upon you no evil shall fall, no plague approach where you dwell. For you has he commanded his angels to keep you safe in all your ways.
Recording


 

Acts 12: When Peter was rescued from prison, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark where people were praying for him, thinking he was still in prison. A servant girl opened the door when Peter knocked. She ran inside to tell the group that Peter was at the door. The group did not believe Peter was there. One of them said  "it must be his angel". Eventually they opened the door and Peter described how an angel had rescued him from prison. 
Recording

 

   

Matthew 18.1: The disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, "I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven."

Recording


Reflection on the above readings:

I recommend this little prayer which I've said each morning and night for 60 years:
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day (night) be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

 

Today is also the feast day of the inspiring African saint St Josephina Bakhita

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

190: Listen  Here too, it should always be kept in mind that "environmental protection cannot be assured solely on the basis of financial calculations of costs and benefits. The environment is one of those goods that cannot be adequately safeguarded or promoted by market forces".

Once more, we need to reject a magical conception of the market, which would suggest that problems can be solved simply by an increase in the profits of companies or individuals. 

Is it realistic to hope that those who are obsessed with maximizing profits will stop to reflect on the environmental damage which they will leave behind for future generations? 

Where profits alone count, there can be no thinking about the rhythms of nature, its phases of decay and regeneration, or the complexity of ecosystems which may be gravely upset by human intervention. 

Moreover, biodiversity is considered at most a deposit of economic resources available for exploitation, with no serious thought for the real value of things, their significance for persons and cultures, or the concerns and needs of the poor.

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

179a: Listen  This inseparable bond between our acceptance of the message of salvation and genuine fraternal love appears in several scriptural texts which we would do well to meditate upon, in order to appreciate all their consequences. 

The message is one which we often take for granted, and can repeat almost mechanically, without necessarily ensuring that it has a real effect on our lives and in our communities.

How dangerous and harmful this is, for it makes us lose our amazement, our excitement and our zeal for living the Gospel of fraternity and justice! 

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  Today in HK is a public holiday for National Day (Oct 1). Thursday is a public holiday for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Might be above-average absenteeism tomorrow and Wednesday as people take a long break (starting last Saturday)? 

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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 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,
Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Sun Oct 1

Photos here of yesterday's blessing and opening of the Mercy Centre on Cheung Chau Island for homeless people. Thank you Jesus for a really blessed day .... starting with the miraculous way the weather fined up just as our group arrived at Cheung Chau!


Sep 29 South China Morning Post Spirit of HK Awards - my little speech asking HK govt to support my anti-drug campaign is the last 2-3 mins of this video (video starts after 20 seconds)

 

 

 'Close to genocide' San Juan mayor's dire appeal to US for Puerto Rico relief

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

c.f. readings for Sun 26

Ezekiel 12-18: Ezekiel spoke God's message for the false prophets: "You have misled my people. You have not bothered to protect my people". Ezekiel also called on the people to stop their idolatry. He reminded them how to follow the Lord: A good person is law-abiding and honest; a good person oppresses no one, never steals; a good person gives food and clothing to the poor. "God takes no delight in the death of a sinner. God hopes the sinner will renounce wickedness and live."
Lord, please help me to avoid evil ..... and do more good

My recording of this reading

 

Psalms 24-26: The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples. It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe. May all hearts open their doors to the Lord. Let him enter, the king of glory. Lord I hope in you all the day long. Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth. 
God my savior, teach me your way of truth

Listen

 

Philippians 1.27 - 2.4: Avoid anything in your everyday lives that would be unworthy of the Good News of Christ. Be united in your convictions, and united in your love. There must be no competition among you, no conceit. Everyone should be self-effacing. Always regard others as better than yourself. Put others interests before your own. 
Jesus, help me say "no" to anything unworthy of your Good News

Listen

 

 

Matthew 21.28-32: Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, "My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today." He answered, "I will not go," but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, "Certainly, sir," but did not go. Which of the two did the father's will?' 'The first' they said. Jesus said to them, 'I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.'

 

 Reflection on the above readings: 


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

189b: Listen  The financial crisis of 2007-08 provided an opportunity to develop a new economy, more attentive to ethical principles, and new ways of regulating speculative financial practices and virtual wealth. 

But the response to the crisis did not include rethinking the outdated criteria which continue to rule the world.

Production is not always rational, and is usually tied to economic variables which assign to products a value that does not necessarily correspond to their real worth.

This frequently leads to an overproduction of some commodities, with unnecessary impact on the environment and with negative results on regional economies.

The financial bubble also tends to be a productive bubble. 

The problem of the real economy is not confronted with vigour, yet it is the real economy which makes diversification and improvement in production possible, helps companies to function well, and enables small and medium businesses to develop and create employment.

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

178d: Listen  The very mystery of the Trinity reminds us that we have been created in the image of that divine communion, and so we cannot achieve fulfilment or salvation purely by our own efforts.

From the heart of the Gospel we see the profound connection between evangelization and human advancement, which must necessarily find expression and develop in every work of evangelization.

 Accepting the first proclamation, which invites us to receive God’s love and to love him in return with the very love which is his gift, brings forth in our lives and actions a primary and fundamental response: to desire, seek and protect the good of others.

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10 years ago today:

After BoB at home of HK Rosa & Magdalene - with group from HK Kwai Chung + Trudy & David from Australia

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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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  Last night I learnt how to save a video from Facebook (from site of South China Morning Post):  Change "www" to "m". Then click the Play icon on the video to start playing the video. Then right-click on the video and select Save video as... 

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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 1st of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Anhui

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 1st of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Congo

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 Sep 30

Thank you Jesus! Today at midday, HK Vicar General Rev Dominic Chan is due to bless and open our new shelter for homeless people: The Mercy Centre 善樂舍. The shelter is operated by a coming NGO - MercyHK - whose core members are Tony Chan, Lucia Leung and I. Many thanks to so many kind people who have supported our work. And...more good news...as of yesterday afternoon, our website is now "up": www.mercyhk.org  God is good!

 

Report on last night's South China Morning Post Spirit of HK Awards


Recommended by a reader in Australia - with lyrics:
Christ Be Our Light

 
Q: What does Pope say about "saving (no pun intended) banks at any cost"? 
A: See 189, below

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

Judith 12: Holofernes allowed Judith and her maid to stay in a special tent each night, and each morning to go to a spring near Bethulia to wash and pray. After 3 days, Holofernes held a banquet for his staff. He invited Judith to the banquet with the aim of seducing her. Holofernes was so captivated by Judith's beauty that he kept on drinking wine until he was drunk. All the while Judith kept praying to God for strength and help. 
Dear God, please give me a bit more of Judith's faith and courage

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 133: How good and how pleasant it is when people live in unity. It is like precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard. It is like the dew of Hermon which falls on the heights of Zion. For there the Lord gives his blessing, life for ever. 
Dear Lord, please help all the peoples of the world  to live as one family, in unity.

Listen

 

Hebrews 11.1 - 12.15: Only faith can keep us going. Only faith helped Abraham and other famous people in the Scriptures to keep going. So many of them were weak people who were given strength by God, to be brave when life became difficult. With so many witnesses in a great cloud all around us, we too should keep running in the race we have started. We should get rid of everything that slows us down. Keep focusing on Jesus. He is running beside us. His example going to the cross gives us courage. Try to live at peace with everyone. Don't let any seed of bitterness begin to grown and make trouble. This can poison a whole community. 
Jesus, help me remember your presence in my heart

Listen



Matthew 24.9-44: Jesus spoke to his disciples about the future: "On account of my name you will be hated, tortured and killed. But the Good News of the kingdom will spread to every nation before the end of the world. At the end of the world, the sun and moon will stop shining. Stars will fall from the sky. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all peoples will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and glory. He will send his angels with a loud trumpet to gather good people from all parts of the earth. Therefore you should live a good life, and you will have nothing to fear on your last day."
Jesus, please help me be a good person 

Listen

 

Reflection on the above readings:

If/when we are ridiculed/persecuted (Gospel), let's try to stay focused on Jesus (Hebrews), united with other believers (Psalm), imitating the faith and courage of Judith 

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

189a: Listen Politics must not be subject to the economy, nor should the economy be subject to the dictates of an efficiency-driven paradigm of technocracy.

Today, in view of the common good, there is urgent need for politics and economics to enter into a frank dialogue in the service of life, especially human life.

Saving banks at any cost, making the public pay the price, foregoing a firm commitment to reviewing and reforming the entire system, only reaffirms the absolute power of a financial system, a power which has no future and will only give rise to new crises after a slow, costly and only apparent recovery

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

178c: Listen  To believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in everyone means realizing that he seeks to penetrate every human situation and all social bonds:

"The Holy Spirit can be said to possess an infinite creativity, proper to the divine mind, which knows how to loosen the knots of human affairs, even the most complex and inscrutable".

Evangelization is meant to cooperate with this liberating work of the Spirit. 

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 Yesterday I was at the High Court for the case of a South American man whose name includes "Rafael".....on the Feast Day of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Rafael! And the kind judge gave Rafael (the man, not the angel) a discount of 6 months for taking part in my anti-drug campaign. Thank you Archangel Rafael! .....and ...last night at the South China Morning Post's Spirit of HK Awards, one of the recipients was named Rafael!

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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 30th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanghai & Tianjin

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 30th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Haiti & Nepal

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

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Fri Sep 29

Prison is an inevitable part of HK's exhausting path to democracy 
by 20 year old Joshua Wong, an inmate at Pik Uk Correctional Institution, Hong Kong 

 

Nationwide prayer initiative to preserve marriage

 

ARE YOU WONDERING WHY SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS A BIG DEAL?
- three short videos by a former gay man

Update from Australian Chinese for Families Association:
爱?平等?宽容? - Love? Equality? Tolerance?

 

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

Readings for Feast of the angels
Michael, Gabriel, Raphael

Tobit 12 (Raphael): When Tobit's banquet was finished, Tobit wanted to thank Raphael for all his help. Only then did Raphael tell Tobit and Tobias that he was an angel sent by God to help them. "I am Raphael, one of the 7 angels who stand ever ready to enter the presence of the glory of the Lord. Never tire of giving God thanks. And never tire of helping the poor." Raphael farewelled them, rose in the air, and left them. They praised and thanked God for all he had done for them.
Dear God, thank you for all your love, all your blessings

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 138: I thank you, Lord, with all my heart. You have heard the words of my mouth. With the angels I will bless you. I will adore you in your holy temple. I thank you for your faithfulness and love which are far above what we can understand. On the day I called you answered. You increased the strength of my soul. All earth's kings shall thank you when they hear the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the Lord's ways: "How great is the glory of the Lord!" 
Lord, when we remember how much you love us and help us, every day of the year is a Thanksgiving Day
Recording


Revelation 12 (Michael):
Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought the dragon and his angels. Michael won. Satan and his followers were driven out of heaven. The great dragon, the serpent, known as the Devil or Satan, was hurled down to earth. His angels were hurled down with him. The dragon began to make war on the children of the Woman - those who obey God and bear witness to Jesus.
Jesus, may your holy angels protect us from Satan

Recording

 

Luke 1 (Gabriel): In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary who was betrothed to a man named Joseph. The angel said to her "Mary, Rejoice! You have been greatly blessed by God. You are to conceive and have a son whom you must name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God". Mary said to the angel, "How can this happen since I am a virgin?" The angel replied "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will specially bless you. Know this too: your cousin Elizabeth has, in her old age, conceived a son, and is now in her sixth  month". "I am the handmaid of the Lord", said Mary, "let what you have said, be done for me".  And the angel left her.
God the Son, thank you for becoming a baby in Mary's womb
Recording


Reflection on the above Bible readings:

Notice how the names Raphael, Michael and Gabriel all end in "el" which means "God"! 
When we are sick: we can ask Raphael ("Medicine of God") to pray for us. When we are in danger, we can ask Michael ("Who is like God") to pray for us. When we feel powerless and weak, we can ask Gabriel ("God is my strength) to pray for us.

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

 188: Listen  There are certain environmental issues where it is not easy to achieve a broad consensus.

Here I would state once more that the Church does not presume to settle scientific questions or to replace politics.

But I am concerned to encourage an honest and open debate so that particular interests or ideologies will not prejudice the common good.

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

178b: Listen   Our redemption has a social dimension because "God, in Christ, redeems not only the individual person, but also the social relations existing between people"

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10 years ago today:

David & Trudy from Australia: Xinxing, Zhaoqing, Yunfu leper center

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 Yesterday I attended an encouraging meeting with a legal team ....using information obtained from my recent visit to Kuala Lumpur....to help some inmates soon to have their cases heard in court

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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 29th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Chongqing

And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
 
On this 29th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mauritania

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

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Thu Sep 28

Email yesterday from South China Morning Post re Spirit of HK Awards:

Good morning Father John, Hope you are well. 

 

For this Friday's dinner , we will have a short Facebook Live segment for revealing the People's Choice Award. We see that you have a very high chance of winning the award (thank you to your supporters!), would you like to tell your friends and supporters to watch it live on FB? The award will be announced at around 9.15pm.

 

You may wish to like and follow our Facebook page in advance https://www.facebook.com/scmp/ so that a notification will pop up at that time to remind you of the FB Live. You may then share the Live FB post to your friends.

 

Thanks so much and see you this Friday!

 

Regards,

Ellen

 

Ellen Yeung

 

Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibilities

South China Morning Post

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M
arch 8 email from a kind lawyer who supports my anti-drug campaign:

Dear John,
I am working with Paul Zimmerman , Southern District Councillor and CEO of Designing Hong Kong on various matters. He asked me recently to nominate people for the above awards. I think the good work you are doing is worthy of an award and I would like to nominate you. Are you willing for your name to be put forward?
Kind regards ......

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Yesterday I voted in the "same-sex marriage" ballot:

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

Judith 11: Judith was very clever when she spoke to Holofernes. She told him that the Jews would be abandoned by God if they broke God's laws. She said that the Jews planned to break God's laws in a few days by eating consecrated foods. She said she would monitor the situation each day and let Holofernes know when the Jews were abandoned by God and ready to be attacked by Holofernes. Judith's words and beauty won over Holofernes and his staff and they agreed to her suggestions.
Dear God, please give us wisdom and tact for dealing with difficult people
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice. If you, O Lord, should  record our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness. For this we revere you. My soul is waiting for the Lord. I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for the daybreak. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Israel indeed he will redeem from all its  iniquity. 
Lord, please forgive me for all the bad things I have done
Listen

 

Hebrews 10.32-39: Remember all the suffering you experienced after you became  Christians - the insults and violence, the loss of your possessions. Don't give up now. Keep going in your Christian life. You and I are not the sort of people who give up. We are the sort of people who stay faithful until our souls are saved.
Jesus, help me keep going, despite difficulties

Listen


 

Matthew 23.1-36: Jesus told the people to respect their religious leaders, but he condemned the religious leaders: -  for not practising what they preached; for doing things just to attract attention; for craving front seats and places of honor; for being concerned only with externals. Jesus called the religious leaders  "hypocrites", "blind guides", "tombs that look good on the outside but are full of dead bones".
Jesus, help religious leaders be good people

Listen

Reflection on the above Bible readings:

Hebrews says "don't give up". Judith was someone who didn't give up ...even as she longed for God's help like a watchman longing for daybreak. May the Lord give us a bit more of Judith's courage (and cleverness!)

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

187: Listen This does not mean being opposed to any technological innovations which can bring about an improvement in the quality of life.

But it does mean that profit cannot be the sole criterion to be taken into account, and that, when significant new information comes to light, a reassessment should be made, with the involvement of all interested parties. 

The outcome may be a decision not to proceed with a given project, to modify it or to consider alternative proposals.

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

178a: Listen  To believe in a Father who loves all men and women with an infinite love means realizing that "he thereby confers upon them an infinite dignity".

To believe that the Son of God assumed our human flesh means that each human person has been taken up into the very heart of God. 

To believe that Jesus shed his blood for us removes any doubt about the boundless love which ennobles each human being.

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10 years ago today:

David & Trudy from Australia - in downtown Zhaoqing, at Ricci School, at Ng Chuen & Xinxiao schools  + meal with Mrs Zhang

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 Yesterday morning I attended two cases at the High Court - wearing my wig for the first one ...to keep warm. One friendly barrister I know ...wearing his wig.... asked me "what are you wearing a wig for?" I said something about keeping warm....(very cold air-conditioning gave me a cold a few weeks ago). 

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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 28th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Beijing

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 28th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Lesotho

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

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Wed Sep 27

Today is the feast day of one of my favourite saints - Vincent de Paul. He had a great love for prisoners ....because he had been one

 

Hospitals in crisis as Middle Eastern countries poach medical staff

 

Has Canada Really Changed since Marriage was Redefined?

 

Doctors and other professionals praising new book: The Health Hazards of Homosexuality

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  Chris McDonnell 

In the poverty of the Christ
Early in his ministry as Bishop of Rome, Francis put the principle of a Church of the Poor at the forefront of his teaching. A Church that is poor, speaking to those who are poor. A Church of the Poor that preaches through an example of poverty is indeed recognisable as the Church of Christ.

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

Judith 10:  Judith put on her most beautiful clothes and jewelry. Then she and her maid headed for the Assyrian camp. She told the Assyrian soldiers that she was fleeing from Bethulia since it would soon be attacked. She said she wanted to give Holofernes some important information. The soldiers took her to meet Holofernes.
Dear God, please give us the courage of Judith

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 128: O blessed are those who love the Lord and walk in his ways. By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper: your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed the people who love and honor the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life. May you see your children's children in a happy Jerusalem! On Israel, peace!
Dear Lord, may all married people live to see their children's children
Listen

 

Hebrews 10.21-25: Jesus is the supreme High Priest of the whole house of God. As we enter that house, let us have sincere hearts that are filled with faith and hope. Let us be concerned for each other, encouraging each other to do good. Do not stay away from the meetings as some people do, but encourage each other to attend. 
Jesus, may my life encourage others to do good
Listen


Matthew 22.34-40: In Jerusalem a religious leader asked Jesus "Which is the most important commandment?" Jesus replied "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart. And you must care as much about others as you care about yourself. These are the two most important commandments. All other commandments depend on these two."
Jesus, please help me love you with all my heart and care for others as much as I care about myself

 
Listen

 

 Reflection on the above readings: 

The article by Chris McDonnell, above, is a really excellent reflection on today's Gospel!

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

186: Listen  The Rio Declaration of 1992 states that "where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a pretext for postponing cost-effective measures" which prevent environmental degradation.

This precautionary principle makes it possible to protect those who are most vulnerable and whose ability to defend their interests and to assemble incontrovertible evidence is limited.

If objective information suggests that serious and irreversible damage may result, a project should be halted or modified, even in the absence of indisputable proof. 

Here the burden of proof is effectively reversed, since in such cases objective and conclusive demonstrations will have to be brought forward to demonstrate that the proposed activity will not cause serious harm to the environment or to those who inhabit it.

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

177: Listen  The kerygma has a clear social content: at the very heart of the Gospel is life in community and engagement with others. The content of the first proclamation has an immediate moral implication centred on charity

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10 years ago today:

Visit to The Canadian-American School (CAS) by David & Trudy from Australia and Fr David o.m.i. from HK/USA

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 Anti-govt messages hidden inside free mooncakes

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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 27th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Tibet

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 27th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Uganda

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today,
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 ( The Last Run)

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Australian Chinese for Families Association

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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