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 24

At Lo Wu prison yesterday, I learnt that two Drug Lords, a man and a woman, have recently been arrested in Sao Paolo, Brazil, because of information put on my website - here. Woman in Lo Wu said that Brazil police phoned her (in the HK prison! ...most, most unusual!) to tell her about the arrests and the roll of the website. Thak you Jesus! (and hopefully these arrests will help the dear lady to qualify for a reduced sentence).

I found this most interesting:
David Pawson - Romans

 

My article in today's Ming Pao newspaper has the topic: Memo to CE: Dear Mrs Lam. It is on Ming Pao website - click "Australian in HK". Text without recording

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

1 Maccabees 7: Some Jews who were disloyal to Judas joined with supporters of the new king, Demetrius, to plot the overthrow of Judas. Nicanor, one of the king's generals, was sent to defeat Judas and exterminate the Jews. But when the battle took place, Nicanor himself died and his army was routed. Once again the land experienced peace for a while.
Dear God, please protect us from people who are disloyal

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 1: Happy the person who avoids evil and evil entertainment. Happy the person who reads and meditates on God's words. Such a person is like a tree planted beside a river, getting plenty of nourishment, bearing plenty of fruit. Such a person is on the Way of Life. People who do evil are on the Way of Death. 
Dear Lord, please help me do good and avoid evil
Listen

 

James 5.13-18: If one of you is in trouble, pray. If you are happy, sing a psalm. If someone is sick, send for the elders of the church. They must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and pray over him. The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another,
and this will heal you. The heartfelt prayer of a good person is very powerful. Elijah prayed for rain, and rain came.

Jesus, please help sick people have the opportunity to receive the "Anointing of the Sick"

Listen


Mark 1.1-8: This is the story of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Long ago God said through the prophet Isaiah "I am going to send my messenger before you. He will prepare your way. A voice cries out in the wilderness: prepare a way for the Lord". And so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism for the forgiveness of sins. As the people were baptized by John in the river Jordan, they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel skin. Locusts and wild honey were his food. He said to the people "Someone is coming who is more important than I am. I am not worthy to kneel down and undo his sandal straps. I baptize you with water. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit".
Jesus, please help us prepare a way for you like John the Baptist

Listen

Reflection on the above readings:

How can I be a bit more like John the Baptist....preparing a way for Jesus? By resolutely giving time to Bible reflection each day ...thereby being like a nourished tree (Psalm 1) which bears much fruit.

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

 

211a: Listen Yet this education, aimed at creating an "ecological citizenship", is at times limited to providing information, and fails to instil good habits. 

The existence of laws and regulations is insufficient in the long run to curb bad conduct, even when effective means of enforcement are present. 

If the laws are to bring about significant, long-lasting effects, the majority of the members of society must be adequately motivated to accept them, and personally transformed to respond.

Only by cultivating sound virtues will people be able to make a selfless ecological commitment.

A person who could afford to spend and consume more but regularly uses less heating and wears warmer clothes, shows the kind of convictions and attitudes which help to protect the environment.

 

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

191: Listen  In all places and circumstances, Christians, with the help of their pastors, are called to hear the cry of the poor.

This has been eloquently stated by the bishops of Brazil : "We wish to take up daily the joys and hopes, the difficulties and sorrows of the Brazilian people, especially of those living in the barrios and the countryside - landless, homeless, lacking food and health care - to the detriment of their rights.

Seeing their poverty, hearing their cries and knowing their sufferings, we are scandalized because we know that there is enough food for everyone and that hunger is the result of a poor distribution of goods and income. The problem is made worse by the generalized practice of wastefulness".

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Interactive Bible Quiz - 2 Kings
Based on the actual words of the Bible. 
How many times can you get 3/3 ?!  

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 Seen on Metro on T-shirt yesterday: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" ....c.f. Psalm 104: "you give us wine to cheer our hearts"

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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 24th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Inner Mongolia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Zambia

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

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Mon Oct 23

At last night's function for the poor at St Paul's Yau Ma Tei it was lovely to see a large group of students from nearby Newman College singing for the poor ...and then serving the poor. Also among the volunteers was a kind group from the Legion of Mary who looked after the brief Bible sharing. One LoM lady, on her first ever visit, said she came close to tears at the sight of 200 poor people using the Simple Bible and reading along with her.

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

1 Maccabees 5-6: As the years went on, several nearby countries made war on Israel. But Judas and his followers used prayer and courage to defeat all enemies. When King Antiochus heard of Judas' continued victories, he became severely depressed and realized he was dying. The king's son succeeded him and he too sent a huge army against Israel. This army also failed to defeat Judas. The king then made peace with the Jews and for a time there was peace.
Dear God, please help all nations to live in peace

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 149-150: Sing a new song to the Lord. Let the praise of God be always on our lips. Praise God in his holy temple. Praise him in the heavens. O praise him with sound of trumpet. Praise him with lute and harp. Praise him with drums and dancing. Praise him with strings and pipes. Let everything that lives and breathes, give praise to the Lord our Creator.  Alleluia!
Lord, to you we say every day "Allelu-ia" ("praise God")

Listen

 

James 5.1-6: Are you rich and powerful? Then start weeping for the miseries that are coming your way. Your wealth is rotting, your clothes are being eaten by moths. And your body also will soon be corroding in a burning fire. You cheated your workers. You lived a life of luxury without any care for people who were suffering. You condemned and killed the innocent
Jesus, give uncaring rich and powerful people a change of heart
Listen


Matthew 28.1-15: Jesus died on Friday afternoon. Early on Sunday morning, two women went to Jesus' tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, and an angel from heaven came and rolled away the big stone at the tomb's entrance. The guards at the tomb were terrified of the angel. The angel said to the women "Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Go and tell his disciples he has risen from the dead and will see them in Galilee". The women were filled with joy and ran to tell this news to the disciples. As they left the tomb area, Jesus himself appeared to them and said  "Do not be afraid. Go and tell the disciples they must go to Galilee. They will see me there". 
Lord Jesus, by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world.

Listen

 

Reflection on the above readings:

How can we stop exploitation of the rich by the poor? (..James, above). I guess the first step is to see if anything I do involves exploitation of the poor ....e.g. the food and other goods I buy ....was anything made with slave/exploited labor? As Pope Francis says "every purchase is a moral decision as well as an economic decision"

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

210: Listen  Environmental education has broadened its goals. Whereas in the beginning it was mainly centred on scientific information, consciousness-raising and the prevention of environmental risks, it tends now to include a critique of the "myths" of a modernity grounded in a utilitarian mindset (individualism, unlimited progress, competition, consumerism, the unregulated market).

It seeks also to restore the various levels of ecological equilibrium, establishing harmony within ourselves, with others, with nature and other living creatures, and with God.

Environmental education should facilitate making the leap towards the transcendent which gives ecological ethics its deepest meaning.

It needs educators capable of developing an ethics of ecology, and helping people, through effective pedagogy, to grow in solidarity, responsibility and compassionate care

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

190b: Listen  With due respect for the autonomy and culture of every nation, we must never forget that the planet belongs to all mankind and is meant for all mankind; the mere fact that some people are born in places with fewer resources or less development does not justify the fact that they are living with less dignity.

It must be reiterated that "the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others".

To speak properly of our own rights, we need to broaden our perspective and to hear the plea of peoples and regions other than those of our own country. We need to grow in a solidarity which "would allow all peoples to become the artisans of their destiny", since "every person is called to self-fulfilment"

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10 years ago today:

Word Bingo at Marco Polo Center + plan for prominent artist Wang Sa Yang to have studio at Marco Polo

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  At last night's function for the poor, I passed around to kind visiting volunteer secondary students a little baby girl who attends our functions with her mother. Boys did better than girls at holding the baby!

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

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

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

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

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Sun Oct 22

I spent most of yesterday at the desk/computer, preparing half a dozen support letters for inmates soon to be be sentenced at the High Court. I "do more time" at the computer so inmates can "do less time" in detention. Amazing to think that one letter can help someone get 6 months off their sentence. Thank you Jesus!

 

Gender madness in sport (scroll down for lady in red)

 

  And more madness:
UK Pays for Transgender Teens to Freeze Sperm and Eggs Before Sex Change Surgery

 

To stop the madness spreading to HK, Bishop Ha is asking people to send response to govt survey: 

2017-10-13-Bp-Ha.jpg (175421 bytes) Consultation-01.jpg (142944 bytes)

Responses need to be sent by October 31 to: iwggr@doj.gov.hk 

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

 

Xi Jinping looms as China's first dictator since Mao Zedong

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

c.f. readings for Mission Sunday

Isaiah 2: In the days to come, the mountain of the Lord's Temple will be specially blessed. All the nations will come to it and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths". When they learn the ways of the Lord, then the nations will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war. O House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Lord, please help world leaders do more for peace in our world

My recording of this reading

 

 

Psalm 98: Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand has brought salvation. The Lord has made known his salvation. He has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy. Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music. Let the sea, the world and all peoples acclaim the King, the Lord. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the Lord, for he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness.
Lord, may all peoples in all countries know your love and goodness

Listen

 

Romans 10.9 & 11.33-36: If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved How wonderful is God!  How great his wisdom and knowledge. What finite creature could ever understand the mind of our infinite Creator? All that exists comes from him. To him be glory for ever!
Jesus, Father, Spirit - three persons, one God  - to you be glory for ever!
Listen


Matthew 28.16-20: The 11 apostles went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him in worship. Jesus said to them "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to understand and live according to my words. And know that I am with you always, yes, to the end of time". 
Jesus, "God-with-us", please help us live our lives according to your teaching ....and thank you, Matthew, for this beautiful Gospel Report
Listen

 

 Reflection on the above readings: 

Pope Francis' Message for Mission Sunday 2017


Video commentary on today's readings (Sunday 29) - 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

209: Listen  An awareness of the gravity of today's cultural and ecological crisis must be translated into new habits.

Many people know that our current progress and the mere amassing of things and pleasures are not enough to give meaning and joy to the human heart, yet they feel unable to give up what the market sets before them. 

In those countries which should be making the greatest changes in consumer habits, young people have a new ecological sensitivity and a generous spirit, and some of them are making admirable efforts to protect the environment.

At the same time, they have grown up in a milieu of extreme consumerism and affluence which makes it difficult to develop other habits. We are faced with an educational challenge.

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

190a: Listen  Sometimes it is a matter of hearing the cry of entire peoples, the poorest peoples of the earth, since "peace is founded not only on respect for human rights, but also on respect for the rights of peoples"

Sadly, even human rights can be used as a justification for an inordinate defense of individual rights or the rights of the richer peoples

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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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  Yesterday's Caulfield Cup was won by the least fancied horse - the last will be first

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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 22nd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 22nd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Rwanda

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

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Sat Oct 21

Yesterday morning I had a very unpleasant experience at the High Court about which I can't say much. I've sent a letter to the appropriate authority expressing my concerns.

 

This is what happens after "same-sex marriage" is legalised: The new normal. This is what little eyes are seeing at a Toronto subway station on the country's busiest train line

 

Click here for daily posts at my new Facebook site, FamilyHK, edited by a kind friend in HK

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

1 Maccabees 4: The army of Antiochus was led by Gorgias and had 40,000 men. Judas and his men numbered only 3,000. Judas implored God for help and then fought bravely. The army of Gorgias was routed. The next year another force, numbering 60,000 men, was sent against Judas who had 10,000 men. Once again by prayer and courage, Judas was victorious. Judas gave thanks to God, and then went to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem Judas re-dedicated the Temple and re-built the city walls. 
Dear God, please give me the courage of Judas

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 148: Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. Praise him all his angels, praise him all his spirits. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, shining stars. Let them praise the name of the Lord. His word gave life to all of them. Praise the Lord from the earth, sea creatures and all oceans. Praise him fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy winds that obey his word. Praise him all mountains and hills, all fruit trees and cedars. Praise him all animals, wild and tame,
reptiles and birds in the air. Praise him all earth's kings and peoples, earth's princes and rulers. Praise him young men and maidens, old people together with children. Let them praise the name of the Lord. He is the praise of all who love him.

Lord our God and Creator, you are worthy of all praise

Listen

 

James 4.13-15: Avoid talking like this: "Tomorrow I'm going to another town, to do business there for a year". You don't know what will happen tomorrow. You are no more than a mist that is here for a little while, then disappears. What you should say is: "If it's the Lord's will, tomorrow I'm going to another town for a year". 
Jesus, help me to remember to say to people: "God willing, I will see you next month" or "Please God, I will see you next month", rather than just "I'll see you next month"

Listen



Matthew 27.57-66: Joseph from Arimathaea was a rich man who had become a disciple of Jesus. After Jesus died on Friday, he asked Governor Pilate for Jesus' body. Joseph wrapped the body in a clean burial cloth and put it in his own new tomb in a rock cave. He then put a large stone at the cave's entrance. The next day, Saturday,  the religious leaders went to Pilate and said "This imposter said he would rise from the dead after 3 days. Therefore you should secure the tomb in case his disciples steal the body and say he has risen from the dead". Pilate gave them a guard and told them to secure the tomb. The guards took up their position at the tomb and seals were put on the entrance stone.
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal life to all who have died

Listen

 

Reflection on the above readings:

Judas was in a hopeless situation against Gorgias. Jesus was in a hopeless situation in the tomb. But "hopeless" is not God's dictionary! And it shouldn't be in ours. No situation is hopeless once we hand it over to God. As Pope Francis often says: the Holy Spirit can untie even the most tangled knot!

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

208: Listen We are always capable of going out of ourselves towards the other.

Unless we do this, other creatures will not be recognized for their true worth; we are unconcerned about caring for things for the sake of others; we fail to set limits on ourselves in order to avoid the suffering of others or the deterioration of our surroundings.

Disinterested concern for others, and the rejection of every form of self-centeredness and self-absorption, are essential if we truly wish to care for our brothers and sisters and for the natural environment.

These attitudes also attune us to the moral imperative of assessing the impact of our every action and personal decision on the world around us.

If we can overcome individualism, we will truly be able to develop a different lifestyle and bring about significant changes in society.

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

189: Listen  Solidarity is a spontaneous reaction by those who recognize that the social function of property and the universal destination of goods are realities which come before private property. 

The private ownership of goods is justified by the need to protect and increase them, so that they can better serve the common good; for this reason, solidarity must be lived as the decision to restore to the poor what belongs to them. 

These convictions and habits of solidarity, when they are put into practice, open the way to other structural transformations and make them possible.

Changing structures without generating new convictions and attitudes will only ensure that those same structures will become, sooner or later, corrupt, oppressive and ineffectual.

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10 years ago today:

James, Shane, Lulu, Frank, Clare at Ricci Memorial Center; visit to Simone; English students at Yunfu 

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 One of the residents at the Cheung Chau Mercy Centre for homeless people - who slept at McDonald's for 8 years - has now turned into an expert fisherman ....who then cooks what he's caught....Fish Fillet!

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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 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Benin

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

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Fri Oct 20

Yesterday morning at the High Court an Indonesian woman was given a reduction of 6 months from her sentence ...for her participation in my anti-drug campaign. Judge was very critical of police/Customs: "How come Fr John can tell the world who the masterminds are here in HK , but Customs/police cannot find them?"  (at link: Dec 16 story and letter)

 

  This is beautiful:
Pope - how to get ready for death

 

Pope often reminds us to celebrate our anniversary of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion.
Well, thank you Holy Spirit for my Confirmation 60 years ago today on a Sunday morning at St James' Church, Brisbane!

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

1 Maccabees 3: Judas led the people in many successful battles. He often said that it is easy for a great number of soldiers to be defeated by a few. "Victory in war does not depend on the size of an army. It is from heaven that strength comes". As Judas' fame spread, King Antiochus ordered a huge army to attack Judas. 
Dear God, please help us put our trust in you rather than in anyone or anything else

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 147: Praise the Lord for he is good. Sing to our God for he is loving. To him our praise is due. The Lord builds up Jerusalem and brings back Israel's exiles. He heals the broken-hearted and binds up all their wounds. The Lord raises the lowly and humbles the wicked. He fixes the number of the stars. He calls each one by name. Our Lord is great and almighty. His wisdom can never be measured. He covers the heavens with clouds. He prepares rain for the earth, making mountains sprout with grass and with plants to serve our needs. His delight is not in horses nor his pleasure in warriors' strength. The Lord delights in those who love and honor him, in those who wait for his love.
It is right and fitting to praise and love you, Lord our Creator
Listen

 

James 4.7-12: Turn towards God. Turn away from the Devil, and the Devil will run away from you. Clean your hearts and minds. Be sorry for your sins. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Do not slander one another. Who are you to give a verdict on your neighbor?
Jesus, help me understand  "the time to judge others is never"

Listen



 

Matthew 27.45-54: Jesus was put on the cross about 9am. From about noon until 3pm there was darkness over all the land. About 3pm Jesus cried out the words of Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" A little while later he again cried out in a loud voice. Then he died. At that moment the holy curtain in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and there was a violent earthquake. The Roman soldiers were terrified. Their leader called out "Truly this was a son of God".
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for the salvation of the world

Listen

 

Reflection on the above Bible readings:

Jesus died on a Friday, Good Friday, so today, Friday, is a good day to think about what happened 2,000 years ago on Calvary....and say..."Thank you Jesus"

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

 207: Listen  The Earth Charter asked us to leave behind a period of self-destruction and make a new start, but we have not as yet developed a universal awareness needed to achieve this.

Here, I would echo that courageous challenge: "As never before in history, common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning. Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life"

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

188: Listen  The Church has realized that the need to heed this plea is itself born of the liberating action of grace within each of us, and thus it is not a question of a mission reserved only to a few: "The Church, guided by the Gospel of mercy and by love for mankind, hears the cry for justice and intends to respond to it with all her might".

In this context we can understand Jesus command to his disciples: "You yourselves give them something to eat!" : it means working to eliminate the structural causes of poverty and to promote the integral development of the poor, as well as small daily acts of solidarity in meeting the real needs which we encounter.

The word "solidarity" is a little worn and at times poorly understood, but it refers to something more than a few sporadic acts of generosity. It presumes the creation of a new mindset which thinks in terms of community and the priority of the life of all over the appropriation of goods by a few.

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 Yesterday afternoon when I was in a local McDonald's for a meeting concerning homeless people, I saw something I had never seen before: someone using chopsticks ....to eat....ice cream from a cone!

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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 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan

And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
 
On this 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of The Gambia

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

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Thu Oct 19

Yesterday was the feast of a doctor - Saint Luke - so it was a good day for me to spend time at nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital on behalf of two African inmates: helping one (on behalf of prison welfare office) apply for an operation and helping the other  apply for copies of medical records.

 

Pope invites prisoners to lunch, and two escape ! 

 

HK bishop emphasizes pastoral over political concerns

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

1 Maccabees 2: Mattathias was a Jew loyal to his religion at a time when most people were not loyal. When the king's representative came to the town of Mattathias and started forcing people to take part in pagan ceremonies, Mattathias killed the representative. Mattathias then called on everyone loyal to God to join him in the desert. Mattathias soon had a small army which gradually won control of many parts of the country and restored observance of God's law. When Mattathias was coming to the end of his life he appointed his son Judas as his army successor.
Dear God, help us to be loyal to you like Mattathias

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 145: I will give you glory, O God my king. I will bless your name day after day. The Lord is great, worthy of all praise. His greatness cannot be measured. Age to age shall proclaim your works, shall speak of your splendor and glory. The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and tell all the world of your love. The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds. The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. The eyes of all creatures look to you and you give them their food each day. The Lord is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts. Let the whole world bless the Lord's holy name, for ever, for ages unending.
Thank you, Lord, for your love. Thank you for your love

Listen

 

James 3.16-17: Wherever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony and evil practices. On the other hand,  wisdom from heaven is good and peaceful and kindly and considerate. It is full of compassion, and does good. There is no trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it. 
Jesus,  give me wisdom. Make me peaceful 

Listen


Matthew 27.32-44: As Jesus was taken to the place of crucifixion, a man name Simon, from Cyrene, was made to carry Jesus' cross. Jesus was then nailed to the cross and hung on the cross. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Above Jesus' head was a sign with the charge against him: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews". People passing by that place made fun of Jesus. So did the religious leaders. They mocked and taunted him.
Jesus on the Cross, thank you for suffering so much for the salvation of the world

Listen

Reflection on the above Bible readings:

The Gospels stress how the suffering Jesus was made fun of ...."mocked and taunted". This is the greatest example of a good person - in the midst of intense suffering - being ridiculed by the very people he/she was trying to help. It can happen in a family ...e.g. a parent coming home after a long and tiring day at work to get money to support their family ....coming home and experiencing ridicule from other family members

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

206: Listen  A change in lifestyle could bring healthy pressure to bear on those who wield political, economic and social power.

This is what consumer movements accomplish by boycotting certain products. 

They prove successful in changing the way businesses operate, forcing them to consider their environmental footprint and their patterns of production.

When social pressure affects their earnings, businesses clearly have to find ways to produce differently.

This shows us the great need for a sense of social responsibility on the part of consumers. 

"Purchasing is always a moral - and not simply economic - act".

Today, in a word, "the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle".

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

187c: Listen  The old question always returns: "How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods, and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?" (1 Jn 3:17).

Let us recall also how bluntly the apostle James speaks of the cry of the oppressed: "The wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts"  (5:4)

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10 years ago today:

Thank you CECI for fixing computers; thank you Maria Lit for CD; 100th Day party for baby Wong

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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 19th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 19th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Sudan

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

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Wed Oct 18

I was at Tai Lam Women's prison for 8 hours yesterday. In one room I met a number of women charged with trafficking in Ice. I said to one woman "there's a lot of you here on Ice charges". She replied "Yes, it's a cold room"! The good news from Tai Lam: no new woman from the whole of Africa arrested at HK airport this year for drug trafficking. The (bad) news: now that my work for Africans is decreasing, I find I'm being asked to increase my work for local HK people facing drug charges. 

 

Diwali starts tomorrow and continues until Sunday. Happy Diwali!


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  Chris McDonnell 

Yes, we can!
On October 9
 I made a journey on Newman's anniversary to be with a friend from childhood, a priest for over sixty years in the Arundel and Brighton diocese, Fr Gerald Coates

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

 Feast of Saint Luke  ("Luke"/"Acts")

Luke 1: Dear Friend of God, there are already many reports written about Jesus. These reports come from people who were the earliest eyewitnesses and ministers of the Good News. After checking the whole story, I also have decided to write a report, so that you may see for yourself the truth and accuracy of the Good News
Jesus, help me understand your Good News
 
Recording of this reading


Acts 1: Dear Friend of God, in my first book (the Gospel of Luke) I wrote about everything Jesus did until the day he was taken up to heaven. For 40 days after his death, he appeared to his apostles many times, and taught them about the kingdom of God. He told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for what the Father had promised: "You will soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit"
Jesus, please baptize me with the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, increase your influence in my life

Recording


Colossians 4.14 (St Paul writing from prison in Rome):
Greetings from my dear friend Luke, the doctor
Recording

 


2 Timothy 4.11 (St Paul writing from prison in Rome):
Only
Luke is with me

Recording

 

 Reflection on the above readings: 

I really enjoyed this: David Pawson - The Gospel of Luke

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

205: Listen  Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning.

We are able to take an honest look at ourselves, to acknowledge our deep dissatisfaction, and to embark on new paths to authentic freedom.

No system can completely suppress our openness to what is good, true and beautiful, or our God-given ability to respond to his grace at work deep in our hearts.

I appeal to everyone throughout the world not to forget this dignity which is ours. No one has the right to take it from us.

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

187b: Listen  A mere glance at the Scriptures is enough to make us see how our gracious Father wants to hear the cry of the poor:  "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt ; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them...so I will send you..." (Ex 3:7-8, 10).

We also see how he is concerned for their needs: "When the Israelites cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliverer" (Jg 3:15 ).

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 How any country can win lots more medals at the Olympics: get more men to "change" into women:A prominent transgender advocate has backed a ban on Hannah Mouncey due to her abnormal size and strength.

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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 18th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shandong

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ivory Coast

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

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Tues Oct 17

A long but happy day yesterday: a trip to Kowloon City Court in the early morning to arrange bail release for a man in Lai Chi Kok men's prison; a meeting (at the court) with a kind young man who is setting up a Facebook page for a new website I've started - to help protect family life in HK from the radical rainbow typhoon which is battering so many parts of the world; then a visit to Lai Chi Kok prison to deliver the "get out of jail" letter & visit some inmates due for court soon; then some office work at home (an urgent support letter for a coming case & preparation of an affidavit for another case); then a long visit to a HK Island legal office to finalise the affidavit; then some time at the Catholic Centre in Central to say thank you for 71 years of life; then an evening meal with some homeless people who sleep at McDonald's. No trouble sleeping last night! My custom for many years now has been to have a meal with poor people on Oct 16 as in 2016 and 2009  

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

1 Maccabees 1: Some Jews abandoned their religion and made a pact with King Antiochus Epiphanes, a Seleucid king of the Greeks. Antiochus conquered many lands, including Israel. He plundered the Temple and forced the Jews to renounce their religion. But many Jews courageously stood firm and were punished with death. This was a sad and terrible time for Israel.
Dear God, please help us stay faithful to you

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 144: Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who gives me strength for every situation. He is my love, my fortress. He is my stronghold, my savior. To you, O God, will I sing a new song, you who so often rescued David your servant. Happy the people whose God is the Lord. Please continue to bless your people, Lord. Let our sons flourish like saplings grown tall and strong from their youth; our daughters graceful as columns, adorned as though for a palace. Let our crops and stock be blessed. May there be no sound of weeping on our streets.
Lord, please help us love and honor you every day. Don't let us ever forget your love

Listen

 

James 3.3-10: When a bit is put into a horse's mouth, the whole animal is under control. A tiny rudder can control a big ship. In the same way, if you can control your tongue, you can control every other part of yourself. The tongue is a whole wicked world in itself. It is so hard to control. We use it to bless God, but we also use it to curse people made in God's image.
Jesus, please help me control my tongue!

Listen


Matthew 27.27-31: After the Roman soldiers scourged Jesus, they made fun of him: 
- they put a red cloak on him.
- they made a crown out of thorns.
- they put a reed in his right hand. 
Then they knelt in front of him saying "Hail, king of the Jews". They spat on him. They took the reed and hit him with it. When they had finished making fun of him, they dressed him  in his own clothes and led him away to crucify him.

Jesus, please don't let me hurt other people by making fun of them

Listen

Reflection on the above readings:

From the beginning of human history, evil people have persecuted and killed good people. At the time of the Maccabees, many people died for their religion. Jesus died for his religion. Every 6 seconds today a Christian dies for his/her religion. A fully mature Christian is prepared to die for his/her faith.

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

204: Listen The current global situation engenders a feeling of instability and uncertainty, which in turn becomes "a seedbed for collective selfishness".

When people become self-centred and self-enclosed, their greed increases. 

The emptier a person's heart is, the more he or she needs things to buy, own and consume. 

It becomes almost impossible to accept the limits imposed by reality. 

In this horizon, a genuine sense of the common good also disappears.

As these attitudes become more widespread, social norms are respected only to the extent that they do not clash with personal needs. 

So our concern cannot be limited merely to the threat of extreme weather events, but must also extend to the catastrophic consequences of social unrest. 

Obsession with a consumerist lifestyle, above all when few people are capable of maintaining it, can only lead to violence and mutual destruction. 

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

187a: Listen  Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their aidEach individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their aid

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Interactive Bible Quiz - 1 Kings
Based on the actual words of the Bible. 
How many times can you get 3/3 ?!  

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10 years ago today:

Visit to poor centers by Chris, Heather (Abacus, HK), Marion & Kevin - from HK/Australia/New Zealand  (+ thank you Guangzhou Insurance College for kind donation to help poor students)

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 I guess the problem is me ...but the older I get ... the busier life is becoming. The good news is that the retirement age for priests in HK is ......wait for it .....85!

--------------------------------------

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 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 17th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Malawi

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

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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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