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 pr
ison 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 31
A long day at the desk yesterday, including 3 hours preparing a submission for a High Court case on Thursday or Friday when I'm due to be a witness.
Filipino sailor & 2 Colombians arrested near my home
Last
Sunday at the end of Mass, I showed the people this
8 minute video about gender identity.
(sound - Cantonese; picture - everyonese). Today is final day for submissions re
govt
gi survey
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1 Maccabees 13-14: After Jonathan's capture, Jonathan's brother
Simon became leader of the Jews. He rallied the people to defend
their land
against an attack by Trypho. Trypho was forced to abandon his attack by a
heavy snowfall.
As he returned to his own land, he killed Jonathan. Trypho killed Antiochus and became king of
Asia. Simon made peace with Demetrius. He also
renewed the treaties with Sparta and the Romans. Israel had peace during the time of Simon.
Dear God, please give the world
leaders who work for peace
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
7: Lord God, I take refuge in you.
Please rescue me from people who are trying to hurt me. Lord, please stop bad people from doing bad
things.
Please help good people to keep on doing good things.
Lord, I will sing to you and thank you for
your goodness to me.
Lord, please help me to avoid
evil and to do good
Listen
1
Peter 2.19-25: If you are treated unfairly, put up with it
for the sake of God. Christ suffered for you and left an example
for you to follow.
He had done nothing wrong. He was insulted and tortured,
but did not retaliate. He bore our sins in his own body on the Cross,
so that we might die to sin and live for holiness. Through his wounds you have been healed.
You were like straying sheep,
but now have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls
Jesus, please help me put up with difficulties
for your sake
Listen
Mark
1.35-39: The next morning, long before dawn,
Jesus left the house and went off to a lonely place to pray.
When Simon and the other fishermen found him, they said
"Everyone is looking for you". Jesus replied "We must go to the nearby
towns,
so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came". Jesus went all through Galilee,
preaching in the prayer halls and casting out devils.
Jesus, may every town on earth
welcome you and hear your message
Listen
Reflection on the above readings:
Jesus made time to pray. So must we.
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text
Full Chinese text
216: Listen What happens with politics?
Let us keep in mind the principle of subsidiarity, which grants freedom to develop the capabilities present at every level of society, while also demanding a greater sense of responsibility for the common good from those who wield greater power.
Today, it is the case that some economic sectors exercise more power than states themselves.
But economics without politics cannot be justified, since this would make it impossible to favour other ways of handling the various aspects of the present crisis.
The mindset which leaves no room for sincere concern for the environment is the same mindset which lacks concern for the inclusion of the most vulnerable members of society.
For "the current model, with its emphasis on success and self-reliance, does not appear to favour an investment in efforts to help the slow, the weak or the less talented to find opportunities in life".
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
196: Listen
Sometimes we prove hard of
heart and mind; we are forgetful, distracted and
carried away by the limitless possibilities for consumption and distraction
offered by contemporary society.
This leads to a kind of alienation at every level, for "a society becomes alienated when its forms of social organization, production and consumption make it more difficult to offer the gift of self and to establish solidarity between people".
-------------------------------------
Interactive
Bible Quiz - Ezra
Based on the actual
words of the Bible.
How many times can you get 3/3 ?!
----------------------------------
10
years ago today:
Welcome back HK Nancy + Maria + HK Ling & Peter + Ricci School volunteer Mr Choi
Visit to Marco Polo Center by Zhaoqing China8 supporter Joe Chen and his driver Mr Chen
------------------------------------------
Today's Gospel says Jesus got up early. So did I yesterday
morning ....thanks to a stolen vehicle crashing into a shop front directly below
my home at 4.30am. As police etc were gathering, sleep was out of the question,
so I turned on the computer and did a bit of work. Such is life in Wild West
Kowloon!
--------------------------------------
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 31st
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Tianjin
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 31st of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Nepal
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 30
Some good news: MercyHK, which seeks to help homeless and other
needy people, is now renting a small shop near the pier on Cheung Chau Island
....to give employment to some of the people at our Mercy
Centre on Cheung Chau. Thank you Jesus!
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Maccabees 12: Jonathan sent a delegation to Rome to renew
his treaty with the Romans. He also renewed treaties with other
groups, all the time using politics to secure peace for Israel. But Demetrius once again made war on Jonathan,
this time with
a larger army than before. Jonathan bravely faced and defeated Demetrius'
army before they could enter the land of Israel. Not long after this Jonathan was tricked and
captured by Trypho who wanted to become king of Asia, replacing
Antiochus.
Dear God, please give wisdom
and courage to all leaders
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
6: Have mercy on me, Lord, I have no strength.
My body is racked with pain. Please heal me, Lord. I am exhausted with my groaning.
Every night my pillow is covered with tears. Lord, please hear my prayer.
Dear Lord, please help people
who are in distress of mind or body
Listen
1
Peter 2.11-15: Keep yourselves free from selfish passions
that attack the soul.
Behave honorably among non-Christians, even if they treat you badly. For the sake of the Lord, accept the authority
of every social institution. God wants you to be good citizens.
Jesus, bless government officials
in our country.
Give them good health, courage and wisdom
Listen
Mark
1.29-34: Jesus went to the home of Simon and
Andrew.
Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. Jesus took her by the hand and helped her up.
The fever left her, and she began to serve her visitors. That night all the local sick people were brought to
Jesus.
He healed many who were suffering from all kinds of diseases.
He also cast out many devils.
Jesus, please heal (..name..)
who is sick
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings:
After being cured by Jesus, Peter's mother-in-law would never object to her son-in-law following Jesus? (... = a good move by Jesus to secure Peter's services?!). What about Peter's wife? Some say she might have died before Jesus called Peter
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
215: Listen
In this regard, "the relationship between a
good aesthetic education and the maintenance of a healthy environment cannot be
overlooked".
By learning to see and appreciate beauty, we learn to reject self-interested pragmatism.
If someone has not learned to stop and admire something beautiful, we should not be surprised if he or she treats everything as an object to be used and abused without scruple.
If we want to bring about deep change, we need to realize that certain mindsets really do influence our behaviour.
Our efforts at education will be inadequate and ineffectual unless we strive to promote a new way of thinking about human beings, life, society and our relationship with nature.
Otherwise, the paradigm of consumerism will continue to advance, with the help of the media and the highly effective workings of the market.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
195: Listen
When
This important principle, namely that the Pauline communities should not succumb to the self-centred lifestyle of the pagans, remains timely today, when a new self-centred paganism is growing.
We may not always be able to reflect adequately the beauty of
the Gospel, but there is one sign which we should never
lack: the option for those who are least, those
whom society discards
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
------------------------------------------
To go with today's Gospel - from Pope
Francis - here:
We all know the perfect family does not exist. The perfect husband does not exist and the perfect wife does not exist, he said. Then, after pausing as if for comic effect, he added: Let's not even talk about perfect mothers-in-law.
--------------------------------------
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 30th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanghai
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
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 29
Hello from Hong Kong where I arrived back safely last night after three nights in Bangkok..."fishing". Thank you God for a safe trip. Trip was blessed in so many ways but it's best if I don't say too much ...might scare the fish! God bless all the people I met over the past few days, especially those who helped me to fish!
Baby
powder in China is sometimes not safe, so people in China are desperate to buy
overseas baby powder. HK has had to face problem of stocks being bought up by
Mainland visitors. Now Australia has the same issue....with 50,000
parcels of baby powder being posted to China ...each
day!
Xi's words: "Media welcome"; Xi's actions: media
barred"
NY Times, Economist, Financial Times, Guardian, and BBC barred from Xi Jinping speech
-----------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 30
Exodus 22: Laws
announced by Moses:
"If a man seduces a virgin, he must marry her.
A sorceress must be put to death.
Anyone who has intercourse with an animal must die.
Do not discriminate against foreigners,
for you yourselves were foreigners in
Dear God, please help us not to hurt other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
17-18: Lord, when trouble breaks out on every
side,
please protect and help me. For you are my strength, my rock, my fortress,
my savior.
I love you, Lord who save me because you love me. Lord, you are my lamp who lightens my life.
I will praise you among the nations.
Lord, you are worthy of
all praise
Listen
1
Thessalonians 1.1-6: From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy
to the Church of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
in Thessalonika. Wishing you grace and peace. In my prayers for you, I thank God our Father
for your faith in action, your work for love, and your
persevering hope. When we brought the Good News to you, it came
to you not just as words, but as power from the Holy Spirit. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, you accepted
the Good News,
despite great opposition from many quarters
Jesus, help people accept the Good News,
despite opposition
Listen
Mathew
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 more we try to love God and care for others, the better our lives, our families, our nations, our world ...goes/go. Inasmuch as we fail to love God and care for others, the worse everything goes.
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian with English, Chinese and
Spanish subtitles
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
214: Listen
Political institutions and various other social
groups are also entrusted with helping to raise people's awareness.
So too is the Church.
All Christian communities have an important role to play in ecological education.
It is my hope that our seminaries and houses of formation will provide an education in responsible simplicity of life, in grateful contemplation of God's world, and in concern for the needs of the poor and the protection of the environment.
Because the stakes are so high, we need institutions empowered to impose penalties for damage inflicted on the environment. But we also need the personal qualities of self-control and willingness to learn from one another.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
194:
Listen
This message is so clear and
direct, so simple and eloquent, that no ecclesial
interpretation has the right to relativize it.
The Church's reflection on these texts ought not to obscure or weaken their force, but urge us to accept their exhortations with courage and zeal.
Why complicate something so simple?
Conceptual tools exist to heighten contact with the realities they seek to explain, not to distance us from them.
This is especially the case with those biblical exhortations which summon us so forcefully to brotherly love, to humble and generous service, to justice and mercy towards the poor.
Jesus taught us this way of looking at others by his words and his actions.
So why cloud something so clear?
We should not be concerned simply about falling into doctrinal error, but about remaining faithful to this light-filled path of life and wisdom.
For
"defenders of orthodoxy are sometimes accused of passivity, indulgence, or
culpable complicity regarding the intolerable situations of injustice and the
political regimes which prolong them"
-------------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------------------
The escalators at Bangkok airport are good fun .... like slippery
dips....which you ride with your trolley...making sure the brake is on when you
make a sharp ascent or descent. If you forget the brake you can find your
trolley bolting away!
--------------------------------------
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 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, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
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I'm due to return to HK tonight please God. My mobile in Bangkok: +66 (0)949736535
Sat Oct 28
My "fishing" trip to Bangkok has been powerfully
blessed by the Good Lord. So many "co-incidences" have happened
...some day I'll write about them. For the time being it's best if I don't say
too much.
The ceremonies continued here yesterday, with non-stop blanket TV
coverage:
Crowds say farewell to father of the nation
Same-sex marriage. A doctor speaks out - radio interview:
A
new way to betray children
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Maccabees 11: King Ptolemy of Egypt pretended to be friends
with Alexander.
But then he went to war with Alexander. Ptolemy's army won the battle,
but not long after both Ptolemy and Alexander died. Demetrius then became king.
He had an unstable relationship with Jonathan even though Jonathan on one
occasion rescued him from former supporters of Alexander. Demetrius was replaced as king by
a young Antiochus.
Antiochus confirmed Jonathan's position as leader of Israel.
Dear God, please stop countries
from fighting each other
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
5: At the start of this day I pray to you, O
Lord, my King and my God. I offer you my prayer and ask for your
help. Through the greatness of your love, I have
access to your friendship. I bow down in reverence and worship. Lead me, Lord, in the way you want me to go.
It is you, Lord, who bless good people.
You surround them with favors, as with a shield.
Lord, I adore you as my Creator
Listen
1
Peter 2.4-9: Jesus is Mr Livingstone, the living stone
rejected by men, but chosen by God. Stay close to him, so that you
too may be living stones in the spiritual house of God's church. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who
called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Jesus, you are the foundation stone of my
life.
May I build my life on your teaching, your values, your example
Listen
Luke
6.12-16 (for Feast of Sts Simon
& Jude): Jesus went to the hills to pray. He spent a
whole night praying.
In the morning he called all his disciples together. He chose 12 of them
and called them "apostles": Peter and his brother Andrew, James, John,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus,
Simon,
Judas
son of James - and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor. Jesus and the 12 came down from the hill to a
place of level ground.
Gathered there were his many disciples and a large crowd of people from
all over the country who had come to hear him and to be healed of
diseases. People in the crowd tried to touch Jesus
because power came out of him that cured everyone.
Jesus, please bless modern day apostles who
pray for the sick to be healed
Listen
Reflection on the above readings:
According to tradition, after his martyrdom, pilgrims came to Jude's grave to pray, and many of them experienced his powerful intercession. Thus the title, 'The Saint for the Hopeless and the Despairing'
----------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
213: Listen Ecological
education can take place in a variety of settings: at school, in families, in
the media, in catechesis and elsewhere.
Good education plants seeds when we are young, and these continue to bear fruit throughout life.
Here, though, I would stress the great importance of the family, which is "the place in which life - the gift of God - can be properly welcomed and protected against the many attacks to which it is exposed, and can develop in accordance with what constitutes authentic human growth.
In the face of the so-called culture of death, the family is the heart of the culture of life".
In the family we first learn how to show love and respect for life; we are taught the proper use of things, order and cleanliness, respect for the local ecosystem and care for all creatures.
In the family we receive an integral education, which enables us to grow harmoniously in personal maturity.
In the family we learn to ask without demanding, to say "thank you" as an expression of genuine gratitude for what we have been given, to control our aggressivity and greed, and to ask forgiveness when we have caused harm.
These simple gestures of heartfelt courtesy help to create a culture of shared life and respect for our surroundings.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
193b: Listen
The wisdom literature sees almsgiving
as a concrete exercise of mercy towards those in need: "Almsgiving
delivers from death, and it will purge away every sin"
(Tob 12:9).
The idea is expressed even more graphically by
Sirach: "Water extinguishes blazing fire: so almsgiving atones for sin"
(
The same synthesis appears in the New Testament: "Maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pet 4:8).
This truth greatly influenced the thinking of the Fathers of the Church and helped create a prophetic, counter-cultural resistance to the self-centred hedonism of paganism.
We can recall a single example: "If we were in peril from
fire, we would certainly run to water in order to extinguish the fire; in the
same way, if a spark of sin flares up from our straw, and we are troubled on
that account, whenever we have an opportunity to perform a
work of mercy, we should rejoice, as if a fountain opened before us so that the
fire might be extinguished"
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
Yunfu - farewell for Sr Imelda
------------------------------------------
When Jesus called some of his disciples to be fishers of
men....did he include Big Fish?
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: 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 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, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
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Fri Oct 27
Hello again from Bangkok where I'm privileged to have been,
just by chance, here for a most historic day. Yesterday most businesses were
closed, roads were closed for motorcades of foreign dignitaries (including US
Secretary of State) as the nation bade farewell to its beloved monarch. To get
an idea of the mood here, put together occasions like JFK's funeral, the funeral
of a pope or British monarch, a family funeral, a canonisation ....then multiply
by 50 to get the feel of the nation's feeling about their late king. See Funeral fit for a king underway in Thailand
and Thailand's elaborate
goodbye to King. God bless Thailand!
On the fishing pond front (the reason for my trip) yesterday was most fruitful. The Heavenly Travel Agent continues to amaze me ....
Pope's
'field hospital' vision germinates in Chinese parish
A
small town in China's Fujian province has heeded the pontiff''s call for dynamic
aid and care.
The
weakest to the wall "Most
Asian societies, cultures, polities, and religions are works in progress. The
scale and reach of religious persecution, usually linked to ethnicity, shows
little sign of declining
-------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
1 Maccabees 10: When King Demetrius was challenged for the
throne by Alexander, Demetrius tried to get Jonathan's support for a
possible war with Alexander. Alexander then also sought Jonathan's support,
and appointed him as high priest of Israel. Demetrius again tried to win Jonathan's
support, but Jonathan
and the Jews did not trust Demetrius. Alexander and Demetrius went to war.
Demetrius died in the battle. Alexander then became king. He married
Cleopatra, daughter of Egypt's Ptolemy, thus securing a treaty with Egypt.
Jonathan met Alexander and Ptolemy and was
given great honor in their presence. About 147 B.C. Demetrius son of Demetrius
challenged Alexander for the throne.
This younger Demetrius also challenged Jonathan to fight.
Jonathan defeated the army of Demetrius.
Alexander then gave Jonathan new honors.
Dear God, please help all
countries live at peace with each other
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
4:
At the end of this day I praise you, Lord,
for all your love and help. O people of the world, how long will you close
your hearts to God?
How long you will keep on chasing false goals? Lord, you have put into my heart a joy that
cannot be obtained by big meals and plenty of wine. I will lie
down in peace and sleep comes at
once,
for you, Lord, make me dwell in safety and peace.
Thank you, Lord, for your love
and help right through today
Listen
1 Peter
1.13 - 2.3:
Delete rubbish from your minds. Control your
thinking.
Trust more in Jesus. Live the way he wants you to live,
not like the way you used to live before you learnt the truth.
Be good and holy. Let your love for each other be real and from
the heart. You are born again by the everlasting word of
the living God. Never be spiteful, or deceitful, or
hypocritical
or envious and critical of each other.
Jesus, help me live the way you want me
to live
Listen
Mark
1.21-28: Jesus and the fishermen went to the town of
Capernaum.
On the Sabbath Jesus began to teach in the local prayer hall. The listeners were deeply impressed by Jesus' teaching.
Unlike the religious leaders, Jesus taught with authority. That very day in the prayer hall there was a
man possessed by an evil spirit. The spirit shouted out "Have
you come to destroy me, Jesus of Nazareth? I know who you are: the
Holy One of God." Jesus said strongly "Be quiet! Come out
of him!"
The evil spirit threw the man on the ground and with a loud cry went out
of him. The people in the prayer hall were amazed.
They said
"Here is a teaching which has authority. Even evil spirits obey
him." Jesus' reputation quickly spread throughout
the whole district.
Jesus, Holy One of God, please
protect my family from evil
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
Jesus can help us control our minds, our behaviour. He can help us delete rubbish - including evil influences - from our minds. Jesus is the best anti-virus program for our lives!
----------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
212: Listen
We must not think that these efforts are not going
to change the world.
They benefit society, often unbeknown to us, for they call forth a goodness which, albeit unseen, inevitably tends to spread
Furthermore, such actions can restore our sense of self-esteem; they can enable us to live more fully and to feel that life on earth is worthwhile.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
193a: Listen
We incarnate the duty of
hearing the cry of the poor when we are deeply moved by the suffering of others.
Let us listen to what God's word teaches us about mercy, and allow that word to resound in the life of the Church.
The Gospel tells us: "Blessed are the merciful, because they shall obtain mercy" (Mt 5:7).
The apostle James teaches that our mercy
to others will vindicate us on the day of God's judgment: "So speak
and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For
judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy, yet mercy triumphs over
judgment" (Jas
Here James is faithful to the finest
tradition of post-exilic Jewish spirituality, which attributed a particular
salutary value to mercy: "Break off your sins by practising righteousness,
and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be
a lengthening of your tranquillity" (Dan
-------------------------------------
10
years ago:
English classes at Xinxing + English Corner in Zhaoqing
Welcome back Ling & Peter, and thank you Macau Hope Group for another clinic at Marco Polo Center
------------------------------------------
When I went to buy a metro ticket for trip from Bangkok
airport to city centre last Wed afternoon, I - like all passengers - was given a
brown token ...which at first I thought was a chocolate....but it was a free
ticket ...in honor of the late king. A moving gesture.
--------------------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
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Thur Oct 26
Hello from Bangkok where I arrived safely around 4.30pm local time yesterday.
Turns out I'm privileged to be here for a most historic occasion: the funeral of
the King who died one year ago.
This anti-drug
"fishing" campaign was booked only last Friday and before I came I was
wondering about the dangers of Bangkok, how good it would be to have someone
with me on trip, how good it would be to have a media contact in Bangkok etc.
Well, yesterday on the plane, all my hopes were answered in a kind man sitting
next to me. (I'll explain more later).
And so last night we had a meal together near the "pond" ...after
which he walked me home safely to the hotel where I'm staying ....and he's going
to keep an eye on the fish. Thank you Jesus, Divine Travel Agent!
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The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
1
Maccabees 9: King Demetrius sent another army against
Israel.
The size of this army was so large that many of Judas'
soldiers deserted him. Judas had only a small force to fight the
king's army.
Judas could have saved his life by running away from the battle,
but he courageously chose to stay and fight. Judas died in the battle and his troops fled.
Judas' brother Jonathan succeeded him as
leader of the Jews. Jonathan gradually reclaimed control of most
of the country
and again there was peace for a time.
Dear God, please give me some
of the courage of Judas
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
3: When people make fun of me for believing in
you, Lord,
I deeply remember how you are my help and my shield. Even when the whole world seems against me,
I can go to bed and sleep easy, knowing that you protect me. O Lord, please rescue me from people who plot
against me.
Lord our savior, please bless everyone who needs help.
Lord, thank you for your
protection and help
Listen
1 Peter
1.3-9: Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
In his great mercy, he has made us his children.
He has prepared a place in heaven for us to live with him forever. This is a cause of great joy for you,
even though life in this world has many trials. You did not see Jesus, yet you love him, and
you believe in him.
Faith gives you confidence to look forward to the salvation of your souls.
Jesus, I have never seen you with my physical
eyes,
but I love you and believe in you
Listen
Mark
1.14-20: Jesus went to Galilee and proclaimed the Good
News from God.
"The time has come" he said "and the kingdom of God is
close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News." As he was walking along by the sea of Galilee,
he saw two fishermen Simon and his brother Andrew. Jesus said to
them "Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men".
Simon and Andrew then followed Jesus.
Going a little further, Jesus saw two more fishermen James and his brother
John. He called them also to follow him. They left their nets and
boat and followed him.
Jesus, please bless all the
people who work full time as "fishers of men"
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
Soldiers followed Judas (Maccabees 9) but many deserted him when the odds were overwhelming. Apostles were recruited by Jesus (Mark 1) but all deserted him in the face of danger. Both Judas and Jesus sacrificed their lives in the cause of right
No matter whether people support us or don't want to know us....we Christians must keep on going ....even if we need, like Judas and Jesus, to sacrifice our lives.
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At McDonald's in Bangkok, Ronald McD has his hands joined
in the traditional Thai greeting form!
--------------------------------------
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 26th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Xinjiang
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 26th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Togo
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday,
please pacify Al-Qaeda
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Wed Oct 25
This afternoon I'm due to go to Thailand for another anti-drug
campaign trip. Due back HK Sat night Oct 28. Thank you for a prayer. And see
below ....as well as this: Bizarre penalty kick leaves
Thai goalkeeper red-faced
This
is good!
How
HK's prisoners are given hope by pen pals and radio
God bless Kenya at
this election time! But .... Be
careful of Kenyan coffee!
Latest info says that some drug mules, after surgical operations,
are now concealing drugs in their thighs (..thighland..?)
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Chris McDonnell
So
it is time to say our prayers
Above all, prayer is about presence, an awareness of who we are and of the Lord
who sustains our life
-------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1 Maccabees 8:
Judas had heard about the Romans: how they
had conquered many lands and yet acted in a friendly way to other nations.
Judas therefore sent representatives to
Rome and an alliance was agreed to with the Romans. Judas' aim was to obtain protection and peace
for Israel.
Dear
God, may peace and justice be the aim of all leaders
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
2: Why are the nations revolting against God?
Why won't the nations accept God? O kings and rulers of the
nations, listen to God's voice.
Serve the Lord with love and honor. Blessed are the nations that love
the Lord
Let all the nations love you,
Lord. Let all the nations love you
Listen
1
Peter 1.1-2: Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, sends
greetings to the believers living among foreigners. You were chosen by God the Father. You
were made holy by the Spirit. You are obedient to
Jesus Christ
and are sprinkled with his blood. Grace and peace be with you more and more.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit - thank you for
life and faith
Listen
Mark
1.9-13:
About this time Jesus came from Nazareth in
Galilee
and was baptized by John in the river Jordan. As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw
the sky open
and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. Then a voice came from heaven
"You are my Son, the Beloved. My favor rests on you". Straight after this the Spirit led Jesus into
the wilderness for 40 days.
During this time Jesus was tempted by Satan.
Holy Spirit, please increase
your influence in my life
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings:
My
"wilderness" for the next few days is Bangkok. Thank you for a
prayer...
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Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
211b: Listen There
is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions, and
it is wonderful how education can bring about real changes in lifestyle.
Education in environmental responsibility can encourage ways of acting which directly and significantly affect the world around us, such as avoiding the use of plastic and paper, reducing water consumption, separating refuse, cooking only what can reasonably be consumed, showing care for other living beings, using public transport or car-pooling, planting trees, turning off unnecessary lights, or any number of other practices.
All of these reflect a generous and worthy creativity which brings out the best in human beings.
Reusing something instead of immediately discarding it, when done for the right reasons, can be an act of love which expresses our own dignity.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
192: Listen
Yet we desire even more than this; our dream soars
higher. We are not simply talking about ensuring
nourishment or a "dignified sustenance" for all people, but
also their "general temporal welfare and prosperity
This means education,
access to health care, and above all
employment, for it is through free, creative,
participatory and mutually supportive labour that human beings express and
enhance the dignity of their lives. A just wage
enables them to have adequate access
-------------------------------------
Let the reader understand!
--------------------------------------
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 25th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Ningxia
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month, Jesus please
bless the people of Comoros
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
---------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Please also join me in praying for the very many deformed and handicapped people from China who are on the streets of HK as beggars...as well as deformed people in China itself ...like Hung Chun Cai
My Africa trips:
2015: Tanzania, Malawi
2016:
Kenya, Uganda
2017:
Southern Africa, Dubai (
The
Last Run)
--------------------
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?"
--------------------------------------------
Pope's surprise visit to drug treatment centre
Pope is practising what he preaches: "get out and mix with the poor"
HK
readers might like to join me in praying each day for one group of HK
prison inmates: Sun:
Lo Wu; Mon: C.I.C., Siu Lam, Tai Lam; Tue: Stanley
Wed: Hei Ling Chau Thu: Lantau
Fri: Lai Chi Kok
Sat: Hospitals, Pik Uk & other centres
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This website was launched in construction
mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ
the King.
The official launching
was
held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20,
2012.
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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)
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