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 
Malaysia 
Nigeria 
Ph 
SA 
S.Amer
Thai 
Tz 
Ug 
EU
How campaign began
HK:how
long prison for trafficking?
www.AsylumSeekerHK.com
Tues June 12
Last Sunday night I was not allowed to board a flight to Malaysia, because my passport was valid for only 5 months instead of the 6 required by Malaysia. So, yesterday morning I went to the Australian Consulate General in HK ...who ....extremely kindly....gave me an emergency passport in 90 minutes, instead of the usual 48 hours! ...after they saw the SCMP article about my anti-drug campaign and I told them I had permission to visit a prison in Kuala Lumpur today and needed to get a plane at 6.35pm. Turns out I was able to get a flight at 2.35pm, after collecting passport at 11.40am. God is good!
So, this is being written from KL ...please check tomorrow's blog for an update
My article in today's Ming Pao newspaper has the topic: A social enterprise aimed at ...Capitalism! It is on Ming Pao website - click "Australian in HK". Text without recording
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
57. Still, some Christians insist on taking
another path, that of justification by their own efforts, the worship of the
human will and their own abilities. The result is a self-centred and elitist
complacency, bereft of true love. This finds expression in a variety of
apparently unconnected ways of thinking and acting: an
obsession with the law, an absorption with social and political advantages, a
punctilious concern for the Church's liturgy, doctrine and prestige, a vanity
about the ability to manage practical matters, and an excessive concern with
programs of self-help and personal fulfilment. Some Christians spend
their time and energy on these things, rather than letting themselves be led by
the Spirit in the way of love, rather than being passionate about communicating
the beauty and the joy of the Gospel and seeking out the lost among the immense
crowds that thirst for Christ.[63]
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Hosea 4: People
of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord: there is no fidelity, no tenderness,
no knowledge of God in the country, only perjury and lies, slaughter, theft,
adultery, violence and murder. This is why the country is in mourning. This is
why you have experienced so much disaster. My people, says the Lord, perish for
want of knowledge.
Lord, please help us lead good lives, and so help our country experience
blessing
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
61-65: O God,
hear my cry, you who are my refuge and help. In you alone is my soul at
rest. My help comes from you. Take refuge in God, everyone in trouble.
Trust him at all times. O God, you are my God, for you I long. My body and soul
thirst for you like a dry, weary land without water. Your love is better than
life, my lips will speak your praise. On my bed I remember you. On you I muse
through the night. You are the Creator of the world. You care for the earth, you
give it water. To you our praise is due, wherever we are on earth.
Lord, my soul clings to you. Your right hand holds me fast
Listen
Romans
6.3-11: When we were baptized,
two things happened:
1: We went into Jesus' tomb and joined him in death. We died.
2: We rose from the dead with Jesus. We came back to life.
This dying and rising means we have died to sin, and risen to a new life.
We died to an old life, and we came back to a new life. We have been
re-born, born again
Jesus, please help me leave my old life behind. Help me live a new life with
you
Listen
Luke 23.26-34: As
Jesus was being led to the place of crucifixion, a man named Simon was coming
into Jerusalem from the country. He was made to carry the cross behind Jesus.
Large numbers of people followed him, including women who mourned for him. Jesus
said to them "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep rather for
yourselves and for your children. For if this is how innocent people are
treated, what will happen to people who are guilty?" Two criminals were led
out with Jesus to be crucified with him
Jesus, please help me to carry my cross each day
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Lack of knowledge about health care leads to sickness. Lack of knowledge about spiritual health care leads to all sorts of personal and social problems (c.f. Hosea)
--------------------------------------------------------
One final part of my trip to Kuala Lumpur: my one piece of
checked-in luggage, together with those of several other passengers, went
missing at KL airport....but only for a short time. After so big problems in my
trip to KL, I didn't mind the small problem of luggage temporarily
missing.
--------------------------------------l
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 12th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jiangsu
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 12th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Guinea-Bissau
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon June 11
Hello from ...HK...I'm still here....airline would not let me leave for Kuala Lumpur last night because Australian passports must be valid for 6 months ...and mine has only 5 months left. Will go to Australian Consulate General this morning to see if anything can be done to help me go tonight to KL. For many long hours yesterday afternoon while I stayed at airport (1pm to 8pm) Legco member James To and his secretary Betty and media friends in KL tried everything to contact Malaysian Consulate staff in HK or Immigration staff in KL to send an email to airline desk in HK...and I tried several airlines to see if anything could be done...but without success. Seems that the Good Lord did not want me in KL last night ...maybe for my good. Praise God!
More than 450 million
Mainland Chinese are myopic ....same problem in
HK...my theory: straining to read Chinese characters not good for eyes
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Hosea
1-3:
God said to Hosea "Marry a prostitute
and have children by her,
for my people have abandoned me and become unfaithful". The Lord's people are like his wife,
but they have abandoned him. Hosea's wife was unfaithful to him and left
him.
But the Lord told Hosea to take her back. This was to show how God welcomes people back,
even though they have been unfaithful to him
Lord,
please help us to be faithful to you
Listen
Psalms
52-60: Lord, I will tell everyone about how good you
are.
You are our Creator. Everyone should love you. Thank you for so often rescuing me from
trouble.
You uphold my life. Sometimes I have so many troubles and cares
that I can't get to sleep.
Sometimes I wish I was a bird and could fly away to a safe place. When I fear, I will trust in you,in you whose word I praise.
My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise. Each morning I will sing of your strength,
and each morning acclaim your love.
O God, please help me to praise
and love you every day
Listen
Acts
4.32-35 (for Feast of St Barnabas): The apostles continued to witness to the
resurrection
of the Lord Jesus with great power. The whole group of believers was united, heart
and soul. They willingly shared everything they had with people who were
in need. Joseph was a Temple minister who had been born
in Cyprus. He sold a field he owned, and gave the proceeds to the
apostles. The apostles called him "Barnabas" ("Son of
Encouragement")
Jesus, help me to be more caring and
sharing
Listen
Luke
23.13-25: Pilate said to
the religious leaders and to the people "You brought this man before me as
a political agitator. Neither Herod nor I have found a case against the man. He
has done nothing deserving death. I shall have him flogged and then let him
go". But the leaders and people screamed out
"Away with him. Crucify him!". Pilate asked "Why? What harm
has he done?" They kept shouting "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
Pilate then gave in to them and handed Jesus over for crucifixion
Jesus, how great your mental suffering must have been as the crowd shouted
for your death
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: There is something frightening about a wild crowd ...communication with the people in the crowd is next to impossible....it's as if the crowd is heavily under the influence of evil.
--------------------------------------------------------
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 11th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hunan
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 11th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Eritrea
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun June 10
This afternoon I'm due to go to Kuala Lumpur, then June 14 to Brisbane, then June 20 back to KL, due back HK please God in evening of June 22. I'll try to update this blog each day as usual. I can be contacted by W/app and email. Thank you for a prayer.
Pope tells oil bosses world must reduce fossil fuel use
Letter in English from a Kenyan woman in prison in HK for drug
trafficking - here
(May 30)
Another
Beijing investment turns sour in Sri Lanka
Peter Wilkinson: First
Plenary Council of Australia, 1985 (first published in The Swag)
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
56. Only on the basis of God's gift, freely accepted and humbly
received, can we cooperate by our own efforts in our progressive transformation.[62]
We must first belong to God, offering
ourselves to him who was there first, and entrusting to him our abilities, our
efforts, our struggle against evil and our creativity, so that his free gift may
grow and develop within us: "I appeal to you, therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God" (Rom 12:1). For that matter, the Church has
always taught that charity alone makes growth in the life of grace possible, for
"if I do not have love, I am nothing" (1 Cor 13:2).
-----------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 10
Genesis 3: A creature hostile to
God took the form of a snake
and tempted the first man and first woman.
The snake tempted them to disobey God.
When God asked them why they disobeyed him,
the man blamed the woman, and the woman blamed the snake.
God said to the snake:
"You are the enemy of the human race.
Someday a member of the human race will defeat you."
God said to the man and woman:
"From dust you came and to dust you will return."
The first man's name was Adam (meaning "man").
The first woman's name was Eve (meaning "life").
Dear God, please help me understand
how evil in the world
started when Adam and Eve disobeyed you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
130: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice.
If you, O Lord, should
record our guilt,
Lord, who would survive? But with you is found
forgiveness.
For this we revere you. My soul is waiting for the Lord.
I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord
more than watchman for the daybreak. With the Lord there is mercy
and fullness of redemption. Israel indeed he will redeem
from all its iniquity.
Lord, please forgive me for all
the bad things I have done
Listen
2
Corinthians 4.8 - 5.1:
We are in difficulties on all sides, but never
cornered.
We see no answer to our problems, but never despair.
Even though our bodies are aging and decaying,
our hearts are renewed day by day. Our troubles seem great now, but they don't
stand comparison with the eternal glory coming soon. When the temporary tent that we live in here on
earth is folded up,
we will move to an everlasting house built by God for us in heaven.
Jesus, help me remember Heaven - especially
when life gets tough
Listen
Mark
3: Jesus went back to Capernaum. Such a crowd gathered that he could not even have a meal.
When his family heard about such things,
they set out to take care of him, thinking that he was crazy. His mother and brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent in a message asking for him. Jesus was told "Your mother and brothers
and sisters are outside asking for you". Jesus replied
"Who are my mother and brothers?"
Then looking round at the people sitting in a circle about him, he said.
"Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God,
that person is my brother and sister and mother".
Jesus, please help me to do
your will,
even if people sometimes think I'm crazy
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings:
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian with English, Chinese and
Spanish subtitles
Daniel Daring: Whoever does the will of God (in Chinese)
--------------------------------------------------------
10 years ago today: Visit to Mazenod Center, Ricci School, Marco Polo Center, hospital and Bahkita
Center by HK group from St Benedict's Parish in Shatin
------------------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------------------
To
go with today's first reading:
--------------------------------------
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 10th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hubei
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 10th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Guinea
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat June 9
After spending yesterday morning trying to clear a backlog of mail (100% prison-related) I spent the afternoon at Lai Chi Kok men's prison. Sad to meet a new drug mule from Africa. Actually from Europe...an elderly guy...but recruited/tricked to bring drugs to HK from Africa. The anti-drug campaign must keep going...
Letter in English from a HK Chinese woman in prison for drug trafficking - here
(May 26) and letter in English from a
Brazilian man in prison in HK for drug trafficking...trying to get
money for his financial burden (5 children, 4 wives) - here
(May 13)
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
55. This is one of the great convictions
that the Church has come firmly to hold. It is so clearly expressed in the word
of God that there can be no question of it. Like the supreme commandment of
love, this truth should affect the way we live, for it flows from the heart of
the Gospel and demands that we not only accept it intellectually but also make
it a source of contagious joy. Yet we cannot celebrate this free gift of the
Lord's friendship unless we realize that our earthly life and our natural
abilities are his gift. We need "to acknowledge jubilantly that our life is
essentially a gift, and recognize that our freedom is a grace. This is not easy
today, in a world that thinks it can keep something for itself, the fruits of
its own creativity or freedom".[61]
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Daniel 14: In
Babylon there was a temple with an idol named Bel to which lots of food and
drink were offered each day. 70 priests and their families used to eat the
food each night, having entered the temple by a secret door. The king believed
Bel ate the food. Daniel told him that an idol cannot eat anything. The 70
priests called for Daniel to be executed if he could not prove the idol was not
eating the food. Daniel got his servants to spread ashes over the temple floor.
Next morning he showed the king the footprints in the ashes. The king had the 70
priests and their families executed. The king had Bel destroyed.
Lord, please help people turn away from lifeless idols and serve you, the
Creator of the world
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
51: Have
mercy on me, God, in your kindness, and cleanse me of my sin. My offences truly
I know them. What is evil in your sight I have done. But in my defence please
don't forget that sinfulness is part of the human condition, part of our DNA. A
pure heart create for me, O God. Put a steadfast spirit within me. Give me again
the joy of your help. With a spirit of fervor sustain me.
Lord, you will not spurn a humbled, contrite heart
Listen
Romans
5.12-21: Through one man, Adam,
the virus of sin entered the world, and sin infected everyone with death.
Through one man, Jesus, the divine anti-virus of grace entered the
world, and brought the gift of eternal life to everyone who allows it to be
installed in their heart. The divine anti-virus
of grace is
more powerful than any sin virus
Jesus, please download and install in my heart your anti-virus program of
grace
Listen
For
today's Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
Luke 2.15-19:
After
the angels went away, the shepherds said to one another
"Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about". So
they quickly went and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
People who heard the shepherds talk about the angels were amazed.
As
for Mary, she treasured every moment of what had happened
and pondered the whole event in her heart
Mary,
please help us be people of reflection and prayer
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: When we think of Mary, we automatically think of Jesus. May our love for Mary help us remember her Son a bit more often.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today: Dragon Boat Festival holiday
- 3 groups of visitors - HK Caritas group, HK PIME Paul VI College group, Zhaoqing Number One Middle School
group - thank you for running most enjoyable activities at various centers
today
------------------------------------------
A few years ago my large umbrella went missing at Lai Chi
Kok men's prison (from staff rack at main entrance....no umbrellas allowed in
the prison), so since then I've always put "Fr John - Ph: 67095674" on
the handle of my umbrella. But yesterday at LCK history repeated itself .... no
umbrella when I came out. But not to worry....kind staff at main gate gave me an
umbrella that had been unclaimed for weeks....one better than the one I lost.
--------------------------------------
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 9th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Henan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 9th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Central
African Republic
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri June 8
Feast
of Sacred Heart of Jesus
"Over
the top" - the love in Jesus' heart (John
W)
Yesterday afternoon, with two other board members of the new NGO "Voice for
Prisoners", I attended a meeting at the Brazil consulate ....discussing a
number of issues, including the big problem of faulty security at Sao Paolo
airport.
After which the same three board members + one more attended a meeting with the members of a Trust who are kindly considering supporting "Voice for Prisoners".
Can
Cantonese survive? (America Magazine)
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
54. The Catechism of the Catholic Church also reminds us that the
gift of grace "surpasses the power of human intellect and will"[57]
and that "with regard to God, there is no strict right to any merit on the
part of man. Between God and us there is an immeasurable inequality".[58]
His friendship infinitely transcends us; we cannot buy it with our works, it can
only be a gift born of his loving initiative. This invites us to live in joyful
gratitude for this completely unmerited gift, since "after one has grace,
the grace already possessed cannot come under merit".[59]
The saints avoided putting trust in their own works: "In the evening of
this life, I shall appear before you empty-handed, for I do not ask you, Lord,
to count my works. All our justices have stains in your sight".[60]
-------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Readings from Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
2 Corinthians 5.14-19:
The love of Christ is
like a tsunami. It overwhelms us and sweeps us away when we remember how
Jesus died for everyone. God, through Christ, has repaired his friendship with
humanity. We must spread the news of this reconciliation.
"And when I think, that God his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I
scarce can take it in" - from song
"How Great Thou Art"
My recording of this reading
Ephesians 3.14-21: This
is what I pray, kneeling before the Father from whom every family, whether
spiritual or natural, takes it name: May he give you power through his
Spirit, for your hidden self to grow strong. May Christ live in your hearts
through faith. Planted in love and built on love, may you continually focus on the
love of Christ, until your life is filled with that
love.
Glory be to him whose power working in us, can do infinitely more than we
can ask or imagine. Glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church,
and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen
Recording
Matthew
11.25-30: One day Jesus prayed: Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, I am joyfully amazed at the way simple people understand and
accept what I'm saying, while proud and clever people miss the plot. And he said
to the ordinary people: Come to me, all you who are treated unfairly by unjust
religious laws. I will give you peace and justice. Learn from me, and you will
know peace, for I am gentle and humble of heart.
Jesus, please help people who are suffering from unjust religious laws
John
19.31-37: The next day was the Passover. To
prevent the bodies remaining on the crosses during the Passover, the soldiers
broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus,
they saw that he was already dead. Instead of breaking his legs,
they pierced his side with a spear.
Immediately there came out blood and water. And so the Scriptures were fulfilled
"Not one of his bones will be broken" and "They will look on the
one they have pierced".
Jesus, please help me understand how blood and water are symbols of the
Eucharist and Baptism
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
A
beautiful reflection:
The
heart of Jesus and our hearts
----------------------------------------------
10 years ago today: Visit to poor areas & to Yunfu leper center
by staff and students from HK Tsuen Wan PIME Paul VI College
------------------------------------------
After yesterday afternoon's two meetings I was just able to
get to the 6.30 meal with homeless people in Yau Ma Tei ....and was really happy
to see Banki, an Indian asylum seeker who disappeared from the radar nearly two
months ago. I had feared his emaciated frame had left this world. Turns out he'd
been in hospital ....and couldn't contact me....had lost my card. MercyHK now
trying to help him find accommodation ....and apply to go back to India. He is
on my right in second photo here
--------------------------------------
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 8th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Heilongjiang
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 8th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Siera Leone
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu June 7
Yesterday
morning was spent at the desk...trying to catch up on mail/email etc....then an
afternoon visit to the dentist for 2nd of 3 sessions for a root
canal...groan...but may I recommend the best dentist I've ever known: Dr Charles
Li in Jordan. He is really good. His
website. Then I went to Tsim Sha Tsui to enroll two more prisoners at the
Chinese University office...enjoying a walk in the lovely much-needed rain!
(I was a teacher at Mazenod
College 1973-75):
Gold
medallist "returns home" with a message
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
53. The Second Synod of Orange taught with
firm authority that nothing human can demand, merit or buy the gift of divine
grace, and that all cooperation with it is a prior gift of that same grace:
"Even the desire to be cleansed comes about in us through the outpouring
and working of the Holy Spirit".[55]
Subsequently, the Council of Trent, while emphasizing the importance of our
cooperation for spiritual growth, reaffirmed that dogmatic teaching: "We
are said to be justified gratuitously because nothing that precedes
justification, neither faith nor works, merits the grace of justification; for
'if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace
would no longer be grace' (Rom 11:6)".[56]
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Daniel
13: A beautiful woman named Susanna
was condemned to death on a false charge of immorality. God stirred Daniel's heart to help Susanna.
Daniel confronted Susanna's two accusers, two elderly Jewish men. Daniel had the two men separated.
He then asked them individually where the alleged crime took place. One of them said "under a mastic
tree."
The other said "under an oak tree." The people then realized the men were lying.
The people praised God for giving such wisdom to Daniel. Susanna was freed.
The two men were executed, as required by the Law.
Lord, please help people who
have been falsely accused of crimes
Recording
Psalms
49-50: I will turn my mind to a parable,
with the harp I will solve a problem. The problem is: why do bad people prosper and
succeed? The answer: at the end of their lives bad
people will have to face death and judgement, just like everyone else. When we are rich, we often lack wisdom.
Wealth blinds our minds and hearts. Let's not forgot God and his laws.
Let's try to be good and lead good lives
Lord, please help me understand
the meaning of life
Recording
Romans 5.1-5: By faith and through Jesus we can live in the
friendship of God. We look forward to heaven and an end to all
suffering. In the meantime our suffering teaches us
patience.
Patience produces perseverance. Perseverance produces hope. This hope is not imaginary. It's real, since
the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has
been given to us
Jesus, through your Holy Spirit, please give
me more hope
Listen
Luke
22-23: At daybreak there was a meeting of the
religious leaders.
Jesus was brought before them. They asked him "Are you the Son of
God?". He replied "Yes".
They said "We have heard his blasphemy from his own lips". They took him to the Roman governor,
Pilate, and made many false accusations against him. Pilate said "I find no case against
him". Jesus was then taken to King Herod who made fun of him and sent
him back to Pilate.
Jesus, on trial before the leaders, before
Herod and before Pilate, please help all prisoners who are on trial today
Listen
Reflection
on the above Bible readings: Pilate
knew the religious leaders were lying about Jesus ...but he also knew they were
threatening to report him to Rome....so for the sake of his career Pilate
became history's most notorious judge. Big contrast between Daniel and
Pilate....
-----------------------------
------------------------------------------
Yesterday when I went to the market to buy some oranges I
was pleased to come across some lovely oranges from Egypt priced at only HK$2
each!
--------------------------------------
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 7th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hebei
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 7th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Burkina Faso
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday,
please pacify Al-Qaeda
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed June 6
Last night I had the privilege of saying Mass at the cathedral
for the HK Serra Club after which I
was a guest speaker at their bi-monthly meeting held at the nearby Caritas
restaurant. A wonderful group of dedicated Catholics.
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
52. The Church has repeatedly taught that we
are justified not by our own works or efforts, but by the grace of the Lord, who
always takes the initiative. The Fathers of the Church, even before Saint
Augustine, clearly expressed this fundamental belief. Saint John Chrysostom said
that God pours into us the very source of all his gifts even before we enter
into battle.[53]
Saint Basil the Great remarked that the faithful glory in God alone, for "they
realize that they lack true justice and are justified only through faith in
Christ".[54]
--------------------------------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
You just call on my name ...
Recently, there was a Royal Wedding. These things happen, but this was different
By chance, on the same day as Chris' engaging article, above, came in
my email, there was also another message, from USA, also speaking about the
royal wedding preacher ...regretting that from the point of view of Ecumenism,
the preacher is unfortunately a source of division - here
-------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Daniel 8-12:
Daniel received many visions from God,
usually after a special time of prayer and fasting. Daniel was given glimpses of the future,
the rise and fall of nations. He also was given to understand what happens
after this life:
"The dead will rise from the grave,
some to everlasting life,
some to everlasting shame. Those who have instructed others in virtue,
will shine like stars for all eternity."
Lord, please help everyone get
to Heaven
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
47-48: All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with
shouts of joy.
For the Lord, our Creator, we must love and honor,
great king over all the earth. Especially in his holy city is the Lord worthy
to be praised.
Praise is fitting in Mount Sion, our earth's most sacred site. O God, as we pray in your temple,
our hearts meditate on your love. May peoples and rulers everywhere
acknowledge and love you as Creator of the Universe
Let all the peoples praise you, Lord. Let all the peoples praise you
Listen
Romans
4.1-25: Remember our ancestor Abraham. He put his
faith in God,
and this was how he became holy. We too must put our faith in God the Father
who raised Jesus from the dead to make us holy.
Jesus, please increase my faith. Help me
believe like Abraham
Listen
Luke
22.63-65: The men who were guarding Jesus mocked him
and beat him.
They blindfolded him. "Since you are a prophet", they said,
"tell us who hit you just then". And they continued heaping insults on him
Jesus, please stop me from making offensive
fun of other people
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Jesus stayed silent...when insulted. How quick we are to re-act when the slightest criticism is made of us. Sometimes, for the sake of our family/work/faith etc we should speak up....but usually we speak up for the sake of our ....pride.
-------------------------------------------------------
10 years ago today: Many
thanks to staff & students of Saint Eugene College, Burpengary, near
Brisbane, for donating AUD$600 from your Crazy Socks Day to help poor families in
Zhaoqing
------------------------------------------
Letter from South American received a few days ago had
"Ohio" after my name. Yesterday the penny fell: "O.M.I."!
--------------------------------------
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 6th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hainan
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 6th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liberia
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
---------------------------------------------
My Africa trips:
2015: Tanzania, Malawi
2016:
Kenya, Uganda
2017:
Southern Africa, Dubai (
The
Last Run)
2018:
My trip to Latin America
March 18, 2018: South China Morning Post report on my work
--------------------
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
|
On revolving map: Left click bottom right silver button Left click country Left click state/province ....till you find your city/town ! |
|
Left click this table of flags for details of hits on this main page
|
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!
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)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .