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
Name
& shame
Tues Aug 7
One of my jobs from time to time (... at least once a month) is
ordering text books for prisoners who are taking university long-distance
courses. Rarely are such books available in HK so I usually order from Amazon.
On July 30 I ordered a book from the US .... and it arrived last Saturday (Aug
4) .... a big book with several hundred pages. Does Amazon have its own
planes?
Speaking of books for prisoners: over the past few years I've distributed
several dozen copies of Long Walk to Freedom
by Nelson Mandela - mainly to African prisoners facing long sentences. Last week
I did something I haven't done before: I started reading LWTF. It's great. Hard
to put down.
Another
church demolished in China
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
114. We
need to recognize and combat our aggressive and selfish inclinations, and
not let them take root. "Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go
down on your anger" (Eph 4:26). When
we feel overwhelmed, we can always cling to the anchor of prayer, which
puts us back in God's hands and the source of our peace. "Have no anxiety
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts" (Phil 4:6-7).
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The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Genesis 50: After mourning their father for 70 days
Joseph and his brothers went to Canaan and buried Jacob there.
Many of Pharaoh's officials went with Joseph to Canaan.
When the group returned to Egypt,
Joseph's brothers again asked him to forgive them
for selling him as a slave.
Joseph replied "God has turned this evil into good,
and through me has helped many people.
So do not be afraid.
I will provide for you and your families".
Joseph lived to see his children's children.
Before he died, he asked that his bones one day
be taken back to Canaan.
Dear God, thank you for the
beautiful story of Joseph
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
120-121: I call to the Lord in the hour of my
distress:
"Lord save me from people who speak with lying lips". Long enough have I been dwelling with those
who hate peace.
I am for peace, but they are for fighting. I lift up my eyes to the mountains.
From where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord
who made heaven and earth. The Lord is our guard and our shade.
Day and night we shall not be afraid. The Lord will guard our going and coming
both now and forever.
Lord, please protect us from
danger, day and night
Listen
2
Corinthians
11-12:
Remember how much I have suffered for the sake
of the Good News: 5 times I had the 39 lashes from the Jews; 3 times I was beaten with sticks;
once I was stoned; 3 times I was shipwrecked; I have often been starving. This should prove to you that I am a
genuine apostle, not after money or fame or power. It is you I want, not
your possessions
Jesus, help church workers want souls,
not money/fame/power
Listen
John
12.12-19:
People who had gone to Jerusalem for the
Passover,
heard that Jesus was coming down to Jerusalem from Bethany. They used palm branches as they went out
to meet him, shouting "Hosanna! Blessings on the King of Israel who
comes in the name of the Lord". Jesus rode a young donkey down the hill, just
as the Scriptures had predicted: "Daughter of Sion, behold! Your king is
coming, mounted on the colt of a donkey". Some religious leaders said to each other
"Look, there is nothing you can do. The whole world is running after
him"
Jesus, humbly entering Jerusalem on a donkey,
may you be known and welcomed and praised by the whole world
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: This is a most interesting chart, showing how Joseph (first reading) pre-figured Jesus
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The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why. "Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon." "How come He doesn't answer it?" she asked.
--------------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
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Mon Aug 6
On this anniversary of Hiroshima:
Conclusion of Paul Ham: H & N:
--------
New file in Name and Shame folder:
photos and names of 3 men who recruited a vulnerable Venezuelan woman to bring
drugs to HK, with her story in Spanish and English - here
HK's tourism chief shamelessly sacrificing
city to please big bosses in Beijing
Yesterday when I was preparing a support letter for a West
African man whose case will be in Court of Appeal soon, I looked for an item I
put some time ago on Nigeria's No. 1 blog ... and found that someone else had
added an item about my work ... which generated many comments - here
(.... such publicity, of course, most useful for stopping other drug mules
coming to HK)
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
113. Saint Paul bade the Romans not to repay
evil for evil (cf. Rom 12:17), not to seek revenge (v. 19), and not to be
overcome by evil, but instead to "overcome evil with good" (v. 21). This
attitude is not a sign of weakness but of true strength, because God
himself "is slow to anger but great in power" (Nah 1:3). The
word of God exhorts us to "put away all bitterness and wrath and wrangling
and slander, together with all malice" (Eph 4:31).
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The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Feast of the Transfiguration
Daniel 7: Once
when Daniel was asleep, he had a vision of heaven: "Thrones were put in
place and one of great age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, his hair
as pure as wool. A thousand thousand waited on him, ten thousand times ten
thousand stood before him. Then coming on the clouds of heaven was one like a
son of man. On him was conferred glory and kingship, and people of all
nations became his servants. His kingship is eternal. His empire will never be
destroyed."
Jesus, please help me understand that you are the "Son of Man" whose
kingship is eternal
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
97: The Lord is king, let
earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his robes.
His throne is justice and goodness. The skies proclaim his goodness. All peoples
see his glory. Let those who serve idols be ashamed. Let all creation worship
the Creator. Light shines forth for good people
and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice in the Lord, all good people. Give
glory to his holy name.
Lord, you indeed are God of the universe
Recording
2
Peter 1.12-18: As long as I am in this passing
world, my duty is to keep on reminding you of the truths we hold dear. Writing
this letter is one way of making sure that after my departure you will still
have a way of recalling the truths we hold dear. These truths are not cleverly
invented myths. I myself saw the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was
honored and glorified by God the Father, when the Sublime Glory himself
spoke to him and said "This is my Son, the Beloved. He enjoys my
favor". I heard this myself, spoken from heaven, when I was with Jesus on
the holy mountain.
Jesus, Beloved Son, may more and more people
accept the truth of your Good News
Recording
Matthew
17.1-8: One day Jesus took his disciples
Peter, James and John up a high mountain. On the mountain Jesus' whole
appearance changed. His face shone like the sun. His clothes were as white as
snow. The prophets Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with him. Peter
said to Jesus "Lord, how good it is for us to be here!" Then a bright
cloud covered them with its shadow. From the cloud came a voice: "This is
my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him." The disciples bowed to the ground.
When they got up, they saw only Jesus in his normal appearance.
Jesus, Beloved Son of God, how good it is to
spend time with you in prayer.
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
May today's Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus give us hope and courage to do whatever we can to help transform our troubled word into a better place
A beautiful song about the Transfiguration: We Behold
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At
last night's gathering for the poor at Yau Ma Tei a woman in her 40's smiled at
me from a chair in the back of the hall. Her face was familiar but I didn't
recognise her until she stood up: she used to come in a wheel chair but now can
walk! She's been blessed by the dedication of a kind doctor ... and by her own
prayers and those of many other people. Thank you Jesus!
--------------------------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
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Sun Aug 5
After a morning at the desk yesterday I went to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for the
monthly Mass for volunteers and families of recently deceased patients. After
the Mass I went as usual to the custodial ward of the hospital to visit Jesus x
2 ("I was in prison/hospital and you
came to see me").
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
112. The first of these great signs is solid grounding in the God who
loves and sustains us. This source of
inner strength enables us to persevere amid life's ups and downs, but
also to endure hostility, betrayal and failings on the part of others. "If
God is for us, who is against us?" (Rom 8:31): this is the source of
the peace found in the saints. Such
inner strength makes it possible for us, in our fast-paced, noisy and aggressive
world, to give a witness of holiness through patience and constancy in doing
good. It is a sign of the fidelity born of love, for those who put their
faith in God (pistis) can also be faithful to others (pistos).
They do not desert others in bad times; they accompany them in their anxiety and
distress, even though doing so may not bring immediate satisfaction.
-----------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 13
Exodus 16: As the
Israelites traveled through the desert
they began to complain about not having enough food.
So God rained down bread, manna, from heaven
in the form of a coating of dew
which appeared on the ground each morning,
as well as flocks of quails which came every evening.
For forty years the Israelites ate manna and quails,
bread and birds.
Dear
God, thank you for the food we have each day
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
78: Listen, everyone, to my teaching.
I will recount the lessons of our history. The things our parents have told us,
we will not hide from our children,
but will pass them on to the next
generation. We want the next generation to know all that the Lord has done for us in the past.
May the next generation in turn
pass on this knowledge to their own children,
so that they too will put their hope in God
and never forget all that God has done for us. May future generations not be like our
ancestors
who so often were unfaithful to God. Even though our ancestors had seen God part
the sea,
even though they had seen him provide food and water for them
in the desert, still they went on sinning. Yet he who is full of compassion forgave and
spared them.
He remembered they were only weak humans. Eventually he brought them to the promised
land
and gave a home to each of Israel's tribes. But still they sinned by building mountain
shrines
and serving idols. Then God raised up David to be their
leader.
God called him from looking after sheep to be the shepherd of his people.
Lord, help us not to forget all
you have done for us
Listen
Ephesians
4.22-32: You must give up your old way of life.
You must put aside your old self and its delusions. Your mind must be renewed by a spiritual
revolution, so that you can follow a way of life based on goodness and
truth. From now on, no more lies.
Delete anger from your mind at the end of each day. Anyone who was a thief must stop stealing. Try
to find a decent job. Guard against foul talk.
Let your conversation encourage people, not drag them down. Avoid grudges. Don't lose your temper.
Don't raise your voice to anyone. Don't call people names. Be friends with one another, and kind,
forgiving one another as readily as God forgives us in Christ
Jesus, help me put these words into
practice
Listen
John
6.26-29: Jesus said to the people "You have come
looking for me because you had so much bread to eat. Do not give so much concern to physical
food.
Be more concerned about the spiritual food that lasts
forever.
This is the food I am offering you"
Jesus, please give us the food that lasts
forever
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Our bodies need food each day .... several times each day. So do our hearts and minds need spiritual food each day .... several times each day. For me these readings are the main part of my daily spiritual food .... morning ..... during the day ....evening. I hope many readers will also use these readings each day .... check them on the way to work/school ....check them again around lunchtime .....and again last thing at night.
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and
Spanish
Daniel Daring: Bread of Life
--------------------------------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------------------
To
keep her brain active, my dear mother used to do crossword puzzles, especially
the cryptic type. For my brain I have an easier exercise, a daily (or sometimes
twice daily) game of Chess at www.Chess.com
Earlier this year my rating was in the high 900's, but now I'm back to high
800's ...good for my humility
--------------------------------------
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 5th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guizhou
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 5th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Chad
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
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Sat Aug 4
Yesterday I was at Tai Lam women's prison from 8.30am to 5.30pm ... will need
many hours to process all the follow-up jobs. Towards the end of the day I
happened to meet the new Superintendent ... a very kind and friendly lady. After
meeting her I asked a female member of staff what happened to the kind and
friendly man who used to be Superintendent? Staff member replied with a sigh:
"looking after women ho ma farn. Not job for man". ("ho ma farn"
is Cantonese for "very troublesome").
Guyana's border towns threatened by violent gangs as Venezuela crisis deepens
This is the sort of fight other countries can expect soon:
Activists
stop LGBT anti-therapy bill in Massachusetts
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
110. Within the
framework of holiness offered by the Beatitudes and Matthew 25:31-46, I would
like to mention a few signs or spiritual attitudes that, in my opinion, are
necessary if we are to understand the way of life to which the Lord calls us. I
will not pause to explain the means of sanctification already known to us: the
various methods of prayer, the inestimable sacraments of the Eucharist and
Reconciliation, the offering of personal sacrifices, different forms of
devotion, spiritual direction, and many others as well. Here I will speak only
of certain aspects of the call to
holiness that I hope will prove especially meaningful.
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Genesis
47-49: Pharaoh met Jacob and
Joseph's brothers
and welcomed them to be shepherds in the land of Goshen.
Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh humbly received Jacob's blessing.
Joseph provided food for his family during the famine.
As the famine got worse
the Egyptians sold their livestock and their farms to Joseph
in return for grain.
Joseph made the Egyptians promise
that when the famine was over
they would give one fifth of their produce to Pharaoh.
Jacob lived in Egypt for seventeen more years
before he died in Joseph's arms.
Before his death,
Jacob blessed all his sons.
Jacob adopted and also blessed Joseph's two sons
Ephraim and Manasseh
Dear God, please bless Egypt
and Israel, and help them be friends
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
119: They are happy who follow God's word,
those who seek God with all their hearts. How can young people avoid evil?
By seeking you and obeying you, Lord. Open my eyes, Lord, that I may understand the beauty of your word.
Lord, when I'm worried or in trouble,
your word revives me and gives me strength. Lord, keep my eyes from what is false.
Bend my heart to your word and not to love of gain. The word from your mouth means more to me
than silver and gold. The unfolding of your word gives light
and teaches simple people.
Lord, thank you for your word
which gives peace to our hearts
Listen
2
Corinthians
8.9 - 9.7:
Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was.
He was rich, but he became poor for our sake, to make us rich. So we also should help people who are poor. If
we have extra
we should help people who don't have enough. Maybe some day, the same poor people will be
rich,
and we will be poor, and they will help us. And don't forget, God loves a cheerful giver
Jesus, help me do more to help poor
people
Listen
John
12.1-8: Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to
Bethany,
for a dinner at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Mary put expensive ointment on Jesus' feet.
Then she wiped his feet with her hair. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who was going to
betray Jesus, said "Why wasn't this ointment sold and the money given
to the poor?" He said this not because he cared about the
poor, but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the moneybag and would
steal from it. Jesus replied "Leave her alone. She is
anticipating and honoring my burial. Besides, the poor will always be with
you. But I will soon be gone"
Jesus, please help people in charge of money
not to steal
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: 2 Corinthians and John 12 both mention caring about the poor. But big difference between Paul and Judas as regards helping the poor.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today: Macau St Lawrence
team at Marco Polo - final 2 days +
roof raising + Olympic swimming & Olympic cycling
------------------------------------------
Who
is the bishop of the moon?! (...not a
lunatic..?)
--------------------------------------
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 4th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangdong
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 4th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mozambique
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
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Fri Aug 3
It's hard to avoid the long-held view
that people exist for Big Business in HK, that the HK govt exists for BB, that
the HK govt does not really care about people:
Human trafficking and forced labour are not crimes in Hong Kong!
Press release re
Court of Appeal ruling on human trafficking in HK
Pope declares death penalty
"inadmissible" in Catholic teachings
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
109. The powerful witness of the saints is
revealed in their lives, shaped by the Beatitudes and the criterion of the final
judgement. Jesus' words are few and
straightforward, yet practical and valid for everyone, for Christianity
is meant above all to be put into practice. It can also be an object of study
and reflection, but only to help us better live the Gospel in our daily lives. I
recommend rereading these great biblical texts frequently, referring back to
them, praying with them, trying to embody them. They will benefit us; they will
make us genuinely happy.
-------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Genesis 46: Jacob and his whole
family, about 70 people,
took all their possessions and moved to Egypt.
God said to Jacob "I myself will go down to Egypt with you".
Joseph was ready for their arrival in Egypt.
As soon as his father appeared, Joseph ran to greet him.
Joseph threw his arms around his father
and cried for a long time on his father's shoulder.
Jacob said to Joseph
"Now that I have seen you again,
I can die in peace".
Dear God, please help separated
family members to be re-united
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
118: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
His love has no end. Let the sons of Israel say:
"His love has no end." Let those who honor the Lord say:
"His love has no end." It is better to take refuge in the Lord than
to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. I was falling, falling, falling,
but the Lord was my helper. The Lord is my strength and my song.
He is my saviour. The Lord's right hand has triumphed.
His right hand has raised me up. I shall not die, I shall live
and recount all his deeds. The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord.
We rejoice and are glad.
Lord, we give thanks to you,
for you are good. Your love has no end
Listen
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 the song "How Great Thou Art"
Listen
John
11.46-54: The religious leaders had a meeting to decide
what to do about Jesus. They said "If this man keeps on doing miracles, everyone will follow him. Then
the Romans will see him as a threat, and they will wipe out our
nation". The main leader said "It is better
for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be
destroyed". These words had more meaning than the leader
realized, since Jesus was to die not just for the nation, but for the
whole world. Since the leaders wanted to kill him, Jesus
went to a remote area near the desert, and stayed there with his disciples
Jesus, please help me better understand how
your death saved the world
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: By his death and resurrection Jesus overcame the power of death ... a victory he shares with us. He has saved us from the power of death. For Paul, this was an overpowering thought: Jesus died for everyone.
----------------------------------------------
As usual, Pope Francis S.J. had
a meeting with Jesuits on July 31 (Feast of Jesuit founder St Ignatius of
Loyola):
In his short address to the Jesuits, the Holy Father said he laughed when they
spoke of "unifying Jesuit ministry." He recalled an unnamed General of
the Society who, when he was reminded that the General's duty was to shepherd
the Jesuits, responded, "Yes, but it's like shepherding a flock of
frogs!" - in this
report
--------------------------------------
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 3rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Gansu
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 3rd of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Burundi
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
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Thu Aug 2
Yesterday morning I was at the High Court for two drug
trafficking cases: a Bengali man and a Nigerian man - both of them set-up by
"Big Fish". The Drug Lord who set up the Bengali man is a Big Fish
about whom I published information because same info when given to police
several months ago produced no fruit ... and BF has continued to put people in
prison. Quote of the Week was heard by yesterday's prosecution lawyer, who,
during a break in proceedings, remarked that the government might shut down my
website because I am endangering police informers!!! BF aint no ordinary
"legitimate"(?) informer. He's a big Drug Lord and Crime Boss engaged
in widespread illegal activity harmful to HK society. How much longer will this
nonsense go on?
At Jordan MTR (Metro) station when I exited the train on my return from the High
Court, as I walked along the platform past the next carriage, I noticed a man in
a wheel chair having trouble boarding the train. I offered to help him, as did a
man inside the carriage who got out onto the platform. But as we had the
wheelchair almost halfway onto the train, the train doors began shutting, so we
quickly pulled the man back onto the platform ... and friends of the man who had
left the carriage signaled to him to say they'd meet him at the next station!
Recommended by reader in Australia:
Proposed
New Zealand Abuse Commission
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
108. Hedonism and
consumerism can prove our downfall, for when
we are obsessed with our own pleasure, we end up being all too concerned
about ourselves and our rights, and we feel a desperate need for free time to
enjoy ourselves. We will find it hard to feel and show any real concern for
those in need, unless we are able to cultivate a certain simplicity of life,
resisting the feverish demands of a consumer society, which leave us
impoverished and unsatisfied, anxious to have it all now. Similarly, when
we allow ourselves to be caught up in superficial information, instant
communication and virtual reality, we can waste precious time and become
indifferent to the suffering flesh of our brothers and sisters. Yet even amid
this whirlwind of activity, the Gospel continues to resound, offering us the
promise of a different life, a healthier and happier life.
--------------------------------------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Genesis 45: When Joseph realized his older brothers
were sorry for having sold him as a slave
he was overcome and started crying loudly.
He told his brothers "I am your brother Joseph
whom you sold into Egypt.
God sent me here to provide food for you".
He hugged all his brothers and talked with them.
Joseph told his brothers to bring their father
and their families to Egypt
since the famine would last for five more years.
Pharaoh was pleased that Joseph's brothers had come
and warmly invited them to live in Egypt.
The brothers returned to Canaan.
They told their father that Joseph was alive.
Their father Jacob was overcome with joy.
Dear God, please help separated
family members to be re-united
Recording
Psalm 117: O Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Acclaim him, all you peoples! Strong is his love for us.
He is faithful for ever. May all the nations love and
praise you, Lord
Recording
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
John 11.1-44: Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived
in the village of Bethany. When Lazarus became very sick, the sisters sent
a message to Jesus "Lord, your dear friend is very sick". By the time Jesus and his disciples
arrived in Bethany,
Lazarus was dead and buried for 4 days. Martha said to Jesus "If you had been
here, my brother would not have died". Jesus replied "I am the resurrection and
the life. If anyone believes in me, he will have life after death". Jesus said to Mary and Martha "Where have
you put him?" Jesus cried as he went to the tomb. The tomb was a
cave with a stone at the entrance. Jesus said "Take the stone away".
Then he called out in a loud voice "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, wrapped in burial
clothes. Jesus said "Unwrap him and let him go free".
Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life.
Please give eternal life to my friend (....name...) who died recently
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: In 2 Cor, Paul speaks about this life being like a temporary tent .... words from a tent-maker!
-----------------------------
Yesterday
at Jordan MTR (Metro) station as I began my journey to the High Court, I noticed
a long line of people queueing at the station's cake shop ..... and I realised
... people have begun buying moon cakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival (Sep 25)!
--------------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Mon:
Tues:
Wed:
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid:
Sat:
Cent,
Jesus,
today, Thursday,
please bless
the people of
And praying for prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 2nd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 2nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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Wed Aug 1
Interview
in Cantonese with students at Oblate Primary School, Kowloon - here:
(link not working ..so here is complete link:
http://www.ops.edu.hk/index/tv/mp4/1718/20180628_%E8%83%A1%E7%A5%9E%E7%88%B6%E8%A8%AA%E5%95%8F.mp4)(towards end has picture of St
Eugene de Mazenod ... very appropriate... Eugene's birthday today... 1861)
Today is the death anniversary (1834) of the first
Protestant missionary to China, Robert
Morrison, "the Protestant Matteo Ricci". I
had the privilege of visiting his grave in Macau in 2008 - fourth row of photos at
this link. A marvelous book: Robert
Morrison and the Birth of Chinese Protestantism. Morrison arrived in
China in 1807, produced the first Protestant Chinese Bible and laid the
foundation for the Chinese Protestant Church.
Two dear friends have gone home to Heaven in the past few days: Margaret
(from Notre Dame Parish in HK) and Fr John O'Doherty O.M.I.
in Brisbane (.. a fellow seminarian of 50 years ago ...who visited
my home in Jordan a few years ago). Jesus, thank you for their lives. May
their prayers on the other side of the veil in Heaven help us on this side of
the veil until we meet again.
Pope's new letter -
"Rejoice and Be Glad":
107. Those who really wish to
give glory to God by their lives, who truly long to grow in holiness, are called
to be single-minded and tenacious in their practice of the works of mercy. Saint
Teresa of Calcutta clearly realized this: "Yes, I have many human faults and
failures. But God bends down and uses us, you and me, to be his love and his
compassion in the world; he bears our sins, our troubles and our faults. He
depends on us to love the world and to show how much he loves it. If we are too
concerned with ourselves, we will have no time left for others".[94]
--------------------------------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
The Transfigured Christ
Each of us can identify some such turning point, some significant occasion in
our lives
-------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Genesis 44: Joseph had his
brothers' sacks filled with free grain,
then he gave them back their money.
But he again put them to the test:
he got his servants to put his special chalice
in Benjamin's sack.
Not long after the brothers left,
Joseph's servants caught up with them
and asked them why had they stolen Joseph's chalice.
They replied that they would never dream of doing such a thing
and that if the chalice was found in anyone's sack
that man would die.
Each man's sack was opened, beginning with the oldest,
and finally the chalice was discovered in Benjamin's sack.
On returning to Joseph's home
the brothers pleaded with Joseph not to punish Benjamin.
Judah even offered to be Joseph's slave for life
in return for Benjamin's freedom
Dear God, please
help
us in time of trial
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
116: I love the Lord for he has heard the cry of
my appeal.
He turned his ear to me in the day when I called him. They surrounded me, sorrow, distress and the
snares of death.
I was helpless, so the Lord saved me. Calm down my soul, for the Lord has been good.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to
me?
The cup of salvation I will raise to thank the Lord. O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the
death of his faithful.
Lord, you have loosened my bonds. I am your servant.
Thank you, Lord, for all your
goodness to me
Listen
2
Corinthians
4-5: 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
John 10.23-38: When Jesus was walking in the Temple, some
religious leaders said to him "If you are the Christ, tell us
plainly". Jesus replied "I have told you, but you
do not believe me. The miracles I do in my Father's name also witness to
who I am. The Father and I are one". The leaders picked up stones to stone Jesus
and said "We will stone you for blasphemy. You are only a man
and you claim to be God". Jesus replied "If I am not doing my
Father's work, then do not believe me. But if am doing my Father's
work, you must know that the Father and I are one. He is in me and I
am in him".
Jesus, please help more people believe that
you are the Son of God
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Jesus quite clearly claimed to be God ... and he backed up his claim by doing things that could be done only by God's power....e.g. calming a storm.
-------------------------------------------------------
HK's weather is so unusually hot that street sleepers are
increasingly making a bee-line during the day time for places with
air-conditioning .....yesterday I even saw one guy camping in the private box
area of the local post office!
--------------------------------------
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 1st
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Anhui
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 1st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Congo
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, 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
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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
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