V2Catholic.com
A voice for the poor
by HK prison chaplain 胡頌恆神父
Fr John Wotherspoon
O.M.I.
jdwomi@gmail.com
+852 67095674
Imitating
Pope Francis 78
Fri Aug 21
This afternoon I'm hoping to visit Lai Chi Kok men's prison,
after some special meetings in the morning. An old joke has Robinson Crusoe
saying "thank Goodness it's Friday", but each week I finding myself
saying "Is it Friday already?"!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Australia
condemns "insulting" Israeli decision re murder of aid worker
83. For individuals as well as for nations, development is both a duty and a right. Minimum conditions are required for enabling every person and people to flourish in accord with their dignity, without being kept in a state of dependence or excluded from access to necessary goods. Development is truly human when it places people at the center instead of the accumulation of wealth, and when it concerns peoples as well as individuals. Justice demands the recognition of the rights of society and the rights of peoples, and includes a responsibility toward future generations. Development is not truly human if it increases consumption for some while shifting costs and burdens onto others, or relegates entire regions to subordinate roles, preventing them from realizing their full potential. [111] Development is integral when it is not limited to the economic sphere, but promotes quality of life in its spiritual, cultural, moral and relational dimensions, while respecting our common home, the diversity of peoples and their ways of life. [112]
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Deuteronomy 7: Moses continued his
speech to the people:
"You are a people consecrated to the Lord your God.
It is you that the Lord our God has chosen
to be his very own people out of all the peoples on the earth.
But know this:
if the Lord set his heart on you and chose you,
it was not because you outnumbered other peoples.
In fact you were the least of all peoples.
It was for love of you and to keep his promise to our ancestors
that the Lord chose you.
Listen then to these ordinances, be true to them and observe them,
and in return the Lord your God will be true to you.
He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers.
He will bless the fruit of your body and the produce of your soil,
your corn, your wine, your oil, the issue of your cattle,
the young of your flock.
No man or woman among will shall be barren,
no male or female of your beasts infertile.
The Lord will keep all sickness far from you.
Be loyal then to the Lord
and have nothing to do with the religious practices
of the people you will conquer."
Dear
God, please help us to love you as we should
01
02
Psalm
133: How good and how pleasant it is
when people live in unity. It is like precious oil upon the head,
running down upon the beard. It is like the dew of Hermon
which falls on the heights of Zion. For there the Lord gives his blessing,
life for ever.
Dear Lord, please help all the
peoples of the world to live as one family, in unity.
Listen
Acts
24.27 - 25.12:
After two years, Felix was succeeded
by Festus.
Festus arranged a new trial for Paul. The religious leaders repeated their
accusations. Paul repeated his innocence. Festus wanted to gain favor with the
leaders so he said to Paul
"Are you willing to go to Jerusalem for a trial with the full council
of religious leaders, at which I would preside?" Paul knew his rights, and stood his
ground, not wanting to go to a kangaroo court in Jerusalem. So he invoked
his right as a Roman citizen: "I appeal to Caesar".
Festus replied "You have
appealed to Caesar;
to Caesar (Rome) you shall go"
Jesus, please give us courage
to stand up for our rights
Listen
John
19.25-30: Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his
mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Seeing his mother and John the apostle
standing near her, Jesus said to his mother "He is your son".
Then to John he said "She is your mother". From
that moment, John regarded Mary as his own mother. Jesus said "My work is finished".
Then he bowed his head and died
We adore you Lord Jesus and we
praise you,
because you have redeemed the world
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Considering that John's own mother ("his mother's sister") was also standing at the foot of the cross, the words "She is your mother" can be understood to me that John is representing all people
-------------------------
US
national debt is $40 trillion
-------------------------
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 the
people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Yunnan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Afghanistan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Aug 20
Yesterday
at the High Court a man from the Mainland was given bail - THANK
YOU JESUS! The man's outstanding legal team put
together such a strong case that the Department of Justice did not oppose bail!
In fact there is a hope that the case (money laundering) might soon be dropped.
Good news: Colombian
farmers growing palm oil instead of coca!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Why
Netanyahu needs to be at war
82. In his Encyclical Populorum Progressio, Paul VI affirmed that development is authentic only if it is “integral,” meaning that it can “foster the development of each man and of the whole man.”[110] In the decades that followed, the Social Doctrine of the Church reprised and reflected on this expression in order to indicate the practical ways in which the noble principles — dignity, the common good, the universal destination of goods, subsidiarity, solidarity and social justice — are implemented in real life. By “integral human development,” we mean a process in which the growth of individuals and peoples encompasses all dimensions of existence and opens the future to subsequent generations as well.
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Deuteronomy 6: Moses continued his
speech to the people:
"Listen Israel. You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.
Let these words I urge on you today
be written on your heart.
You shall repeat them to your children and say them
when you are resting in your house or going for a walk,
when you are lying down and when you get up.
You shall fasten them on your hand as a sign
and on your forehead as a circlet.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house
and on your gates"
Dear
Lord, please help us to love you with all our hearts
Recording
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
Recording
Acts 24.1-26: When the religious leaders arrived,
they put their case to Felix.
They summed up their accusations by saying "The plain truth is that
we find this man to be a perfect pest.
He stirs up trouble among Jews everywhere, and is a ringleader of the
Nazarene sect". Paul replied "In regard to the
Way, which they malign as a sect,
I serve and worship the very same God worshipped by our ancestors. I live
in hope that God will raise the dead. If that's my crime, my accusers are
just as guilty as I am". Felix postponed a decision. He met
with Paul many times, hoping Paul would offer him a
bribe
Jesus, please help judges to avoid
bribery
Listen
Matthew 27.45-54: Jesus was put on the cross about
9am.
From about noon until 3pm there was darkness over all the land. About 3pm Jesus cried out the words of
Psalm 22:
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" A little while later he again
cried out in a loud voice.
Then he died. At that moment the holy curtain
in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and there was a violent
earthquake. The Roman soldiers were
terrified.
Their leader called out "Truly this was a son of God".
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for the
salvation of the world
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: One way we can express our thanks to Jesus for dying for us ... wear a cross
---------------
The past week has been a happy one for me: three people released
from prison on bail. Thank you Jesus!
--------------------
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 the people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 20th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sudan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Aug 19
Last night at a Jordan restaurant there was a farewell dinner for
MercyHK Chairman Eddie Chan, retiring yesterday ...on his 75th birthday..
Happy Birthday Eddie, and thank you for all your wonderful work for MercyHK! God
bless you always! ( Photos and report to come).
Yesterday morning a MercyHK volunteer went to Fanling Court and
paid the bail money for an overseas inmate in Tai Lam women's prison. The
volunteer collected the "Get-out-of-prison" letter from the court and
took it to the prison, then waited for the woman to be released ... then brought
the woman to Jordan where she will temporarily stay in one of our centres. THANK
YOU JESUS!
Full
text of Simple Bible: Gospel (Chinese - four Gospels in one
narrative), 2nd printing, received from printer last Saturday
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israel
closes Palestinian Christian village
81. A litmus test for social justice today is the treatment of migrants, refugees and those forced to move due to poverty, violence, climate change and environmental disasters. The way a society treats them reveals whether its sense of justice is driven by fear or by the spirit of fraternity. Pope Francis urged us to see migrants not simply as a problem to be managed, but as a living image of the People of God on the move. [109] They are people with dignity, resources and dreams, who have the right to be treated with respect and to ask to become active members of the societies that welcome them. Social justice in this area entails at least two complementary commitments. On the one hand, this means protecting the rightful hopes of those forced to leave by ensuring safe and legal routes, dignified conditions for receiving them, and genuine pathways to integration. On the other hand, it means promoting the right to remain in one’s homeland in peace and security by addressing the root causes that force people to migrate, including those linked to economic injustices and the climate crisis. When these rights are respected, migration can become an opportunity for encounter and mutual enrichment among peoples.
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Deuteronomy 5: Moses reminded the people of the Ten Commandments:
1:
I am the Lord your God. Do not worship anyone or anything else.
2: Use my name with respect. Do not insult my name.
3: Make the Sabbath a holy day each week.
4: Honor your father and your mother.
5: Do not kill.
6: Do not commit adultery.
7: Do not steal.
8: Do not tell lies about other people.
9: Do not desire someone else's wife.
10: Do not desire what belongs to someone else.
Dear God,
please help us to put these commandments into practice
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
128: O blessed are those who love the Lord and
walk in his ways. By the labor of your hands you shall eat.
You will be happy and prosper: your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of
your house;
your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed
the people who love and honor the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days
of your life.
May you see your children's children in a happy Jerusalem!
On Israel, peace!
Dear Lord, may all married
people live to see their children's children
Listen
Acts
23.12-22: The next day about 40 Jews held a meeting. They decided not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. They
asked the religious leaders to arrange another meeting so that they could
attack Paul. But the son of Paul's sister heard of the
plot. He got into the barracks and told Paul. Paul got the boy to tell the
captain. The captain immediately arranged for a large group of soldiers to
take Paul to Caesarea to be tried by Felix the governor. Felix said "I will wait till your
accusers come here too, then I will hear your case"
Jesus, please help people who are in danger of
being murdered
Listen
Luke
23.39-43: One of the criminals hanging on a cross mockingly
said to Jesus
"Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well". But the other criminal rebuked the first one
and said "We are paying the penalty for our crimes. But this man has
done nothing wrong". "Jesus", he
said, "remember me
when you come into your kingdom". Jesus replied "I promise you, this day
you will be with me in Paradise".
Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: 
One of the best songs ever composed, words
based on today's Gospel: Jesus,
Remember Me
---------------------------
Helping someone come out of prison on bail .... an
experience that makes most other human experiences pail into
insignificance by comparison (..and as an English teacher I just noticed
that "comparison" contains "prison"!)
-------------------------
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 the
people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 19th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shanxi
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Haiti
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Aug 18
I watched this excellent video during breakfast yesterday
morning: JOB
Full
text of Simple Bible: Gospel (English - four Gospels in one narrative), 2nd
printing, received from printer last Saturday *** Cover
80. In this day and age, social justice must also grapple with the environment shaped by digital technologies. The spread of global networks, platforms and artificial intelligence systems is changing the way we obtain information, communicate and access services. Justice demands that we prevent the emergence of new forms of exclusion and deprivation of freedoms: individuals and peoples hindered or denied access to basic technologies, communities exposed to invasive surveillance and social groups penalized by opaque algorithms that perpetuate prejudice and discrimination. In the digital age, a just social order guarantees everyone equal access to opportunities, protects the youngest and weakest members of society, combats hate and misinformation and subjects the use of data and technology to public oversight, so that the guiding principle is not solely profit but the dignity of every person and the common good of all people.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Israel's
religious right is changing Israel from within
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Deuteronomy
2-4: Moses continued his
talk to the Israelites:
"God has been with us these 40 years,
watching over us and providing for us.
God gave us many victories
and continually told us not to be afraid of any enemies.
So now, Israel, do not forget God's goodness and help and laws.
Do not forget the things your eyes have seen.
Make sure to tell these things to your children's children.
God has brought you out of Egypt to be his special people.
If you seek God with all your heart and soul
you will find him.
Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: The Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth below,
he and no other.
Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today,
so that you and your children may prosper and live long
in the land that the Lord your God gives you forever."
Lord,
please help me to seek you with all my heart
01
02
Psalm 127: If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders
labor. If the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain does the watchman keep vigil. Success comes not from earlier rising or from
going later to rest,
but from the Lord's blessing. Success is from the Lord
who blesses the womb of his beloved while she sleeps. Truly, children are a gift from the Lord,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Lord, many people these days
don't want children. Please help such people understand that children are
a blessing
Listen
Acts
22.30 - 33.11: To find out why the Jews were attacking Paul,
the captain arranged a meeting of the religious leaders, and allowed Paul
to speak to them. Paul realized that the leaders had two groups:
Sadducees (who didn't believe in angels or an after-life) and Pharisees
(who did believe in angels and an after-life). So Paul called out "I am a Pharisee. It
is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial".
This caused the Pharisees and Sadducees to begin a violent argument that
put Paul's life in danger. The captain ordered Paul to be taken back into
the barracks. The next night, the Lord appeared to him and said
"Courage! You have born witness for me in Jerusalem. Now you must do
the same in Rome"
Jesus, please give courage to Christians who live in
dangerous places
Listen
Luke
23.33-38:
When they reached the place called The Skull,
they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals also, one on his right,
the other on his left. Above his head was placed a sign
"This is the King of the Jews". Jesus prayed "Father, forgive them. They
do not know what they are doing". The leaders made fun of him "He saved
others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God". The soldiers mocked him too "If you are
the king of the Jews, save yourself"
Jesus, you forgave those who mocked you and
crucified you. I forgive anyone who has been unkind to me
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Jesus' forgiveness of
those killing him enables everyone to forgive anyone who has ever hurt them
------------------------------
Tonight a retirement dinner for MercyHK Chairman Eddie
Chan .... more about this tomorrow and Wednesday
-------------------------------
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 the
people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 18th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shandong
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 Gambia
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Aug 17
Full text of my recently published Simple
Bible: Genesis - Job (English, illustrated) HERE!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Doctor
amputated Gaza girl's leg without anaesthesia
79. The idea of “social justice” helps us recognize that injustices do not arise solely from the wrong choices of individuals, but also from structures, mechanisms and economic and cultural systems that produce inequality almost automatically. Saint John Paul II spoke in this vein of structures of sin [108] that oppose God’s will and require a commitment to personal and social conversion. In this perspective, justice is not merely about the fairer distribution of resources or the correction of current injustices, but also assumes a restorative dimension. It aims to mend broken bonds and reintegrate those who have been excluded, taking into account the wounds caused by injustices, such as wars, colonialism, racial or gender discrimination, violence against entire peoples and exploitation. This may include restoring dignity and a voice to those who have been ignored, fostering processes of healing for collective memory, opposing discriminatory laws and practices, and providing concrete support to those who still bear the consequences of wrongs suffered in the past.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Deuteronomy
1:
After wandering in the desert for 40 years,
the Israelites reached the land of Canaan.
Moses then assembled the people
and recalled all that had happened over the past 40 years:
"When God first told us to take this land,
I said to you: Do not be afraid. God goes ahead of you
and will be fighting on your side, as he did in Egypt.
I also said how God carried you, as a man carries his child,
all along the road you travelled to this place.
But you did not trust God
and God closed the door to Canaan for 40 years,
causing us to wander in the desert until now."
Dear God, please help me to
trust you a bit more
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
126: When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs. What marvels the Lord worked for us.
Indeed we were glad. Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap. They go out, full of tears, carrying seed for
the sowing.
They come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.
Dear God, please bless all
people who are sorrowful as they work
Listen
Acts
22.24-29: Paul was taken into the soldiers' barracks.
The captain ordered Paul to be tortured to find out the truth about his
situation. But when they tied him down, Paul said
"Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen?
The captain said "It cost me a lot of
money to acquire Roman citizenship". Paul replied "I was
born a Roman citizen". Paul was untied without being flogged
Jesus, help people who are being
tortured today
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: Women mourning for Jesus ... only in Luke, who stresses the role of women in the Gospel
-------------------------
MercyHK canteen now has ice cream ... as part of a Banana Split!
--------------------
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 the people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On
this 17th of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shaanxi
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ethiopia
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Aug 16
A beautiful explanation of a beautiful story: RUTH
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israeli
strikes kill 9 in Lebanon
78.
The recent Magisterium has insisted that social
justice begins with the least among us. Saint John Paul II spoke
of a preferential option for the poor [106] that must guide both
personal and societal choices, while Pope Francis denounced a
“‘throw away’ culture” [107] that generates ever new forms of
exclusion. From this perspective, social justice requires us to look at
individuals and communities, starting with the most vulnerable: the
poor, migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of violence and
people living in urban or existential peripheries. (see 
below)
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 20
Isaiah
56: Foreigners who love and
serve the Lord - these I will bring to my holy mountain, says the Lord. I will
make them joyful in my house of prayer, for my
house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.
Lord, please help all peoples of the world know that you are their loving
Creator
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
66-68: O God, be gracious and bless
us and let your face shine its light upon us. Let
all the peoples praise you, O God. Let all the peoples praise you. O sing
to the Lord, make music to his name. Rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.
Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, God provides a shelter for the
homeless. God gives his people strength.
May all the peoples of the earth know you and praise you, O God
Recording
Romans
10.1-4: I
have a really great love for the Jews. I pray to God for them to be
saved. They have a strong belief in God, but their zeal is misguided. They can't
see that friendship with God is a gift from God, not just a matter of external
practices.
Jesus, some people have mixed up ideas about religion (.. Mormons, Jehovah
Witnesses). Help them know the truth as you revealed it
Recording
Matthew
15.21-28: Jesus went to the coastal
district near Tyre and Sidon. A
foreign woman followed him and shouted "Sir, Son
of David, have pity on me. My daughter is tormented by an evil spirit." At
first Jesus did not answer her, so his disciples said to him. "Help her,
because she keeps shouting after us." Jesus replied "I was sent only
to the people of Israel". The foreign woman by now was kneeling at Jesus'
feet. "Lord, help me" she pleaded. Jesus said to her "Woman,
you have great faith. Your wish is granted". At that very
moment, her daughter was healed.
Jesus, please give sick people great faith in
you
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
The Catholic Church is so called because the word "catholic" means "all-embracing"/"including everyone"/"for everyone"/"international"....which is what today's first reading is about: any genuine church/house of God should be open to and include people of all nations. c.f. website of Union Church in Jordan Road, not far from my home, and St Andrew's Anglican Church in nearby Nathan Road.
-------------------------------
In
Pope's AI letter, above, I found myself asking what is "an existential
periphery"? So I got this answer from Google:
"An existential periphery
is
a state of deep personal isolation, spiritual emptiness, or emotional pain where
individuals feel far from God, meaning, or societal care
." The term was first used by Pope Francis, when he was a cardinal. Maybe a
simpler word: "Desolation"
------------------------------
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 the
people in one part
of China each day of the month:
On this 16th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Qinghai
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 16th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Malawi
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Aug
15
The
Assumption of Mary to Heaven
My August 15 Reflection: In our spiritual DNA, there's something about Mary that moves our hearts on August 15. May this reflection be an encouragement to people who might be influenced to doubt the beautiful importance of Mary in God's plan and in our lives
-------------
Many thanks to team of MercyHK volunteers who yesterday afternoon
shifted 3,000 books (in about 30 very heavy cartons) from the footpath of Temple
Street up the stairs to the Dr Jesus Centre: Chinese Gospel, English Old
Testament, and English Gospel ... 1,000 copies of each ...all with illustrations
on almost every page.... at a cost price of only HK$9.50 per book ...that's
cheaper than a McDonald's ice cream cone! ....printed in China. God bless all
involved in this project which please God will make it easier for prisoners and
other special groups to understand and love the Scriptures. Photo here
(Aug 14)
---------------------
Visit to Temple Street
by TVB's Priscilla Wong
This is excellent: Calvary
was not a hill (and see my comment)
My 3 minute
request for 3 special sponsors for 3 of our centres!
Climate
change: Europe's high temperatures
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Former
Israeli PM ashamed of West Bank ethnic cleansing
77. For the Christian community, social justice is a concrete way of following Jesus and remaining faithful to the Gospel. In the New Testament, Jesus proclaims the “good news to the poor” ( Lk 4:18) and identifies himself with the lowly, the sick, the imprisoned and strangers (cf. Mt 25:31-46). He thus teaches us that justice is born from, and fulfilled in, fraternity, because the way we approach and relate to the least among us becomes, in concrete terms, the measure of our relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. Justice, however, concerns not only the behavior of individuals, but also the way in which the structures of society are conceived and organized. In this regard, the Second Vatican Council reminds us that every institution is called to serve the human person and his or her dignity. [105] Social justice is, therefore, characterized by the capacity of a social, economic and political order to allow everyone — particularly the weakest — to live a truly dignified life, without leaving anyone behind.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Assumption
Revelation
12: The sanctuary of God in heaven opened and the
ark of the covenant could be seen inside it. Then came flashes of lightning,
peals of thunder and an earthquake, and violent hail. Now a great sign
appeared in heaven: a
woman adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with twelve stars on her
head for a crown
My
recording of this reading
Mary
of Guadalupe
Many people see in this picture the Woman of
today's first reading: dressed in the sun, standing on the moon, crowned with
stars
Psalm
44: The daughters of kings are among your loved
ones. On
your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir. Listen, O
daughter, give ear to my words: forget your own people and your father's
house. So will the king desire your beauty: He is your lord, pay homage
to him. They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace
of the king
Recording
1
Corinthians 15: Christ
has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.
Death came through one man and in the same way the resurrection of the dead has
come through one man. Just
as all people die in Adam, so all people will be brought to life in Christ; but
all of them in their proper order: Christ as the first-fruits and then, after
the coming of Christ, those who belong to him. After that will come the end,
when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, having done away with every
sovereignty, authority and power. For he must be king until he has put all his
enemies under his feet and the last of the enemies to be destroyed is death, for
everything is to be put under his feet.
Recording
Luke
1: Mary set out and went as quickly as she could
to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah's house and
greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child
leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a
loud cry and said, "Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is
the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother
of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb
leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by
the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord, and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has
looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes,
from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty
has done great things for me"
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
The spirituality of Mary invites us to the values of Catholic Social Teaching: concern for the poor, solidarity with all people, a preference for the ways of nonviolence rather than military might, forgiveness and reconciliation rather than domination and manipulation.
And
see this
excellent Assumption reflection by Scott
Hahn (9 mins)
---------------------------
Shifting a lot of Bibles yesterday made me reflect that
there's something special about physically holding a Bible in your hand .... as
distinct from reading Bible online or from mobile ...something like holding a
real baby as distinct from holding picture of baby?!
------------------------------
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 the people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 15th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liaoning
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 Liberia
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
----------------------------
Anti-drug
campaign trips: 2020:
My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es
Salaam, Johannesburg Jan
1, 2020: How cocaine trafficking is impacting West Africa 2017:
My trip to Southern Africa, Dubai ( 2016:
My trip to Kenya, Uganda
---------------- 2019-05-10:
No More Mules
Peru FB boost 199,000 views! 2019-01-20: Article
in El Pais, Uruguay
- 01 02 2018-09-18:
No
More Mules Facebook campaign
- more than 300,000 people reached in Venezuela
2018:
My trip to Latin America ---------------- South East Asia: Aug 16, 2020: CNN
- Indonesian women recruited to take drugs to Hong Kong Oct
23, 2019: FM988
Breakfast program in Kuala Lumpur at which I was a guest June
2019: My
campaign featured in The
Malaysia Drug Trade (6 written reports & documentary
video) 2019-03-25: Eleven
HK01 video and photo reports about Malaysian drug mules arrested in HK- here (one
of the reports is about my anti-drug campaign). Dec
2018 - My Jan 2019 trip to Malaysia 2018:
My trip to Thailand and Cambodia -------------------- Hong
Kong: July
2019: My warning to HK domestic helpers - published
here in HK Filipino media 2018-07-29:
SCMP- Beware
drug lords luring domestic helpers, refugees into narcotics trade 2018-04-08:
The
Pearl
Report on
TVB
- concerning HK's Long Term Sentencing Review Board and my anti-drug campaign March
18, 2018: South China Morning Post report on my work 2017-09-27: SCMP
Spirit of HK Awards (video starts
after 20 secs) 2017-08-24:
Cable
TV video report on my anti-drug campaign and a
Facebook report on the video report (click
"translation" for English) 2017-05-17:
SCMP - The prison chaplain who has stopped 150 drug mules reaching HK 2017-03-25: Oriental
Daily
report of case of South African woman given discount for help to my campaign
*** May
14 updates: Oriental
Daily, Sing
Tao Dec
1, 2016 - HK News: More women being recruited as drug mules 2016-10-13: HK01
report about campaign and about work for the poor 2016-09-11: Oriental
Daily
report about my campaign - and same day
Editorial 2016-08-27: Oriental
Daily
article about court case and campaign My
anti-drug campaign sites Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasmulas/ Facebook: Chinese
no more mules page http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm ---------------------- --------------------- --------------------- 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! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .
Europe:
Many reports of 2026 trip here
(Jan 6 - Feb 7)
Africa: 
The
Last Run)
2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi
Latin America:
2018-09-22:
My
60 min video interview with Radio99,
in Cantonese, is here: 01 02
to help stop people going to prison
(skillfully
managed by kind HK friends):
Photos
from my time in China 2001-20008
Table shows location of readers:
HK 33%; Australia 19%; UK 11%; US
12%; Canada 4% ; Tanzania 4%
Fr
John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com HK
mobile +852- 67095674
