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
Wed Oct 21
Yesterday morning I attended a Voice for Prisoners meeting in Admiralty, then was at birthday lunch for MercyHK's Shirley Lee (photo), followed by meeting with accountant of Aitece. God bless all three NGOs! In the evening I joined the usual weekly gathering for Nepal drug addicts at the Dr Jesus Centre in Jordan
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
UN
food aid cut for 500,000 Gazans
140. Education, by contrast, is a long journey requiring patience, and therefore needs time for development and for engagement with reality beyond appearances. This is a fundamental issue because every technology shapes those who use it. Educating people about the use of AI, then, involves teaching them to decide when and for what purpose it ought not to be used. The speed and ease with which answers or summaries can be obtained risk extinguishing the desire to ask questions, which is a process that bears fruit only over time. As Plato wrote, the deepest and most important things are learned only after much time and effort, by engaging in discussion with others, “striking upon” ideas and experiences together like flint until the spark of understanding is kindled within us. [147] We must learn, then, how to exercise restraint in the use of AI and to protect our young people from the promise of the perfect machine, from that subtle temptation which renders human thought seemingly superfluous precisely when it is most needed.
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1 Samuel 3: One day when the boy Samuel was serving in the
temple,
the Lord called to him "Samuel, Samuel."
The boy thought it was the old priest Eli calling to him
so he ran to Eli and said "Here I am." Eli replied "I did not call you."
Two more times the Lord called.
Both times the boy went to Eli. Eli now realized it was the Lord calling
Samuel.
Eli told Samuel to say "Speak Lord, your servant is listening"
the next time he heard the voice. The Lord told Samuel that Eli's family would
be punished
for the bad things they had done. The people quickly found out that the Lord was
with Samuel
and that Samuel was the Lord's prophet.
Dear Lord, please
help me to listen to your voice,
your voice in the Bible, in my conscience and in other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
40: I waited, I waited for the Lord and he
stooped down to me.
He heard my cry. He saved me from distress.
He put fresh hope into my heart. How many, O Lord my God, are the times you
have helped me.
They are too many for me to describe. My God, in the depth of my heart I delight in
your law.
You do not want external offerings.
You want my heart.
Lord, I offer you my heart, my
love. You deserve all my love
Listen
1
Corinthians 6.18-20: We should respect our bodies as a gift from
the Lord.
Our bodies are not meant for fornication. Avoid sexual activity that avoids commitment.
Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who
lives in you.
Let people know that your body is not something to be profaned
Jesus, please help people avoid sex outside
marriage
Listen
Luke
5.27-32: As Jesus walked along, he noticed a tax
collector sitting by the customs house. The collector's name was Levi
(Matthew). Jesus said to him "Follow me".
Leaving everything, he got up and went with Jesus. In Jesus' honor Levi
held a banquet in his house. Many tax collectors and social outcasts
were present. The religious leaders complained "Why do
you eat and drink with tax collectors and outcasts?" Jesus replied "It is not those who are
well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have come to call sinners, not
the virtuous, to repentance"
Jesus, thank you for befriending people who
were looked down on.
Please help me do likewise
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Levi (Matthew) was regarded as a traitor for working for the occupying Romans, yet Jesus chose him. Jesus saw good in him.
---------------------------
On the extreme left - Matthew, a traitor. On the extreme
right - James and John, zealots who wanted to take up arms against the Romans.
Matthew probably didn't feel all that welcome in Team Jesus in the beginning?!
-------------------------
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 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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Oct 20
Yesterday there were 37 (!) of us on a most enjoyable hike to Big
Wave Bay near Sai Kung. Photos to come
139. In an era when truth is often distorted in order to serve particular interests and communication strategies, the field of education assumes decisive importance. Yet rapid technological transformations reveal just how unprepared we are on the educational level. The pervasiveness of digital media fosters a culture of immediacy and hyper-stimulation, which gives rise to fatigue, boredom and apathy concerning the effort required for seeking the truth.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
After Christmas I am due to go to Lebanon ..... to see if I can do a little bit
of good to help people recover from the US-sponsored Israeli destruction
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Samuel 2: Hannah praised God for
giving her a child: "My heart rejoices in the Lord. The Lord, our fortress,
is holy. Don't speak proudly, for the Lord knows what's in our hearts. The Lord
breaks the power of the strong. He gives strength and victory to the weak. He
blesses the barren woman. The Lord
raises the poor from the dust, and gives them a seat of honor with princes.
The Lord guards the steps of good people, but
scatters bad people in their pride." The Lord blessed Hannah and she gave
birth to three more sons and two daughters. Her son Samuel grew up in the
temple. The temple priest at that time was Eli. But Eli's sons were bad men.
They stole the people's offerings to the Lord.
Dear God, please bless good people like Hannah, and please help bad people
like Eli's sons to stop being bad
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
38-39: O Lord, please
forgive my sins and heal me. Heal my
body which is sick because of my sins. Protect me, Lord, from those who
gloat over me now that I am brought low and unable to help myself. Lord, you
have shown me how short a time I have on earth. Lord, give me wisdom of heart to
live my life better.
Lord, help us understand the meaning of life
Listen
1
Corinthians 5.8-11: Get rid of
all evil and wickedness from your life. Replace
them with sincerity and truth. People who do wrong will not inherit the
kingdom of God: people of immoral lives, idolaters, adulterers, catamites,
sodomites, thieves, usurers, drunkards, slanderers and swindlers. Some of you
were like that once, but now you have been washed clean and sanctified by Jesus
Christ and his Spirit
Jesus, help me avoid doing bad things. Help me do more good things
Listen
Luke
5.17-26:
God's power was on display when Jesus healed
people. People came from far and near to hear him teach, and to ask for healing.
One day some people carried a paralyzed man through a crowd to Jesus. The
man was on a stretcher. Jesus knew that these people believed he could help
them, so he said to the paralyzed man "My friend, your sins are
forgiven". Some religious leaders in the crowd were thinking to themselves
that Jesus was wrong to say he could forgive sins. So Jesus said to the leaders
"Which is easier: to say 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say 'Get up and
walk'?" Then to prove that he had authority to forgive sins, he said to the
paralyzed man "Get up, pick up your
bed and go home". The man got up, picked up his stretcher and went
home. The crowd praised God for what they had seen
Jesus, please give me more faith in your power to forgive, your power to heal
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Notice the
same idea in Gospel and Psalms
------------------------------
The surf yesterday at Big Wave Bay was really beautiful
...except that the waves were "dumpers" and could not be ridden. But
still so refreshing!
-------------------------------
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 20th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Hubei
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 Guinea
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Oct 19
After my 7.30am Cantonese Mass at St Paul's Parish, Yau Ma Teii
yesterday morning, I was joined at nearby McDonald's by a dozen special people,
half of them drug addicts who sleep on the street. A moving
experience.
A special visitor to the MercyHK canteen in Temple Street early
last night was Bruce Aitken, "Brother Bruce" whose Sunday night
program The
Hour of Love is listened to by many people in prison in HK as well as by
their families in many countries
Moving video tribute to the late Dr Clara Wong ...who near the end of her life twice came to the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street with encouraging messages for our Saturday afternoon Mass cancer patients
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Settlers
attack European diplomats
138. Christian communities, too, are called to commit themselves to transparency in communication and to the honest pursuit of facts. Sadly, this has not always been the case. We have witnessed with shame the emergence of painful truths concerning even members of the Church and ecclesial realities. In particular, some journalists, driven by a passion for truth, have played a crucial role in bringing injustices and abuses to light. To them, I wish to repeat the words that Pope Francis used in speaking to journalists: “I also thank you for what you tell us about what goes wrong in the Church, for helping us not to sweep it under the carpet, and for the voice you have given to the victims of abuse.” [146] Yet vigilance and transparency remain first and foremost a grave responsibility for the Church herself, and we must not wait for others to compel us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Samuel 1: Each
year, Elkanah and his two wives Hannah and Peninnah, went to Shiloh
to worship the Lord.
Peninnah
had children, but Hannah was barren.
Each year at the temple,
Peninnah would taunt Hannah because she was barren. One
year at the temple, Hannah prayed in great distress:
"God, if you give me a child, I will dedicate him to you".
Not
long after, Hannah conceived a son whom she called "Samuel".
When Samuel was weaned, she took him to the temple
and gave him to the priest there to serve the Lord
for the rest of his life.
Dear God, please bless all
women who are unable to have a baby
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
35-37: O Lord, please save me from people who slander
me,
you who rescue the weak from the strong, you whose love is so precious,
you in whose light we see light. We believe that if we find our
delight in you,
you will grant our heart's desire. And so we commit our lives to you,
confident you will help us in time of trouble.
Lord, please deepen our trust
in you,
especially in time of trouble
Listen
1
Corinthians 4.15-19: You now have many people teaching you about
Christ, but remember that it was I who introduced you to Jesus and his
Good News. Imitate my example, the way I live the
Christian life
Jesus, help me be a good example to
other people
Listen
Luke
5. 12-16: In one town that Jesus went to, a leper fell
on his face and pleaded "Sir, if you want to, you can heal me". Jesus stretched out his hand, touched
him, and said "Of course I want to!
Be healed!" And the leprosy left him at once. Jesus' reputation continued to grow.
Large crowds gathered to hear him speak and to have their sicknesses cured.
But afterwards Jesus would always go to a quiet place where he could
be alone and pray.
Jesus, please help me understand
that you want sick people to be healed
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Never once did Jesus decline a request for healing
-------------------------
I
am one of 330 million people who use Doubao
..... to process letters from prisoners .... I just scan a handwritten letter
done in any language... then say "Pls translate to English" and within
30 seconds I have 95% accurate translation in English script
--------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Oct 18
I totally agree with this article: Teach
speaking rather than maths ((This concerns everyone ... we are talking less
than we should!))
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Settlers
attack farmers and journalist *** Critics
praise NAZA
137. Our first task is neither to demonize nor idolize technological tools, but to utilize them on the basis of a fundamental principle, namely that truth is a common good and not the property of those with power or influence. We must therefore promote an ecology of communication. On the level of public policy, this entails establishing norms so that the decision-making behind content selection and its development becomes more transparent and protects personal data. Regarding social and cultural aspects, this requires a strengthening of intermediary organizations, serious journalism and forums for debate, where reasoned argumentation and verification carry greater weight than immediate reaction. For families and schools, there is a growing need for new educational awareness and for formation concerning the proper and critical use of digital tools, AI and online commercial and financial platforms. In universities, the principal challenge lies in the integration of knowledge, cultivating both the capacity to connect and synthesize knowledge in order to grasp complexity, and the skills necessary to verify facts.
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Mission Sunday
Isaiah
2: In the days
to come, the mountain of the Lord's Temple will be specially blessed. All
the nations will come to it and say: "Come, let us
go up to the mountain of the Lord, that he may teach us his ways so that we may
walk in his paths". When they learn the ways of the Lord, then the nations
will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation
will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war. O
House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Lord, please help world leaders do more for peace in our world
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
98: Sing a new song to the
Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand has brought salvation. The Lord
has made known his salvation. He has shown his justice to the nations. He has
remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. All the ends of the
earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring
out your joy. Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music.
Let the sea, the world and
all peoples acclaim the King, the Lord. Let the rivers
clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the Lord, for
he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples
with fairness.
Lord, may all peoples in all countries know your love and goodness
Listen
Romans
10.9 & 11.33-36: If
your lips confess that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, then you will be saved How wonderful is God! How
great his wisdom and knowledge. What finite creature could ever understand the
mind of our infinite Creator? All
that exists comes from him. To him be glory for ever!
Jesus, Father, Spirit -
three persons, one God - to you be glory for ever!
Listen
Matthew
28.16-20: The 11 apostles went to Galilee,
to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they
fell down before him in worship. Jesus said to them "All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make
disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to understand and live according
to my words. And know that I am with you always, yes, to the end of time".
Jesus,
"God-with-us", please help us live our lives according to your
teaching ....and thank you, Matthew, for this beautiful Gospel Report
Listen
Reflection on the above readings:
Pope's Message for Mission Sunday 2026
-------------------------------
Renovation
is going well at 147 Temple Street, Jordan, for the Aitece English Corner. Pls
God it will be open by the end of November
------------------------------
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 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 18th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Gambia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Oct 17
Jesus said
to invite needy people when you have a party ... which is what I did yesterday
for my birthday: people on bail for morning tea and 24 homeless or recently
homeless people for lunch at the Dr Jesus Centre ... then a gathering for
another homeless group at MercyHK's Nathan Road Centre in the afternoon ... plus
an evening gathering for a special group of women who work on Temple Street. And
see 
below!
Saudi
Arabia to execute man for attending protests and funerals when he was 15
((barbaric))
136. For this reason, those who control digital platforms and means of communication have a considerable ability to affect the collective imagination and to present a particular vision of reality as desirable. Such power should be constantly guided by the pursuit of truth and respect for human dignity, so that the culture fostered on the internet does not become an instrument of excessive distraction, homogenization or dominance, but rather a setting in which inner freedom and critical thought can mature.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Ruth
3 & 4:
Naomi told Ruth to go to the threshing
shed of Boaz
and to sleep there at the feet of Boaz,
this action symbolizing her wish to marry Boaz. When Boaz discovered Ruth there during
the night,
he praised Ruth for wanting to continue Elimelech's family. The next day, Boaz went to the gate of
Bethlehem
and met the only man who preceded him
in the legal right to marry Ruth. The man agreed to let Boaz marry Ruth
and so Boaz took Ruth as his wife. Boaz and Ruth had a son, Obed.
Obed was the father of Jesse whose son was King David.
Dear
God, please bless
all grandparents,
as you blessed David's great grandparents Ruth and Boaz
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
34:
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips.
In the Lord my soul shall make its boast,
the humble shall hear and be glad. Glorify the Lord with me, together let us
praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me.
From all my terrors he set me free. The angel of the Lord is encamped around those
who revere the Lord, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
They are happy who seek refuge in him. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.
Those whose spirits are crushed he will save.
Lord, by our Bible reading and
prayer,
may we taste and see your goodness each day
Listen
1 Corinthians
3.5-15: Apollos and I are servants who brought the
faith to you. I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but God made
things grow. You are God's building. By God's grace,
I laid the foundation, the only foundation there can be: Jesus
Christ. On that foundation you can build a house with
good or poor materials.
At the end of your life, your building will be judged by God
Jesus, you are the foundation of my life. Help
me build a house with good material (= good deeds)
Listen
John
2.1-11: Jesus, his mother and his disciples were
guests at a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The wine ran out, so Jesus' mother said to him
"They have no wine".
Jesus replied "Woman, my time for doing special things has not yet
come". His mother said to the servants
"Do whatever he tells you". There were 6 big containers there, used for
holding water. Each could hold about 35 liters. Jesus said to the servants
"Fill the containers with water" and they filled them up.
Jesus then said "take some out and give
it to the man in charge of the banquet". When the man tasted
the water, it had turned to wine. The man called the bridegroom and said
"You have kept the best wine until now". This was the first public miracle done by
Jesus
Jesus,
help me to do whatever you tell
me to do
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Water to wine, multiplication of loaves and fish ... Jesus the opposite of miserly!
---------------------------
Four lots of birthday cake yesterday ....
------------------------------
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 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, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Oct 16
HK
had 40 million visitors in first 9 months of this year!
135. In view of this, it is important to recall that communication “is not only the transmission of information, but it is also the creation of a culture.” [144] The content that circulates within digital environments shapes how people perceive the world and introduces into the collective consciousness images and narratives that direct our desires and influence our daily choices. This is “not a parallel or purely virtual world,” [145] since what originates online now becomes a part of people’s lives, especially of the youngest.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Ruth 2: Naomi and Ruth arrived
in Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest. Ruth went to the fields
to look for left-over ears of corn.
She came to the attention of Boaz, Elimelech's clansman. Boaz was a kind man and
he told the men harvesting his crop
to let Ruth take some sheaves of corn, not just left-overs.
As one of Naomi's closest relatives,
Boaz was in a group of several men from which one man was
required by law to marry Ruth and produce children for Elimelech
Lord,
please bless all young widows
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
33: Ring out your joy to the Lord, all good
people,
for praise is fitting for loyal hearts. For the Lord loves justice and right;
he fills the earth with his love. By his word the heavens were made,
he spoke and the universe came into being. They are happy, whose God is the Lord,
he is the source of all true joy. May your love be upon us, O Lord,
since we place all our trust in you. Lord, we trust in your precious
love
Listen
1
Corinthians 1.18 - 2.9: The language of the Cross doesn't make sense
for some people. But for us it is God's power to save. While the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks
require philosophy, here we are preaching a crucified Christ: to the Jews
an obstacle they cannot get over, to the pagans madness. During my stay with you, I relied not on
philosophy or my own efforts, but only on the power of the Spirit. The wisdom we teach is about things no eye has
seen, and no ear has heard, things beyond human understanding - all that
God has prepared for those who love him
Jesus, crucified Lord, please increase my
faith in you
Listen
Luke
5.1-11: One day when Jesus was standing near the Lake
of Gennesaret, with people pressing round him listening to the word of
God, he saw two fishing boats near the bank. He got into one boat, it belonged to Simon
Peter, and taught people from the boat, away from the shore a little
distance. When he'd finished speaking he said to Simon
"Go out further to deep water and use your nets for a catch of
fish". Simon replied "Master, we worked hard all
night and caught nothing, but if you say so I'll lower the nets". They soon caught so many fish that the nets
began to tear. They called to their friends in the second boat to come and
help. Both boats were soon filled with fish. Peter fell at Jesus' knees and said
"Leave me, Lord, I am a sinful man", for he was overcome by the
catch they had made, as were James and John who were his partners. But Jesus said to Simon "Don't be afraid.
From now on, you will be fishers of men". Simon and his friends
then left everything to follow Jesus
Jesus, bless and protect all
"fishers of men"
Listen
Reflection
on the above Bible readings: This
is really good -
The
Empty Net
-------------------------
Gospel, above ... a carpenter ...giving advice to
professional fishermen
-------------------------
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 16th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Hainan
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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Oct 15
Yesterday
morning at the Dr Jesus Centre in Jordan, MercyHK was one of 8 NGO's taking part
in the bi-annual meeting of the group .... sharing about caring for asylum
seekers in HK. A most worthwhile and encouraging meeting.
My
video about drugs coming to HK from Amsterdam Airport
Please
God, hike to Sai Kung Big Wave Bay on public holiday Monday October 19.
Photos of same
hike last year. Take 8.30am ferry from Ma
Liu Shui pier near University MTR station ... to Chek
Keng Pier (a trip of about 2 hours) ... then walk for
about 90 mins
to Big Wave Bay .....for swim ... and lunch at beach canteen ...then walk about 90 mins
back to Chek Keng for ferry to Wong
Shek Pier and bus to Kowloon ...or, if available, boat from beach to Sai
Kung. HK readers who can walk for 4 hours!
most welcome to join me for my favourite hike!
Meet at University MTR
Exit B at 7.45am
to walk to Ma Liu Shui pier.
Basics: umbrella, hat, water and a little bit of food. Lunch will be
provided at Big Wave Bay.
Ferry
route map
***
Photos
of 2023 hike
Iranian
woman sentenced to death
Sierra
Leone the world's first narco state
Pope's
AI letter ***
Jesus, please heal Pope Leo!
134. The search for truth is an essential element of democracy, which is itself a means of contributing to the common good. When questions about what is true lose their appeal, and a pragmatism takes hold that is content with what appears useful or effective, then democratic life is weakened. After all, democracy does not consist of rules and procedures alone, but above all of a solid concordance with the facts and a genuine commitment to the good of individuals and society as a whole. Indifference to the truth leads, slowly but surely, to a descent into totalitarianism. As the philosopher Hannah Arendt wrote, the ideal subjects of such regimes are not so much those who are ideologically convinced, but rather “people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction (i.e., the reality of experience) and the distinction between true and false (i.e., the standards of thought) no longer exist.” [143]
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Ruth 1: In the days of the
judges, there was famine in the land.
Because of the famine, a man from Bethlehem named Elimelech moved to Moab.
Elimelech took with him
his wife Naomi and his two sons.
Elimelech died.
The two sons married Moabite women: Orpah and Ruth.
But then the two sons also died. Naomi was
heart-broken. She had lost her husband and two sons. She decided to return
to Bethlehem
and told her daughters-in-law to go back to their own homes. Orpah went back to her
people.
But Ruth with great loyalty and love chose to go with Naomi. Ruth said:
"Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live.
Your people shall be my people.
Your God shall be my God.
Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried."
Dear God, in time of trouble, please help people to be loyal and kind to each other
01
02
Psalm 32: Happy is the person whose sin is forgiven.
For a while I refused to ask for forgiveness,
and my body paid the penalty. But then I said "Lord, forgive me"
and my spirit and body revived.
Lord,
when I do wrong, please give me the grace to say sorry and ask forgiveness
Recording
1 Corinthians 1.1-10: I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle,
send greetings to the church of God in Corinth. May God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I never stop thanking God for all the graces
you have received through Jesus Christ. The witness to Christ has been strong among
you. God shares with us the life of his Son, Jesus.
God helps us to be faithful as followers of Jesus. I appeal to you to be united in belief and
practice.
Put an end to the differences between you
Jesus, Son of God, thank you for all the
graces I have received
Listen
Luke 4.38-44: Jesus went to the home of Simon Peter.
Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. Jesus was asked to
help her. He bent over her, rebuked the fever and it left her. She
immediately got up and served her guests. After the Sabbath finished at sunset, everyone
who had sick friends brought them to Jesus. Laying his hands on each of
them, he healed them. The next morning Jesus got up early and went
to a lonely place to pray. People found him and asked him not to
leave the area. But he replied "I must proclaim the Good News of the
kingdom of God to other towns too, because that is what I was sent to
do"
Jesus, heal my friend ... (name)... who
is sick
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Jesus told his apostles to heal the sick ....and healing the sick should be an essential part of Christian ministry
---------------
3 year old Patricia, being cared for by MercyHK, had a new experience last night
...being wired up with a microphone for filming by a media team currently in HK
from Europe. But at the end of the filming there was a problem ... Patricia did
not want to take off the micophone!
--------------------
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 15th 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 15th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liberia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Oct 14
Yesterday I spent much time with a media team producing a documentary about drug mules. In the afternoon I also paid a brief visit to Lo Wu women's prison. And in the evening joined the usual Tuesday night gathering for Nepal drug addicts at the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Distressing
MSF report about Gaza
133. Those who command powerful technological and economic resources, along with substantial human capital for intervention, possess significant capabilities for influencing cultural change. Ultimately, they can influence a significant number of people concerning the truth about humanity, the world, the meaning of existence, the family and even God. This is pure power detached from truth, which subtly or overtly imposes what it wishes others to accept as true. At its root lies a deeper and often unrecognized “sickness”: the fact that “modern man is wrongly convinced that he is the sole author of himself, his life and society. This is a presumption that follows from being selfishly closed in upon himself.” [140] Consequently, people believe that they can construct reality, and that whatever best suits their claims corresponds to what is true. Saint John Paul II reflected on the consequences of this “crisis of truth,” going so far as to state that “once the idea of a universal truth about the good, knowable by human reason, is lost, inevitably the notion of conscience also changes.” [141] In such a context, universally valid truths, which precede us and which conscience must accept, are no longer recognized. This led Pope Francis to ask with realism: “What is law without the conviction, born of age-old reflection and great wisdom, that each human being is sacred and inviolable?” To which he concluded: “If society is to have a future, it must respect the truth of our human dignity and submit to that truth. Murder is not wrong simply because it is socially unacceptable and punished by law, but because of a deeper conviction. This is a non-negotiable truth attained by the use of reason and accepted in conscience. A society is noble and decent, not least for its support of the pursuit of truth and its adherence to the most basic of truths.” [142]
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Judges 17-21: After Samson's death, there was no leader
in Israel
and everyone did as they pleased
as lawlessness and anarchy became widespread.
Dear Lord,
please don't let lawlessness increase in our world.
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
31: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in
distress.
My eyes are full of tears, my heart full of sorrow. Everyone makes fun of me. My friends don't want to know me.
Save me, Lord, from this mess. I praise you Lord, for you protect those who trust you.
You keep them safe from slander and lies. Be strong, let your heart take courage,
all you who trust in the Lord
I trust in you, Lord. My life
is in your hands
Listen
Romans
16.1-25: Please welcome our friend
Phoebe, a deaconess
in the church at Cenchrea.
She has helped many people, including myself. Greetings to all my friends in Rome,
especially Prisca and Aquila,
my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked death to save my life. Be careful of people whose teaching is
suspect. Avoid them. Glory to him who is able to give you strength
to live according to the Good News
Jesus, help me live according to your Good
News.
Thank you for the beautiful letter to the Romans
Listen
Luke
4.31-37: Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee.
On the Sabbath day he taught in the local prayer hall. In the hall there was a man possessed by a
devil which shouted "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of
God". Jesus said sharply "Be quiet! Come out of
him".
And the devil left the man without hurting him. People in the hall said "He gives orders
to unclean spirits and they obey him". Jesus' reputation continued to
spread through the district
Jesus, please protect my family from evil
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Phoebe
---------------------------
These days I try to spend a few minutes checking the latest
news from Beirut, since I'm due to be there after Christmas ... grateful that I
will be able to use a special app on my mobile to help communicate with anyone
who does not speak English.
-------------------------
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 14th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Jilin
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 14th
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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
----------------------
----------------------------
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
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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
