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
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
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Aug 14
On
this day in 1941 a man died in place of another man at Auschwitz death camp - Maximilian
Kolbe ...and this article says he is the patron saint of
drug addicts! Dear
St. Maximilian, please help all the drug addicts in the Jordan/Yau Ma Tei area!
And ....today (!) MercyHK case worker Lucia Leung is in Poland and will attend a
special Mass for Kolbe's feastday! And ... one of the children being taken care
of by MercyHK was born on Aug 11 (2024) so we named him Kolbe! At
2 years old he's a good dancer!
Yesterday's bail application at the High Court was .... successful! THANK YOU
JESUS!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israeli
settlers siege of Palestinian homes
76. In a world marked by increasingly close connections between people, communities and nations, solidarity also takes on a global dimension. Benedict XVI strongly emphasized the link between development, justice and responsibility toward future generations, stating that authentic development requires solidarity and inter-generational justice, [104] as well as an awareness of the bonds that unite us to the natural environment. Today, this responsibility also extends to digital and information infrastructure. Like the natural environment, the “digital ecosystem” can be preserved or exploited, shared or monopolized. Solidarity demands that decisions regarding data, algorithms, platforms and artificial intelligence take into account not only the immediate benefit for a few, but also the impact on all peoples and on future generations.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Numbers 34 & 35: God gave the land of
Canaan to the Israelites
and Moses allocated a section of the land to the eleven tribes.
The tribe of Levi received some towns and pasture land from each of
the eleven tribes.
Cities of refuge were established, where people could find safety
if they had accidentally caused someone's death
and the dead person's relatives wanted to take revenge.
In cases of homicide, more than one witness was required to convict
someone of murder.
A final law: the inheritance of each tribe was not to be transferred to
another tribe
Dear God, please bless my
family with a sense of history and togetherness
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
125: Those who put their trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken.
Jerusalem, the mountains surround her,
so the Lord surrounds his people, now and forever.
Lord, please help us be
more aware of your protecting presence
Listen
Acts
22.1-23: Paul said to the crowd "I am a Jew, born
in Tarsus. I was brought up here in Jerusalem. I studied under Gamaliel. I
fully observed the Law of our ancestors. I even persecuted this Way to the
death, and sent many people to prison.
But once when I was on my way to Damascus to arrest followers of the Way,
Jesus appeared to me and said 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are
persecuting me'. Then a believer in Damascus told me I was to be Jesus'
witness in many places".
Up to now, the crowd had listened quietly to Paul, but when he said that
Jesus was sending him to non-Jews in far away places, the crowd shouted "Rid the earth of this man! He's not fit to live!"
Jesus, please help Jewish people accept you as
the Anointed One
Listen
John
19.4-16: Pilate now put Jesus on display and again
told the leaders
"I find no case against him". The leaders replied "According to our Law
he must die, since he claims to be the Son of God. If you free him, you
are no friend of the Roman Emperor". Eventually Pilate gave in to them and handed
Jesus over to be crucified
Jesus, please help all judges to stand up for
the truth and not make false judgments
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Jesus and Paul in danger situations ...
-------------------------
This afternoon many Simple Bible books due from the
printer. Three different publications, 1,000 copies of each. Will be a happy
occasion!
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Aug 13
Yesterday's
bail application at the High Court was not successful. This morning I am due to
try again with another application. Thank you for a prayer!
On
the way to Tai Lam women's prison .... to visit many women recently arrested
at HK airport with drugs from many parts of the world
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israel
starting wildfires in Lebanon
75. The Church’s social teaching emphasizes that solidarity is both a principle and a virtue. As a principle, it expresses the objective order of relationships among individuals, groups and peoples, pointing to an awareness of interdependence whereby the good of each person depends on the good of others. As a virtue, it requires a “firm and persevering determination” [102] to strive for the common good, with particular attention to those most in need. Pope Francis noted that solidarity is “a way of making history” [103] that creates communities and not just masses of individuals. For this reason, it requires a modest and shared way of life, the ability to forego immediate benefits in order to create opportunities for others in the future, and a willingness to challenge habits and privileges — including those related to digital consumption and the use of technology — when they prevent others from living with dignity.
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Numbers 30-33: The
Israelites waged war against the Midianites and claimed their land and the land of Canaan.
To the sons of Gad, Reuben and Manasseh
were given the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites
and the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan.
The land of Canaan was divided by lot among the Israelite clans
Dear God, please give
peace to the people of the Middle East
Recording
Psalm 124:
"If the Lord had not been on our
side",
this is Israel's song. If the Lord had not been on our side
when people rose against us, then would they have swallowed us alive
when they were angry with us. Blessed be the Lord who did not let us become
a prey for their teeth. Our life, like a bird, has escaped
from the snare of the hunter. Indeed the snare has been broken
and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
Thank you, Lord,
for all the times you have rescued me from trouble
Recording
Acts 21.15-40: In Jerusalem Paul gave a report to James and
other Christian leaders of all that God had done for non-Jews through his ministry.
But Paul was soon seen by Jews from where he
had traveled. He was dragged out of the Temple and beaten by a wild crowd.
The beating was stopped by a Roman captain who had Paul bound with chains. The crowd was calling out for Paul to be
killed. Paul asked for permission to speak to the
crowd and the captain agreed. Paul then spoke to the crowd in Hebrew
Jesus, please protect Christians who live in
dangerous places
Listen
Matthew 27.27-31: After the Roman soldiers scourged Jesus,
they
made fun of him: they put a red cloak on him. they made a crown out of
thorns, they put a reed in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him
saying "Hail, king of the Jews".
They spat on him.
They took the reed and hit him with it.
When they had finished making fun of him,
they dressed him in his own clothes and led him away to crucify him.
Jesus, please don't let me hurt other people by
making fun of them
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Thank you Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you
---------------
In this really hot weather, the cold watermelon and mango drinks
at MercyHK's canteen are so refreshing!
--------------------
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 13th 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 13th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Congo
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Aug 12
This morning I'm due to be at the High Court for a very special
bail case. Thank you for a prayer!
My chat with
dear friend Ulises (back in HK for a holiday ...he was a pilot on the first
A350 to land at LA airport!))
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
India
supplying weapons to Israel
74. In many areas, we are already experiencing a kind of “ de facto solidarity,” for our lives are intertwined; digital networks connect people and communities across the world in real time, and global economies and communications mean that events in one place have a far-reaching impact. This network of relationships, however, only constitutes solidarity in the fullest sense of the word when it becomes a conscious choice. Faith invites us to see this reality as a call: we are not merely neighbors to one another, but entrusted to each other, so that each of us may take responsibility, as best we can, for the lives and wounds of our brothers and sisters. Solidarity arises precisely when we decide not to remain indifferent to what happens to our neighbor but instead to transform unavoidable bonds — economic, cultural and technological — into paths of sharing, cooperation and mutual care, embracing the idea of “thinking and acting in terms of community.” [101]
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers 28-29:
Times for the Israelites
to offer sacrifices to God:
- daily
- the Sabbath
- the feast of the New Moon of each month
- the feast of Unleavened Bread (14th day of 1st month)
- the feast of Weeks
- the feast of Acclamations (1st day of 7th month)
- the day of Atonement (10th day of 7th month)
- the feast of Tabernacles (15th day of 7th month)
Dear God, thank you for
special days and seasons to honor you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
123: To you have I lifted up my eyes,
you who dwell in the heavens. My eyes, like the eyes of slaves
on the hand of their lords. Like the eyes of a servant on the hand of her
mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God till he show us mercy. Have mercy on us, Lord, have
mercy.
We are filled with contempt. Indeed all too full is our soul with the scorn
of the rich,
with the proud man's disdain.
Lord, please protect poor
people from being exploited by rich people
Listen
Acts
21.1-14: Our sea voyage took us to the city of
Caesarea. A prophet there took Paul's belt and used it to tie up his own
feet and hands,
as a sign of what would happen to Paul in Jerusalem. Everyone implored Paul not to go to
Jerusalem.
Paul replied "I am ready not only to be tied up,
but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus". And so we packed up and headed for Jerusalem
Jesus, please give me a bit of Paul's courage
Listen
John
19.1-3: Pilate then had Jesus taken away and
scourged. The soldiers used
thorns to make a crown and pushed this into Jesus' head.
They dressed him in a purple cloak and
mocked
him saying
"Hail, king of the Jews". They slapped him in the face
Jesus, scourged and made fun of, please help
me not to hurt anyone by my words or actions
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings:
The
scourging of Jesus (from Mel Gibson's "The Passion")
---------------------------
-------------------------
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 12th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Jiangsu
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 12th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Aug 11
Today is the 2nd birthday of Kolbe, named in honor of St
Maximilian Kolbe whose feastday is August 14. Kolbe
is good at dancing!
73. Having considered the common good and subsidiarity, I would like to reflect on the principle of solidarity. This emerges from a vision of the human person generated by faith, namely that every human being is created in the image of God and is part of a network of relationships that bind him or her to others, to specific populations and to creation. Saint Paul VI observed that the obligations of solidarity, justice and charity are rooted in the human and supernatural fraternal bonds that unite individuals and populations. [98] Fraternity is not merely an aspiration of believers, but is a social and political reality to be embodied in communal choices and endeavors. Solidarity, then, is the concrete recognition that the future of each individual is connected to the future of all; indeed, “no one is saved alone.” [99] The close link between subsidiarity and solidarity thereby becomes evident. When subsidiarity is not linked to solidarity, it ends up becoming merely the protection of particular interests; when solidarity is not supported by subsidiarity, it degenerates into a form of welfare that does not foster responsibility. [100] This interconnectedness also pertains to the responsibility of authentic participation. Solidarity is expressed when each person, both individually and collectively, takes part in the life of the community — by staying informed, engaging with others, making their voice heard and contributing to public decisions and choices — while also assuming real responsibility so that the common good is achieved through shared decision-making.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers
26 & 27: Moses made
a census of all the men in the community.
The total number was 624,730.
Moses also gave a ruling concerning inheritance:
"If a man dies without sons,
his inheritance is to pass to his daughters.
If he has no daughter, the inheritance is to go to his brothers.
If he has no brother, it is to go to his father's brothers.
If his father has no brothers,
it is to go to the member of his clan who is his closest relative".
As Moses neared the end of his life, he asked God for someone to succeed him as
leader.
God answered:
"Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom the spirit dwells.
Lay your hands on him, then bring him before Eleazar the priest
and the whole community so that everyone will obey him".
Dear God, please
bless all my relatives...and people in authority
01
02
Psalm
122: I rejoiced when I heard them say
"Let us go to God's house." And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray
"Peace be to your homes."
For love of the house of the Lord
I will ask for your good.
Lord, may your peace be in our
hearts and homes
Listen
Acts
20.28-38: Paul continued "You elders are the
leaders of the Church of God.
Be on your guard against bad leaders trying to mislead people. Remember my example. I never asked anyone for
money or clothes. You know how my work as a tentmaker earned enough to
support my companions and me. Remember Jesus' words There is more
happiness in giving than in receiving". When he finished speaking, he knelt down with
them and prayed. Then they took him to the ship
Jesus, please help Gospel workers imitate Paul
Listen
John
18.28-40:
The religious leaders took Jesus to the Roman
governor, Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus "Are you the King of the
Jews?" Jesus replied "My kingdom is not a
kingdom of this world. But I am a king. I came into this world to bear
witness to the truth". After further questioning, Pilate said to the
leaders "I find no case against him, so how about I release him
according to the custom of releasing one prisoner at Passover? At this the leaders shouted "Not this
man, but Barabbas".
Barabbas was a bandit
Jesus, help me be a better witness to
good values
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Today's
Gospel is the ultimate example of someone speaking truth to power
------------------------------
Pls make sure to watch the Kolbe video at top of this menu!
-------------------------------
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 11th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of
Hunan
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 11th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Yemen
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------
---------------------------
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
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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
