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
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
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Oct 13
Last Saturday afternoon at the park near Kowloon Central Post Office, MercyHK
joined several other NGOs in arranging an activity for the elderly. Report &
photos here
132. The use of digital platforms and AI systems is driving profound changes in public and political communication. Tools that could foster dialogue and participation are often used to construct distorted narratives and blur the boundaries between truth and falsehood, mixing facts with opinions. Disinformation did not begin with AI, yet today it finds a powerful amplifier in AI. The ability to manipulate content, images and videos exposes people to biased or misleading perspectives. This problem has both cultural and moral dimensions, since the quality of public communication depends directly on social trust and, in turn, shapes it. At the same time, truthful information does not arise from centralized or automated control. In public discourse, the truth of facts has a rational dimension, as it requires verification, cross-checking of sources and responsible argumentation. Moreover, it is deeply relational, built through bonds of trust and shared practices, as well as an honest exchange with others and with the world. Only the shared pursuit of the veracity of facts, perceived as a common good, can provide a solid foundation for just communication.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Judges
14: Samson
wanted to marry a Philistine woman,
even though custom required he marry an Israelite. On his way to
visit
the woman in Philistine territory,
Samson was confronted by a young lion. The spirit of the Lord
filled Samson
and he tore the lion to pieces with his bare hands. On his next visit to
the woman's home,
Samson saw that in the carcass of the dead lion there was a swarm of bees, and honey.
The people of the
village made a wedding feast for 7 days.
But they were scared of Samson
so they assigned 30 men to stay with him. Samson challenged them
to answer a riddle:
if they got the right answer before the 7 days were over,
he would give them 30 pieces of silver and 30 festal robes. But if they failed to
get the right answer,
they had to give Samson 30 pieces of silver and 30 robes.
They agreed to the challenge. Samson stated his
riddle: "Out of the eater came what is eaten,
out of the strong came what is sweet".
Three days went by and
they could not solve the riddle.
So they asked Samson's wife to find out the answer. Day after day she
pestered Samson with pleading and tears
until, on the 7th day, he told her. She then told the men. The men then said to
Samson:
"What is sweeter than honey,
and what is stronger than a lion?" Samson
then went to a nearby Philistine town
and killed 30 men there. He took their robes and
gave them to the 30 wedding feast guests.
Full of anger, he stormed out of the village
and returned to his parents' house. His wife was then given to
the companion
who had been his best man.
Dear
God, please help me control my anger
01
02
Psalms
29-30: The Lord gives us strength, the Lord blesses
us with peace.
Thank you, Lord, for so often helping and healing me.
I cried to you when sickness surrounded me, and you healed me. You changed my mourning into dancing.
So I will thank you always.
Thank you, Lord, for all the
times you have healed me
Listen
Romans
15.15-33: The reason I have written to you is to
encourage you in your faith. This is my job from God. He has appointed me as a priest of Jesus
Christ.
I must do all I can to spread the Good News. I hope to see you on my way to
Spain.
Please
pray for me that I may be protected from people who want to eliminate me
Jesus, help me do all I can to spread your
Good News
Listen
Luke
4.14-22: Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him,
returned to Galilee.
He taught in local prayer halls. His reputation spread. He came to his home town of Nazareth and went
to the prayer hall
on the Sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up and read these words from the
prophet Isaiah:
"The spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me
to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to prisoners,
to give sight to the blind, to set the downtrodden free". Jesus then sat down and said to the people in
the prayer hall "These words from Isaiah are being fulfilled today
even as you listen"
Jesus, please help me be more open to the
power of your Spirit.
O Holy Spirit, please increase your influence in my life
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Romans and
Luke, above, have much in common!
------------------------------
The HK O.M.I. bi-monthly meeting was held yesterday
afternoon at the Dr Jesus Centre, followed by a lovely meal at the MercyHK
canteen!
-------------------------------
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 13th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Jiangxi
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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Oct 12
With a
heavy heart I read every word of these 2 articles:
Simon Tisdall:
Nuclear
annihilation threat
Steve
Bloomfield:
World after Gaza
131. Having outlined the context in which the challenge of technological transformation is situated, especially those linked to AI and to transhumanist and posthumanist currents, we cannot remain at the level of general analysis alone. When languages and tools change, so do everyday actions and social relationships. For this reason, we must focus on certain areas in which these transformations have particularly concrete, and at times tragic, consequences. In light of the principles of the Churchs Social Doctrine, the digital transformation invites us to rediscover truth as a common good, to protect the dignity of work and to safeguard freedom against all forms of dependence and commercialization.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Judges
12 & 13: Jephthah
was judge in Israel for 6 years.
For the following 25 years,
Ibzan (7 years), Elon (10 years) and Abdon (8 years) were
judges. After these judges, the
Israelites again were unfaithful to the Lord
and so they were oppressed by the Philistines for 40 years. It was then that the
angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife
and said to her:
"You are barren and have had no child.
But you will soon conceive and bear a son.
No razor is to touch his head, for he shall be dedicated to the Lord from his mother's womb.
It is he who will rescue Israel from the Philistines". The woman gave birth to
a son and called him Samson.
The child grew and the Lord blessed him.
Dear
Lord, please bless all barren women
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
28: To you, O Lord, I call, my rock, hear me.
If you do not heed, I shall become like people in the grave. Lord, you are my strength and my shield.
In you my heart trusts. Thank you, Lord, for so often hearing my
prayer.
I will always thank and praise you. You are the strength of your people Israel.
Save your people. Be our shepherd and carry us for ever.
Lord, please help people who
are in big danger today
Listen
Romans
15.4-13: Learn hope from the Scriptures, from the
example of people who did not give up,
and were helped by God. May the God of hope bring you such joy and
peace in your faith,
that the power of the Holy Spirit will remove all
bounds to hope
Holy Spirit of God, help me understand that no
situation in this life is ever hopeless,
that you can enlighten even the
darkest place
Listen
Matthew
4.1-11: After he was baptized,
Jesus spent about 40 days praying and fasting in the
desert.
During this time, he was tempted by Satan. "If you are the Son of God,
change some stones into bread" said Satan. Jesus replied "Human life needs more than
bread.
Life needs God's message". Satan then took Jesus to a high place
and said
"Throw yourself down, since the angels will protect you". Jesus replied
"Presumption is a sin". Then Satan took Jesus to a high mountain
nd showed him all the nations of the world. "Worship me and I will give you all these
nations" said Satan. Jesus replied
"Go away, Satan! Only God is to be worshipped". The devil then went away.
Jesus, please protect us from
Satan and from evil
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: "Evil is not merely an absence of something but an active force, a living, spiritual being that is perverted and that perverts others. It is a terrible reality, mysterious and frightening" - Pope Paul VI, Nov 15, 1972
-------------------------
Guaranteed
to put a smile on every face: Kookaburras
laughing (4.7m. views)
--------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Oct 11
TVB
Oct 9 report about drug trafficking to HK - parts of report were filmed at
MercyHK's centres in Temple Streetr
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Trump
unhappy at not getting Nobel Peace Prize ... after he started attack on Iran
which has killed many people (including more than 100 school girls in first
week). The man is psychotic!
130. Questioning this alternative path of progress and how we interpret and live it is ultimately a matter of examining our own hearts. The way we understand and shape relationships, work and institutions, in practice reveals our fundamental values. In the end, it all stems from what we hold most dear. This is a love that guides us as to what we truly cherish, both as individuals and as a society, and directs our lives and actions. Saint Augustine described human history as a struggle between two loves, which give rise to two ways of inhabiting the world and living together or two cities, as it were: on the one hand, the love of God and neighbor; on the other, the exclusive love of self. Two loves have built two cities: the earthly city, the love of self even to the contempt of God; the heavenly city, the love of God even to the contempt of self. [139] As throughout history, these two loves continue to contend for dominance in our hearts today. The age of AI is no exception: the construction of Babel or the rebuilding of Jerusalem begins within each one of us.
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 28
Isaiah
25: On Mount
Zion in Jerusalem, the Lord will prepare for all peoples
a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines. On this mountain he will delete
Death. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek. Lord, you are my God,
I extol you, I praise your name. You, Lord, are a refuge for the poor, a refuge
for the needy in distress.
Lord, please give hope and courage to people who are sad and troubled in the
world today
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
23: The Lord is my
shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where
he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping
spirit. He guides me along the right path. He is true to his name. If I should
walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your
crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. You
have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil. My cup is overflowing. Surely goodness and
kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord's own house shall
I dwell for ever and ever.
Thank you, Lord, for
being my good shepherd
Listen
Philippians
4.11-20: I have learnt how to
manage on whatever I have. I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or
empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help
of the One who gives me strength. I
thank you my friends for supporting me financially, especially
when I was in great need.
Jesus, bless everyone who
has helped me in any way since the day I was born
Listen
Matthew
22.1-10: Jesus said
to the chief priests and elders of the people: The kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a king who gave a feast for his son's wedding. He sent his servants
to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some
more servants. "Tell those who have been invited" he said "that I
have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered,
everything is ready. Come to the wedding." But they were not interested:
one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his
servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He dispatched
his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his
servants, "The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be
unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to
the wedding." So these servants went out on to the roads and collected
together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and
the wedding hall was filled with guests.
Reflection on the above readings:
Sometimes people in a group are not welcoming to new members. Don't want any more. But God's policy is "always room for one more" ..."the more the merrier"...."a full house"
-------------------------------
One of my favourites at the local market: a big piece of
watermelon for only HK$10!
------------------------------
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 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, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Oct 10
At
a time when the number of wars and conflicts is rising, and when judges and
institutions of international law are under political attack, the Nobel
committee wishes to issue a reminder that the ability to resolve conflicts
without force or violence is dependent on the international rule of law. ...An
international legal system in which war criminals are held to account and the
victims of abuse see justice served is a precondition for a peaceful world.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Why
EU is failing to act on growing public criticism of Israel
129. Christian humanism does not reject science or technology, but embraces them with gratitude and realism, and grounds them within a higher vocation. The creative intelligence of humanity is a gift that can alleviate suffering and open up new possibilities, but it must remain ordered toward the common good, justice, the care of the vulnerable and creation. In this sense, the true alternative is not between enthusiasm and fear, but between two paths of development: a progress that serves individuals and peoples, or a progress that subjects them to the mentality of power. Ultimately, the key question remains the one posed by Saint John Paul II: does AI make human life on earth more human in every aspect of that life? Does it make it more worthy of man? [138] If the answer is yes, then we can recognize it as an opportunity to be embraced responsibly, on a path of patient, shared reconstruction, akin to the rebuilding of Jerusalem narrated in the Book of Nehemiah. If, however, power grows while the heart withers and human bonds fray, then we are faced with a new form of Babel a construction that is grandiose, yet fundamentally dehumanizing.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Judges
10 & 11: The
Israelites yet again served false gods,
and once more they were oppressed, this time by the Ammonites. The
Israelites appealed to Jephthah to help them.
Jephthah was the son of a prostitute.
His brothers had driven him from home
and would not give him a share of their father's inheritance. Jephthah
went into exile and became a famous soldier. Jephthah
agreed to help the Israelites
after they agreed to make him their future leader. Jephthah
tried to reason with the Ammonite king,
but the king refused to negotiate a peace agreement. The spirit
of the Lord then came on Jephthah
and he led the Israelites to victory over the Ammonites.
Dear Lord, may
your spirit give courage to all leaders
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
27: The Lord is my light and my
help, whom shall
I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life, before whom shall I shrink? Though
an army encamp against me, even then would I trust. There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this
I long:
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek. Hide not
your face.
I am sure I will see your goodness in the land of the living. Hope in the Lord, hold firm and take heart.
Hope in the Lord!
Lord, you are my light and my
help.
I will always praise you.
Listen
Romans
14.7 - 15.2: The life and death of each of us, has its
influence on others.
If we live, we live for the Lord. If we die, we die for the Lord.
Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord. Never pass judgment on other people.
Never treat other people with contempt. The kingdom of God is not about eating special
food.
The kingdom of God is about friendship with God,
and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do whatever you can to help other people
become stronger Christians
Jesus, please help me be a good Christian
Listen
John
1.19 - 34: John the Baptist was sent by God as a witness
to the people about the presence of the Word among them. When religious leaders asked John "Who
are you?", he replied "I am, as the prophet Isaiah prophesied, a
voice crying out: make a straight way for the Lord". When Jesus came to the river Jordan where John
was baptizing, John said "Look, there is the lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world. He is far more important than I am, because he
existed (as the Word) before I was born. I saw the Holy Spirit come down on him like a
dove. He will baptize people with the Holy Spirit. He is the Chosen
One of God"
Jesus, lamb of God, Chosen One of God, please
baptize me with the Holy Spirit
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Mylittle song about Jesus' baptism
---------------------------
Pope's article above, 129, refers at end (as at start of
whole letter) to story of Babel ....about which yesterday I watched this
excellent video
------------------------------
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 10th
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 10th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Eritrea
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Oct 9
Big miracle yesterday morning .... person arrested HK airport
with 2 kg of ketamine from Europe ... was granted bail ....God bless the extra
kind judge! (...person, in my view, a vulnerable victim of online scam...)
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Last night I booked plane tickets for my annual holiday after Christmas
... this time to ... Lebanon ... to see if I can do a little bit of good there
to make up for all the destruction caused by US-sponsored Israeli attacks
128. When we embrace the possibility of transcending ourselves through Gods grace, we do not deny our nature, nor do we become less human. On the contrary, as Pope Francis explained, We become fully human when we become more than human, when we let God bring us beyond ourselves in order to attain the fullest truth of our being. [137] Herein lies the radical departure from Promethean dreams: what saves humanity is not enhanced self-sufficiency, but a relationship that liberates, a communion that transforms. In this light, a technology that merely classifies and optimizes what already exists can, however unintentionally, become an obstacle to change and growth. For an algorithm, an error is a flaw to be corrected; for a person, however, an error can be a catalyst for profound change. A persons future is not calculable, but depends on ones freedom elevated by the inexhaustible grace of God and on the relationships cultivated.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Judges 9: Gideon had seventy sons
by his wives and concubines.
One of his sons was Abimelech, son of a concubine. Abimelech became king
after murdering all but one
of his 70 half-brothers.
The half-brother who escaped was Jotham. Abimelech ruled over
Israel for 3 years.
Then God sent a spirit of discord
between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem rebelled against
Abimelech.
Abimelech started attacking and destroying their towns. Abimelech besieged the
town of Thebez.
The people of the town took refuge in a tower. When Abimelech tried to
set fire to the tower,
a woman in the tower threw down a large rock
which crushed Abimelech's head.
Abimelech got his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword,
so that no one could say he was killed by a woman.
Dear
Lord, please stop evil people from hurting other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
24 -26: The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples.
It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe. May all hearts open their doors to the Lord.
Let him enter, the king of glory. Lord I hope in you all the day long.
Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth.
God my savior, teach me your
way of truth
Listen
Romans
13.12-14:
Let us stop our bad behavior of the past:
drunken orgies, immorality, quarreling, jealousy. Let us live good
lives. Let the Lord Jesus
protect and help us
Jesus, please help me give up bad behavior
Listen
Luke
3.15-22: John the Baptist said to the people "I
baptize you with water, but someone more powerful than I will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit.
I am not fit to undo the strap of the powerful one's sandals". Jesus then came and was baptized by John.
While Jesus was praying after his baptism, heaven opened and the Holy
Spirit came down on him in the shape of a dove. And a voice came from heaven "You are my
Son, the Beloved. My favor rests on you".
Jesus, Beloved Son, please baptize me with
your Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, please increase your influence in my life
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Last night I Googled "Why was Jesus baptized by John the Baptist?" .... excellent answer
-------------------------
Many thanks to kind friends who prayed yesterday morning
for bail application at the High Court. I myself prayed non-stop for more than
an hour as the hearing proceeded!
-------------------------
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 9th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Henan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 9th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Mozambique
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Oct 8
Yesterday
morning a film crew from TVB came to the Dr Jesus Centre and MercyHK canteen in
Temple Street to prepare a program on the danger of local and Mainland people
being tricked online to go to another country and bring drugs to HK. The program
is due to go to air tomrrow night at 9.30.
Yesterday
afternoon I joined several MercyHK staff colleagues for the funeral service of
one of our dear street sleepers. Part one of service was in the mortuary section
of nearby Kwong Wah Hospital. Part two was at far away Wo Hop Shek Crematorium.
May that dear friend in Heaven help us by his prayers!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Settlers
bash photographer
127. The expression more than human is not an exclusive domain of technological promise. For centuries, the Christian tradition has maintained that human beings are not confined by the boundaries of their own nature; rather, they are called to self-transcendence, not through an escape from reality or a contempt for their limitations, but through their fulfillment in love. Faith recognizes an openness toward the beyond, which originates as a gift from God. This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit. As Saint Thomas Aquinas taught, this process of elevation and transformation surpasses every capability of created nature, [134] for an infinite disparity separates our finite nature from the life of God. [135] Nevertheless, it remains possible to enter into the heart of that inexhaustible life, even as we journey through the limitations of this world. The one who makes this passage possible can only be the Eternal One who gives of himself. Indeed, it is God himself who overcomes the infinite disproportion. [136] In him, the re-creation of the human person happens. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new ( 2 Cor 5:17).
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Judges 8: After Gideon defeated
all the enemies of the Israelites,
the Israelites asked him to be their ruler. He replied: "It is
not I who shall rule over you, nor my son;
The Lord must be your ruler". After Gideon's death,
the people of Israel again began
to worship the local idols. They no longer remembered
the Lord who had so often rescued them. The people were also
ungrateful to Gideon's family
despite all the good deeds that family had done for Israel.
Dear
Lord, please don't let me ever become an ungrateful person
Recording
Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? I call to you for help, but day and night you give no reply. I am a worm and not a man. Everyone who sees me makes fun of me. They taunt me: "He trusted in the Lord, why doesn't the Lord help him?" Like water I am poured out, my bones no longer connected. My throat is parched, my tongue sticks to my jaws. Many evil people attack me. They make holes in my hands and my feet. They await my death. They divide my clothing among them, they throw a dice for my robe.
Yet I know Lord, that you are good and
holy.
I know how you heard the cries of our ancestors and you helped them. It was you who took me from the womb
and entrusted me to my mother's breast.
To you I was committed from my birth,
from my mother's womb you have been my God. Lord, I trust in you even now.
I trust you will not scorn my prayer. Even now I praise you as my Creator.
May all the nations know and worship you.
Lord, please help people who
are in big trouble right now,
especially people whose lives are in danger
01
02
Romans 13.8-9: Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of
love we owe each other.
Love other people as you should, and you will keep all the commandments. All the commandments
concerning other people -
You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal etc
- are summed up in the words "You must care about your neighbor as
much as you care about yourself"
Jesus,
help me care about others as much
as I care about myself
Listen
Luke 3.10-14: People asked John the Baptist
how they should
reform their lives.
He replied:
"If anyone has extra clothing, share with people who have none.
If anyone has plenty to eat, share with people who have nothing" Tax collectors asked John what they should do.
He replied "Don't cheat anyone".
Soldiers asked him "What about us? What
must we do?"
He replied "No bullying. No extortion. Be content with your pay"
Jesus, what about me? What should I do?
Listen
---------------
This
morning I'm due to be at the High Court for the hearing of a very special bail
application. Thank you for a prayer!
--------------------
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 8th 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 8th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sierra
Leone
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
----------------------------
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
