v2catholic

Tuesday April 12

Christine, fighting stage 4 cancer, is now in almost constant pain

Jesus, please tsunami Christine with your healing love!

Letter from a South African inmate in a Hong Kong prison - describing how he got caught up in a credit card scam:

It is a surprise to find the SCMP publishing this story on such a sensitive topic:

Xi Jinping flirts with danger in his turn to ideology

Letter from a Kenyan inmate in a Hong Kong prison - explaining how she was tricked by drug traffickers. I hope letters like this will help prevent other people from being similarly tricked:

	The Book Blog 4 readings + recordings
Comments/reflections welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Esther 1

The kingdom of King Ahasuerus stretched from India to Ethiopia.

Ahasuerus gave a banquet for all his leading people. But Queen Vashti refused to join the banquet.

The king therefore decided to replace Vashti as queen.

Dear God, please bless all kings and queens in the world

My recording of this reading

Psalm 3

When people make fun of me for believing in you, Lord, I deeply remember how you are my help and my shield.

Even when the whole world seems against me, I can go to bed and sleep easy, knowing that you protect me.

O Lord, please rescue me from people who plot against me. Lord our savior, please bless everyone who needs help.

Lord, thank you for your protection and help

Recording

Recommended: check these readings early morning, think about them during the day, check them again at night. This habit gives us extra energy, courage, motivation, peace and compassion for each day

Ephesians 2.11-14

You non-Jews were once without hope and without God

But now by the blood of Christ,
you who had nothing in common with us Jews, have been united with us into one family

Christ is the peace between us.
He has broken down the barrier which used to keep us apart

Jesus, break down barriers of misunderstanding
which divide the peoples of the world

Recording

John 3.13-17

Jesus said to the religious leader: "The Son of Man must be lifted up on a cross, as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him"

God loved the world so much, that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life

For God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved

Jesus, only Son of God the Father, thank you for coming into this world. Please help more and more people believe in you

Recording

How China turns foreign banks into a mercenary foreign policy force

Kenya deports eight Taiwanese nationals to China instead of Taiwan, prompting protest
(I met some of the Taiwanese, and others from mainland China, in Langata prison, Nairobi, on January 17!)

The Joy of Love - Pope Francis' letter - on love in the family

3: (Recording of 3:)

Since “time is greater than space”, I would make it clear that not all discussions of doctrinal, moral or pastoral issues need to be settled by interventions of the magisterium. Unity of teaching and practice is certainly necessary in the Church, but this does not preclude various ways of interpreting some aspects of that teaching or drawing certain consequences from it. This will always be the case as the Spirit guides us towards the entire truth (cf. Jn 16:13), until he leads us fully into the mystery of Christ and enables us to see all things as he does. Each country or region, moreover, can seek solutions better suited to its culture and sensitive to its traditions and local needs. For “cultures are in fact quite diverse and every general principle… needs to be inculturated, if it is to be respected and applied”.³

Full English text

Full Chinese text

Pope's letter on climate change:
Laudato Si 我主應受讚美

15: (Recording of 15:)

It is my hope that this Encyclical Letter, which is now added to the body of the Church’s social teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we face.

I will begin by briefly reviewing several aspects of the present ecological crisis, with the aim of drawing on the results of the best scientific research available today, letting them touch us deeply and provide a concrete foundation for the ethical and spiritual itinerary that follows.

I will then consider some principles drawn from the Judaeo-Christian tradition which can render our commitment to the environment more coherent. I will then attempt to get to the roots of the present situation, so as to consider not only its symptoms but also its deepest causes. This will help to provide an approach to ecology which respects our unique place as human beings in this world and our relationship to our surroundings.

In light of this reflection, I will advance some broader proposals for dialogue and action which would involve each of us as individuals, and also affect international policy. Finally, convinced as I am that change is impossible without motivation and a process of education, I will offer some inspired guidelines for human development to be found in the treasure of Christian spiritual experience.

Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel Full English text Full Chinese text

277: (Recording of 277:)

New difficulties are constantly surfacing: experiences of failure and the human weaknesses which bring so much pain.

We all know from experience that sometimes a task does not bring the satisfaction we seek, results are few and changes are slow, and we are tempted to grow weary.

Yet lowering our arms momentarily out of weariness is not the same as lowering them for good, overcome by chronic discontent and by a listlessness that parches the soul.

It also happens that our hearts can tire of the struggle because in the end we are caught up in ourselves, in a careerism which thirsts for recognition, applause, rewards and status.

In this case we do not lower our arms, but we no longer grasp what we seek, the resurrection is not there. In cases like these, the Gospel, the most beautiful message that this world can offer, is buried under a pile of excuses

Yesterday I went to a doctor for help to fight a cold that's been hanging on for more than a week ....only to find that the doctor himself was fighting a similar battle!

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America

Jesus, today, Tuesday, please bless the people of South Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 12th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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-Bissau

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Boko Haram

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items: 2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Monday April 11

"Only a fool says there is no God"

(Psalm 14)

Islam File The New Translation

Photos of my trip to Tanzania/Malawi

"Same-sex marriage" file

New cocaine route prompts Hong Kong customs to step up Middle East links

Couriers from South America discharge drugs in destinations such as Dubai, then pass illegal cargo to ‘second-leg’ mules to complete journey

- see comment by "mricci"

Letter from a Ugandan inmate in a HK prison, warning about the danger of drug trafficking:

	The Book Blog 4 readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible (which has Chinese translation available)

Judith 14-16

At daybreak the Jews attacked the Assyrian camp. When the Assyrians realized that Holofernes was dead, they panicked and fled.

The Jews gave thanks to God for all that Judith had done.

Judith praised the God of Israel for rescuing the Jews:

"Lord you are great, you are glorious, wonderfully strong, unconquerable. May all peoples love and serve you."

Dear God, thank you for the story of Judith. Please help me imitate her faith

My recording of this reading

Psalm 2

Why are the nations revolting against God? Why won't the nations accept God?

O kings and rulers of the nations, listen to God's voice. Serve the Lord with love and honor.

Blessed are the nations that love the Lord

Let all the nations love you, Lord. Let all the nations love you

Recording

Ephesians 2.4-10

God loved us so much, that when we were dead through our sins,
he brought us to life with Christ

We are God's work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live a life of goodness, as God originally intended us to live

Heavenly Father, help me live my life the way you want me to live it

Recording

John 3.1-5

A religious leader said to Jesus "you are a teacher who comes from God, for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him"

Jesus replied "Unless you are born through water and the Spirit,
you cannot enter God's kingdom"

Jesus, please help more people be baptized through water and the Spirit

Recording

Darlene Starrs (Blogger from Canada)

The Work of God:

Jesus tells the people at Capernaum that the work that God asks of them is to believe in him.
Truly, this remains a challenge for most of us everyday!
As we anticipate Pentecost, let us ask the Holy Spirit to increase our faith!

Full English text

The Joy of Love - Pope Francis' letter - on love in the family

2: (Recording of 2:)
The Synod process allowed for an examination of the situation of families in today’s world, and thus for a broader vision and a renewed awareness of the importance of marriage and the family. The complexity of the issues that arose revealed the need for continued open discussion of a number of doctrinal, moral, spiritual, and pastoral questions. The thinking of pastors and theologians, if faithful to the Church, honest, realistic and creative, will help us to achieve greater clarity. The debates carried on in the media, in certain publications and even among the Church’s ministers, range from an immoderate desire for total change without sufficient reflection or grounding, to an attitude that would solve everything by applying general rules or deriving undue conclusions from particular theological considerations.

The world looks away as blood flows in Burundi

Full English text

Full Chinese text

Pope's letter on climate change:
Laudato Si 我主應受讚美

14: (Recording of 14:)
I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.

The worldwide ecological movement has already made considerable progress and led to the establishment of numerous organizations committed to raising awareness of these challenges. Regrettably, many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest.

Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity.

As the bishops of Southern Africa have stated: “Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation”. [22] All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.

Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel Full English text Full Chinese text

276: (Recording of 276:)
However dark things are, goodness always re-emerges and spreads.

Each day in our world beauty is born anew, it rises transformed through the storms of history.

Values always tend to reappear under new guises, and human beings have arisen time after time from situations that seemed doomed.

Such is the power of the resurrection, and all who evangelize are instruments of that power.

10 years ago today

2006-04-11 New baby in Area C, Mazenod Center angels, meal for migrant workers at Xavier
Center

If God is your Co-pilot .. swap seats

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America

Jesus, today, Monday, please bless the people of Europe & Russia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 11th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Eritrea

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify ISIS

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items: 2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Sunday April 10

Last Friday Pope Francis published his new letter - The Joy of Love - on love in the family.
I am now making the resolution to read and record one article of this letter each day and put it on this website. I hope many readers will join me in the project of reading this daily article as a way of getting more energy for our lives and our world.

This means that for the time being there will in fact be three articles (with recordings) from the Pope each day: one from "The Joy of the Gospel", one from "Laudato Si" and now one from "The Joy of Love".

This might sound a bit heavy, but like the four Bible readings also on the daily menu, the teaching in the Pope's letters are what we urgently need to sustain our Christian lives each day.

I am sure that anyone who makes the effort to check these 4+3 readings each day will notice an increase of courage and hope and strength for our daily lives in this troubled world.

	The Book Blog 4 readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible (which has Chinese translation available)

c.f. Readings for "Easter 3"

Acts 5.21-33

When the leaders had their big meeting later that same morning, they sent for the apostles to be brought from prison

The police went to the prison, then came back and reported to the leaders "We found that the prison was properly locked, and the guards were on duty. But when we unlocked the door, there was no one inside"

Then a man arrived at the meeting with the news "At this very moment, the men you imprisoned are now in the Temple preaching to the people"

The police again arrested the apostles and brought them to the meeting

When the main religious leader reminded them of his previous warning not to preach, Peter and the apostles replied "Obedience to God comes before obedience to men. God raised Jesus up to be the Savior. We are witnesses to this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God gives to those who obey him"

This made the leaders so angry that they wanted to kill the apostles

Jesus, please help me put obedience to you before all other obediences

My recordings of this reading:

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.

Recording

Revelation 5.11-14

I heard the sound of an immense number of angels gathered around God's throne. There were 10,000 times 10,000 of them, shouting:

"The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing"

I heard all living things in creation - angels, people, animals - crying out: "To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb, be all praise, honor, glory and power for ever and ever"

"Thou are worthy, Thou art worthy, Thou are worthy O Lord,
to receive glory, glory and honor, glory and honor and power"

Recording

Daniel Daring:

Worthy is the Lamb

A clash between human and heavenly rule is at the heart of the liturgy of the Word today

Chinese text

John 21.1-14

Jesus also appeared to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee, when Peter, John and 5 other disciples were fishing. They had spent all night in their boat, but had caught nothing

In the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, though the disciples did not recognize him. He called out "Lower your net on the right side of the boat"

Immediately the net filled with fish. John realized that the man on the shore was Jesus. John said to Peter "It is the Lord", and they returned to the shore, which was only about 100 meters away. The net had 153 big fish, but did not break

Jesus had prepared some bread. He also had some fish cooking on a charcoal fire. He said "Come and have breakfast"

Jesus, Risen Lord, without you, no fish. With you, 153 fish. Please help me be more aware of your presence in my life

Recording

Full English text

The Joy of Love - Pope Francis' letter - on love in the family

1: The Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church. As the

Synod Fathers noted, for all the many signs of crisis in the institution of marriage, "the desire

to marry and form a family remains vibrant, especially among young people, and this is an

inspiration to the Church". As a response to that desire, "the Christian proclamation on the

family is good news indeed" (Recording of 1:)

Full English text

Full Chinese text

Listen to 13

Pope's letter on climate change:
Laudato Si 我主應受讚美

13. The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change.

The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home.

Here I want to recognize, encourage and thank all those striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we share.

Particular appreciation is owed to those who tirelessly seek to resolve the tragic effects of environmental degradation on the lives of the world’s poorest.

Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded.

Recording of 276

Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel Full English text Full Chinese text

276 Christ’s resurrection is not (just) an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world.

Where all seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. It is an irresistible force.

Often it seems that God does not exist: all around us we see persistent injustice, evil, indifference and cruelty. But it is also

true that in the midst of darkness something new always springs to life and sooner or later produces fruit. On razed land life

breaks through, stubbornly yet invincibly.

10 years ago
today

2006-04-10 Baby Suen, born last night at San Mao Hospital. Family live near Assisi Center

Today's Gospel calls for a fish joke.
One that comes to mind is about a fellow fishing on a bridge who was told by a policeman "can't fish here" ...to which the fellow replied "I don't know" (..."can't fish hear?")

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America

Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless the people of Africa

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 10th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Guinea

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please bless all Muslims in my own country

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items: 2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Saturday April 9

Happy Meal last night at Filipino restaurant in Jordan to welcome Zhaoqing Joe on his first-ever visit to Hong Kong, with his guide HK Rosa, and old Zhaoqing friends Ling and Peter - joined by nursing home Christine (thank you for ordering the delicious food!) and her helpers Fata, Si Si and Andre ....and also Jordan area Christine who is in between jobs. Larger photo & 2nd photo here

A Nigerian Drug syndicate in Hong Kong includes "informers" who avoid arrest in HK by giving the authorities information about drug mules ....which is why some poor mules who come to HK are arrested by the Narcotics Bureau, not Customs ....NB has been tipped off ....and the only people who could have done this are the people who arranged the mules' trips. Please spread the word. I'm very sad going to court with Nigerian mules who have been set up by Nigerian Drug Lords

	The Book Blog 4 readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple Bible (which has Chinese translation available)

Judith 13

When the banquet was over at a late hour, Judith was alone with Holofernes in his tent. Holofernes lay drunk on his bed.

After praying to God for strength,
Judith used Holofernes' sword to cut off his head.

She went outside and gave the head to her maid. Her maid put the head in her bag.

Judith and her maid then left the camp as they usually did when they went to pray early in the morning.

They went straight to Bethulia and showed Holofernes' head to the people.

The people were overcome with joy and praised God for what he had done by the hand of a woman.

Dear God, please give people the courage to confront injustice

My recording of this reading

Psalm 1

Happy the person who avoids evil and evil entertainment.
Happy the person who reads and meditates on God's words.

Such a person is like a tree planted beside a river, getting plenty of nourishment, bearing plenty of fruit.

Such a person is on the Way of Life.
People who do evil are on the Way of Death.

Dear Lord, please help me do good and avoid evil

Recording

Judith & Holofernes!

Ephesians 1.19-23

God the Father raised Christ from death, and put him on the divine throne

Christ is the C.E.O. of the universe, in charge of everything, from galaxies to governments. No one and nothing is exempt from his rule

At the center of everything is the church. It is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts

Jesus, help me understand how the church is the heart of the world, pumping your life and love to all parts of the world

Recording

John 2.13-22

Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the Temple he saw people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, with money changers sitting at their counting tables

Jesus made a whip out of some cord, then drove the sellers out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well. He scattered the money changers' coins, knocked their tables over, and said to the pigeon sellers "Take all of this out of here and stop turning my Father's house into a market"

Some religious leaders asked him "What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?"

Jesus answered "Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up". The leaders replied "It has taken 46 years to build this sanctuary"

But Jesus was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when he rose from the dead, his disciples remembered his words

Jesus, please don't let churches and prayer centers become centers of commerce

Recording

Pope reaches out to divorcees but holds line on gay marriage

Pope Francis urges compassion for all in landmark statement on family values

Full text: The Joy of Love (Family life)

Starting tomorrow on this website: one article per day from Pope's new letter

America's prisons - What's changed and what's next

This letter is so important, I'm going to read it again, one item a day, hoping I can understand it better and put it into practice a bit more. Please join me in the re-reading

Full English text

Full Chinese text

Listen to 12

Pope's letter on climate change:
Laudato Si 我主應受讚美

12. What is more, Saint Francis, faithful to Scripture, invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness.

“Through the greatness and the beauty of creatures one comes to know by analogy their maker” (Wis 13:5); indeed, “his eternal power and divinity have been made known through his works since the creation of the world” (Rom 1:20).

For this reason, Francis asked that part of the friary garden always be left untouched, so that wild flowers and herbs could grow there, and those who saw them could raise their minds to God, the Creator of such beauty.[21]

Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.

Great Barrier Reef bleaching
"When you look at those stark, white photos, you're looking at the face of climate change"

Recording of 275

Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel Full English text Full Chinese text

275. If we think that things are not going to change, we need to recall that Jesus Christ has triumphed over sin and death and is now almighty.

Jesus Christ truly lives. Put another way, “ if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain” (1 Cor 15:14 ).

The Gospel tells us that when the first disciples went forth to preach, “the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message” (Mk 16:20 ). The same thing happens today. We are invited to discover this, to experience it.

Christ, risen and glorified, is the wellspring of our hope, and he will not deprive us of the help we need to carry out the mission which he has entrusted to us.

Q: What did the spider do on the computer?
A: Made a website!

Q: What did the computer do at lunchtime?
A: Had a byte!

Q: What does a baby computer call its father?
A: Data!

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America

Jesus, today, Saturday, please bless the people of Central & North America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 9th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Central African Republic

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify the Taliban

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items: 2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Friday April 8

This is good:
Pope addresses Methodist guests - full text

"In today’s world, afflicted by so much evil, it is more than ever vital that as Christians we offer a joint witness inspired by the light of Easter, becoming a sign of the love of God, which in the resurrection of Jesus is victorious"

Also good:

We achieve fulfilment when we break down walls, and our heart is filled with faces and names!

- Pope in 274, below

	The Book Blog 4 readings + recordings
Comments/reflections welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Judith 12

Holofernes allowed Judith and her maid to stay in a special tent each night, and each morning to go to a spring near Bethulia to wash and pray.

After 3 days, Holofernes held a banquet for his staff. He invited Judith to the banquet with the aim of seducing her.

Holofernes was so captivated by Judith's beauty that he kept on drinking wine until he was drunk.

All the while Judith kept praying to God for strength and help.

Dear God, please give me a bit more of Judith's faith and courage

My recording of this reading

Psalms 149-150

Sing a new song to the Lord.
Let the praise of God be always on our lips.

Praise God in his holy temple.
Praise him in the heavens.

O praise him with sound of trumpet. Praise him with lute and harp.

Praise him with drums and dancing. Praise him with strings and pipes.

Let everything that lives and breathes, give praise to the Lord our Creator. Alleluia!

Lord, to you we say every day "Allelu -ia" ("praise God")

Recording

Ephesians 1.16-18

I never fail to remember you in my prayers and to thank God for you

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you more and more wisdom and knowledge to see ever more clearly his great love for you

May he enlighten your mind to hope for the glorious life he has prepared for us in heaven

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may I see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day

Recording

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

Recording

HK at the centre of Mossack Fonseca's business
Nearly one third of business conducted by Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca came from its offices in Hong Kong and the mainland. And more details have emerged of how relatives of at least eight members of the Politburo Standing Committee have offshore holdings. Hong Kong is Mossack Fonseca's busiest office.

The Panama Papers and the conscience of HK – a wake-up call
HK is at the forefront of an extremely lucrative enterprise that helps companies and individuals, including world leaders and the super-rich, put their assets and wealth beyond the reach of regulators

This is a time-bomb for China's Community Party:
Panama Papers reveal offshore secrets of China’s red nobility

China ramps up Panama Papers censorship after leaders' relatives named

Full English text

Full Chinese text

Listen to 11

Pope's letter on climate change:
Laudato Si 我主應受讚美

11. Francis (of Assisi) helps us to see that an integral ecology calls for openness to categories which transcend the language of mathematics and biology, and take us to the heart of what it is to be human.

Just as happens when we fall in love with someone, whenever Francis would gaze at the sun, the moon or the smallest of animals, he burst into song, drawing all other creatures into his praise. He communed with all creation, even preaching to the flowers, inviting them “to praise the Lord, just as if they were endowed with reason”.[19]

His response to the world around him was so much more than intellectual appreciation or economic calculus, for to him each and every creature was a sister united to him by bonds of affection. That is why he felt called to care for all that exists.

.... If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs....

Story of cities #17- Canberra's vision of the ideal city gets mired in 'mediocrity'

Recording of 274

Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel Full English text Full Chinese text

274. Every human being is the object of God’s infinite tenderness, and he himself is present in their lives.

Jesus offered his precious blood on the cross for that person.

Appearances notwithstanding, every person is immensely holy and deserves our love.

Consequently, if I can help at least one person to have a better life, that already justifies the offering of my life.

It is a wonderful thing to be God’s faithful people. We achieve fulfilment when we break down walls and our heart is filled with faces and names!

10 years ago today

2006-04-08,09 Meals for migrant worker families at Assisi, Marco Polo (+ bricks!), Xavier,
Mazenod

A woman was flying from Melbourne to Brisbane .
Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sydney along the way.

The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted
to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind.

A man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her Guide
Dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight.

He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by
name, said, 'Kathy, we are in Sydney for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?'
The blind lady replied, 'No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs.'

Picture this:
All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane
with a Guide dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses!

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America

Jesus, today, Friday, please bless the people of South America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 8th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Heilongjiang

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, on this Muslim day of prayer, please bless all Muslims!

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items: 2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Thursday April 7

Joshua Wong's new party named 'Demosisto'

As you look at photo above, you see people who really care about the future of Hong Kong's basic freedoms - and notice how young these people are. It's the young who are standing up for HK, putting their careers and lives on the line, while the rich and powerful are looking the other way, as in this story:

HK gov’t turning ‘blind eye’ as Beijing ‘chips away’ at rights and freedoms

c.f. Formation of Hong Kong National Party is the latest sign that China is losing Hong Kong’s young

	The Book Blog 4 readings + recordings
Comments/reflections welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Judith 11

Judith was very clever when she spoke to Holofernes. She told him that the Jews would be abandoned by God if they broke God's laws.

She said that the Jews planned to break God's laws in a few days by eating consecrated foods.

She said she would monitor the situation each day and let Holofernes know when the Jews were abandoned by God and ready to be attacked by Holofernes.

Judith's words and beauty won over Holofernes and his staff and they agreed to her suggestions.

Dear God, please give us wisdom and tact for dealing with difficult people
My recording of this reading

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise him in the heights. Praise him all his angels, praise him all his spirits.

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, shining stars. Let them praise the name of the Lord. His word gave life to all of them.

Praise the Lord from the earth, sea creatures and all oceans. Praise him fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy winds that obey his word.

Praise him all mountains and hills,
all fruit trees and cedars. Praise him all animals, wild and tame,
reptiles and birds in the air.

Praise him all earth's kings and peoples, earth's princes and rulers. Praise him young men and maidens, old people together with children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord. He is the praise of all who love him.

Lord our God and Creator, you are worthy of all praise

Recording

Ephesians 1.9-13

God the Father has let us know his sacred plan: the whole show, everything in heaven and everything in earth, is one big orchestra with Christ as the conductor

We Jews are special instruments in the orchestra. We were chosen to put our hope in Christ before he came

And you non-Jews are also on the stage, now that you have believed the truth of the Good News

All of us have been stamped with the Holy Spirit. He's the composer whose music we are playing

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank you for the gift of life and the gift of faith. Help me play well!

Recording

John 1.35-51

John the Baptist told his disciples Andrew and John that Jesus was the Chosen One of God. Andrew and John then followed Jesus

Andrew took his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter, and Peter followed Jesus

Jesus met Philip and said to him "Follow me". Philip called one more man, Nathanael (Bartholomew) and said to him "we have found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about. He is Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth"

Jesus, please help me introduce more people to know and love you

Recording

Pope Francis to visit refugees on Lesbos

Full English text

Full Chinese text

Listen to 10

Pope's letter on climate change:
Laudato Si 我主應受讚美

10. I do not want to write this Encyclical without turning to that attractive and compelling figure, whose name I took as my guide and inspiration when I was elected Bishop of Rome. I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically.

He is the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology, and he is also much loved by non-Christians. He was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his openheartedness.

He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.

China No.1 for death penalty in 2015 as executions surge 54% worldwide – Amnesty

Recording of 273

Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel Full text

273. My mission of being in the heart of the people is not just a part of my life or a badge I can take off; it is not an “extra” or just another moment in life.

Instead, it is something I cannot uproot from my being without destroying my very self.

I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world.

We have to regard ourselves as sealed, even branded, by this mission of bringing light, blessing, enlivening, raising up, healing and freeing.

All around us we begin to see nurses with soul, teachers with soul, politicians with soul, people who have chosen deep down to be with others and for others.

But once we separate our work from our private lives, everything turns grey and we will always be seeking recognition or asserting our needs. We stop being a people.

Yesterday on HK Island as I walked from a morning prison-related meeting in Admiralty to visit a very dear friend in Tung Wah Hospital (before another prisoner-related meeting in afternoon at Admiralty) .... somewhere in Central an English man was doing business on the footpath ... .. asking "foreigners" like myself ...."HK Sevens tickets for sale ...would you like one?"

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America

Jesus, today, Thursday, please bless the people of S.E. Asia & Pacific

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 7th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hebei

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 4th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Burkina Faso

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Al-Qaeda

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items: 2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Wednesday April 6

Tanzania president shelves Union Day celebrations

President directs that Sh2 billion meant for the annual celebration be channelled into repairing highway

Jesus, please give the world more leaders like John Magafuli !

African countries prominent in this Family Watch update:

"You haven’t heard from us for a few weeks because we have been very busy fighting for the family in the trenches at the United Nations. A number of critical events have transpired at the UN in both New York and Geneva in the past few weeks. Here is a summary of the good, the bad and the ugly:"

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly at the UN

Chris McDonnell
(Wed UK blogger)

The balancing act
of friendship

Anniversaries can be times of celebration or memorial, times of healing or the renewal of old animosities.

	The Book Blog 4 readings + recordings
Comments/reflections welcome here Readings are from Simple Bible

Judith 10

Judith put on her most beautiful clothes and jewelry. Then she and her maid headed for the Assyrian camp.

She told the Assyrian soldiers that she was fleeing from Bethulia since it would soon be attacked.

She said she wanted to give Holofernes some important information.

The soldiers took her to meet Holofernes.

Dear God, please give us the courage of Judith

My recording of this reading

Psalm 147

Praise the Lord for he is good.
Sing to our God for he is loving. To him our praise is due.

The Lord builds up Jerusalem
and brings back Israel's exiles.

He heals the broken-hearted and binds up all their wounds. The Lord raises the lowly and humbles the wicked.

He fixes the number of the stars.
He calls each one by name. Our Lord is great and almighty. His wisdom can never be measured.

He covers the heavens with clouds. He prepares rain for the earth, making mountains sprout with grass and with plants to serve our needs.

His delight is not in horses nor his pleasure in warriors' strength. The Lord delights in those who love and honor him, in those who wait for his love.

It is right and fitting to praise and love you, Lord our Creator

Recording

Ephesians 1.1-7

From Paul, appointed to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before the world was made, he chose us in Christ, to live through love in his presence

He chose us, in Christ, to be his adopted children, to make us praise the glory of his grace

This grace is his free gift to us in his Beloved Son, through whose blood we gain our freedom and the forgiveness of our sins

Father, thank you for upgrading me from human child to Divine Child!

Recording

John 1:5, 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

Recording

Email from Australian volunteer, Joseph Mula, who previously worked in China, now going to Nepal:
(photo of Joseph at my home in 2014 and photos of the two of us at school in Brisbane in 1958!)

"My volunteer project for 2016 will commence in Sept and last for 6 weeks. I will be going to a small village called Rasuwa which is 90 kilometers from Katmandu and 1420 meters above sea level.
Rotary Australia and Nepal have been supporting school children and teachers to return to normal after the devastating earthquake in 2015 which flattened schools and killed a number of residents including teachers.
My task will be to help train teachers to carry on the education of children and help them get back to normal. I will be following in the footsteps of other Australians who have provided their skills and funds for this project.
I seek your support for this project. A project account has been set up where you can donate funds under the Rotary Nepalese appeal. Details are provided below so you can do an online transfer. Every little bit helps.
Thank you for your support on behalf of the Nepalese people.
How you can help:

This link will take you to the Rotary RAWCS page through which donations can be made for this project.
Donations through this site are tax deductible as well. Please put a notation in the box titled "Requests" that the donation is for Joseph Mula Nepal Project. This will help us identify the allocation of these funds.

Please share this message with anyone you might know could support our project" joseph.mula@gmail.com

Full English text

Full Chinese text

Listen to 9

Pope's letter on climate change:
Laudato Si 我主應受讚美

9. At the same time, Bartholomew has drawn attention to the ethical and spiritual roots of environmental problems, which require that we look for solutions not only in technology, but in a change of humanity; otherwise we would be dealing merely with symptoms.

He asks us to replace consumption with sacrifice, greed with generosity, wastefulness with a spirit of sharing, an asceticism which “entails learning to give, and not simply to give up.

It is a way of loving, of moving gradually away from what I want to what God’s world needs. It is liberation from fear, greed and compulsion”.[17]

As Christians, we are also called “to accept the world as a sacrament of communion, as a way of sharing with God and our neighbours on a global scale. It is our humble conviction that the divine and the human meet in the slightest detail in the seamless garment of God’s creation, in the last speck of dust of our planet”.[18]

Funds linked to Le Pen funnelled through HK
Hong Kong is under the spotlight after the leak showed the city topped the list of territories where intermediaries operate between Mossack Fonseca and its customers, with the United Kingdom and Switzerland second and third on the list

Recording of 272

Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel Full text

272. The work of evangelization enriches the mind and the heart; it opens up spiritual horizons; it makes us more and more sensitive to the workings of the Holy Spirit, and it takes us beyond our limited spiritual constructs.

A committed missionary knows the joy of being a spring which spills over and refreshes others.

Only the person who feels happiness in seeking the good of others, in desiring their happiness, can be a missionary.

This openness of the heart is a source of joy, since “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35 ).

We do not live better when we flee, hide, refuse to share, stop giving and lock ourselves up in own comforts. Such a life is nothing less than slow suicide.

10 years ago today

2006-04-06,07 Visit to all six centers & CAS by RGS friends Juliana (Macau) and Mary
(Hong Kong) + Thursday night meal at Assisi + Zhaoqing university students at Ricci

Christine (cancer patient for whom I've been asking prayers) now happy that her hair is growing again (said to be a good sign for chemotherapy patients) .... and .... being a true optimist .... Christine has a comb ready!

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America

Jesus, today, Wednesday, please bless the people of East Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 6th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hainan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 6th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liberia

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Al-Shabaab

Letters from (mainly African) inmates in Hong Kong prisons - and other drug trafficking items: 2016

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

HK readers might like to join me in praying each day for one group of HK prison inmates: Sun: Lo Wu Mon: C.I.C., Siu Lam, Tai Lam Tue: Stanley Wed: Hei Ling Chau Thu: Lantau Fri: Lai Chi Kok Sat: Hospitals, Pik Uk & other centres

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 are not recorded.
This site's February 2016 statistics
Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!

AITECE	* Cheap International Phone Calls *	China Library: Books The Cross	Previous weekly diary
Prisoners Oxfam FairTrade MSF Guardian ABC (Aust) School of Evangelization

`www.China8.org`	`www.DoctorJesus.org`	`www.JesusTower.com`
`www.OneMinuteEnglish.com`	`www.RicciCenter.com`	`www.SimpleBible.info`

Recent Hong Kong photos Previous China photos Ming Pao articles
	`Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡頌恆神父` Email: jdwomi@gmail.com Hong Kong mobile (852) 6709 5674 China mobile 13030213703 - out of action for the time being Mail address: PO Box 74013 Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon , Hong Kong