V2Catholic.com A voice for the
poor Edited
by HK prison chaplain
Fr John Wotherspoon
O.M.I . 胡頌恆神父
jdwomi@gmail.com
Links, Search
& Archives Imitating
Pope
Francis www.familyhk.org
This
website's anti-drug campaign saves people from going to prison in HK
See & share inmates'
letters! How campaign began
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JesusTower
GoodNewsForPoor
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Jesus FamilyHK
China8
Tues July 16
Yesterday morning I attended two cases at the High Court: that of
two young Malaysians on a drug trafficking charge (... case adjourned to give
authorities in Malaysia more time to carry out their investigations) and a man
from Brazil on a similar charge (acquitted by jury 5:2 late yesterday afternoon
... Thank you Jesus!)
Opposition slams
HK police tactics, mall operation ***
Police unions slam 'beasts' who are out of control
*** How
much longer will this madness continue before govt withdraws extradition bill?
Do people have to die?
384
kg of cocaine in excavator
Venezuela
ruled by "illegitimate, inefficient" regime - Vz archbishop
Pope's
letter to young people:
36. Certainly, as members of the Church, we should not stand apart from others.
All should regard us as friends and neighbours, like the apostles, who "enjoyed
the good will of all the people" (Acts 2:47). Yet at the
same time we must dare to be different,
to point to ideals other than those of this world, testifying to the beauty of
generosity, service, purity, perseverance, forgiveness, fidelity to our personal
vocation, prayer, the pursuit of justice and the common good, love for the poor,
and social friendship.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Ecclesiastes
4-5: So many things we do are motivated by
jealousy. Two people working together can
succeed.
One person alone is easily defeated.
It is better to be content with what you have,
than to be greedy for wealth.
Lord, please help me not to be
greedy
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
46: (c.f.
famous hymn by Martin Luther "A Mighty Fortress is our
God", and also the hymn "Be Still and Know that I am
God"):
God is for us a refuge and strength,
in time of distress he is a helper close at hand. Therefore we shall not fear even though the
earth should rock,
even though the mountains fall into the sea. The Lord of hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come and consider the works of the Lord
and always remember his words: "Be still and know that I am God".
Lord, help us to be more aware
of your presence,
especially when we are in trouble
Listen
Acts
27.9-20:
Navigation at that time of the year was
dangerous, since winter was starting. But the ship's captain set sail
hoping to reach Phoenix, a harbor in Crete. Suddenly a fierce storm began and the ship
could not be turned head-on to the wind. We had to let ourselves be driven
by the wind. The ship was badly damaged by the storm. On
the second day, the cargo was dumped overboard. For several days both sun stars were invisible
as the storm raged. We lost all
hope of surviving
Jesus, help sailors who are in danger
at sea today
Listen
John
1.1-14:
From all eternity the Word existed.
The Word was with God the Father.
The Word was God the Son. The Word was the source of life for all
creatures. The Word became a man, and lived among
us.
We saw his glory, full of grace and truth. Many people did not recognize and did not accept the
Word.
But to everyone who did accept him,
he gave power to become children of God
Jesus, please help me understand how you are
the Word-made-flesh
(Morrison Chapel, Macau Cemetery: "In the beginning was the Word")
----
Reflection on the above readings: God the Son shared our human nature ... so that we could share his Divine Nature
------------------------------
First reading ... "don't desire wealth" ... was
written by one of the world's wealthiest persons, King Solomon!
-------------------------------
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
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 16th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Qinghai
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 16th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Afghanistan
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon July 15
'110,000' join anti-extradition march in Sha Tin
*** Journalists march for press freedom
*** The spirit of rebellion spreads in Hong Kong
My warning to HK domestic helpers - published
here in HK Filipino media
R.I.P.
I knew him well when I worked on Lantau Island and often took
visitors to "The Big Buddha". He was a very kind and gracious man: HK
Buddhist leader Sik Chi Wai dies at 86
Dealers
making US$280 a day from selling heroin in South Africa
Heart
breaking story in English and Spanish from a Peru woman
in prison in HK for drug trafficking - here.
Same story in Spanish posted here
at No More Mules
China
spy ship of coast of Queensland
Pope's
letter to young people:
35. Let
us ask the Lord to free the Church from those who would make her grow old,
encase her in the past, hold her back or keep her at a standstill.
But let us also ask him to free her from another temptation: that of thinking
she is young because she accepts everything the world offers her, thinking that
she is renewed because she sets her message aside and acts like everybody else.
No! The Church is young when she is herself, when she receives ever anew
the strength born of God's word, the Eucharist, and the daily presence of Christ
and the power of his Spirit in our lives. The Church is young when she
shows herself capable of constantly returning to her source.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Ecclesiastes
3: There's a time and a season for
everything: A time for giving birth,
a time for dying. A time for tears and mourning,
a time for laughter and dancing. A time for embracing,
a time to refrain from embracing. A time for keeping silent,
a time for speaking.
Dear Lord, please help me to do
the right thing at the right time
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
42-45: Like a deer that longs for running streams,
so my soul is longing for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for you, the God of my
life.
I think of you all the time, here in my land of exile. People make fun of us here in exile.
They taunt us saying "Where is your God?" Yet no matter what happens we will hope in you,
for you are our saviour and our God. No
matter where we are or what happens to us,
our hearts will long for you, like a bride longing for her groom.
Lord, no matter what happens,
may I always hope in you
Listen
Acts
27.1-8: For the journey to Rome,
Paul and
some other prisoners were put in the custody of a soldier named Julius.
After sailing for one day, we arrived
at the city of Sidon, where Julius kindly allowed Paul to meet with some
friends. Then we sailed past Cyprus and reached
the city of Myra in Lycia, where we changed to a ship bound for Italy. The wind was against us near Crete.
We struggled along the coast to a place called Fair Havens
Jesus, help prison guards to
be kind like Julius
Listen
Luke
24.50-53: Jesus then took his disciples out of
Jerusalem to the village of Bethany.
Lifting up his hands, he blessed them.
As he blessed them, he was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him, then went back to
Jerusalem full of joy. They were continually in the Temple praising
God
Jesus, thank you for the Gospel of Luke.
Please increase my faith in you as the One who came down from heaven, and
went back to heaven
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Famous song
based on today's first reading: 
Turn,
Turn, Turn (The
Birds)
-------------------------
Mighty
win yesterday by my team The Brisbane Lions!
--------------------
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 prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On
this 15th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Liaoning
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 Zimbabwe
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun July 14
Today is Bastille
Day, France's National Day, commemorating the overthrow in 1789 of callous
rulers by hungry but fed up poor people. The day has a warning that has often
been carried out in China's history: ignore the needs of the people at your
peril. The warning applies right now to the government of HK.
Thousands take to the streets in Sheung Shui
Are artificial islands the answer to
HK's housing crisis?
Pope's
letter to young people:
34. Youth
is more than simply a period of time; it is a state of mind. That
is why an institution as ancient as the Church can experience renewal and a
return to youth at different points in her age-old history. Indeed, at the
most dramatic moments of her history, she feels called to return with all her
heart to her first love. In her, it is always possible to encounter Christ
"the companion and friend of youth"
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 15
Deuteronomy 29-30: Moses called the whole
of Israel together and said to them:
"Keep the words of this covenant and observe them
and you will thrive in all you do.
Let there be no man or woman among you,
no clan or tribe, whose heart turns away from the Lord your God
to go and serve the gods of the nations.
If ever you are scattered from the land God is giving you,
God will bring you back when your hearts turn back to him.
The Lord will circumcise your hearts
until you love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
This law I enjoin on you today is not beyond your strength
or beyond your reach.
It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder
'who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us
so that we may hear it and keep it?'
Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder
'who will cross the sea for us and bring it back to us,
so that we may hear it and keep it?'
No, the Word is very near to you.
It is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance.
Dear
Lord, please help more and more people
to choose life and blessings...and not to turn their backs on you
01
02
Psalms
66-68: O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shine its light upon us. Let all the peoples praise you, O God.
Let all the peoples praise you. O sing to the Lord, make music to his name.
Rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence. Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,
God provides a shelter for the homeless. God gives his people strength.
May all the peoples of the
earth know you and praise you, O God
Listen
Colossians
1.15-20:
Christ is the image of
the unseen God.
In him were created all things.
All things were created through him and for him. Before anything was
created, he existed.
He holds all things in unity. The Church is his body.
He is its head. God wants all things to
be reconciled through him
who brought peace by his death on the Cross.
Jesus, God the Son
become man, may our world
find reconciliation and peace in you
Listen
Luke
10.29-37: The religious leader then asked another
question: "Who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied "A man on a journey was
attacked by robbers. They beat him, took all he had, and left him
seriously injured. A priest came by and saw the man, but did not help
him. A temple worker also saw him, but did not help. But a lowly foreigner
who saw him was moved with pity. The foreigner bandaged his wounds, and used
his own donkey to take the man to an inn. He paid the innkeeper to look
after the man. Which of the three was a neighbor to the
injured man?" The leader replied "The one who
helped him". Jesus then said "Go, and do the same"
Jesus, please don't let me ignore people who
need help
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings:
One
minute sharing by Pope Francis ***
Michael
Sheen: Why I'm backing Cardiff's Homeless World Cup (Wikipedia: Homeless
World Cup)
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and
Spanish
Daniel Daring: On being neighbour (Chinese text)
-------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
I'd
like to recommend these sandwiches for price and taste - at 62 Shanghai St.
Jordan, not far from Kowloon Park:
------------------------------
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
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 14th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Ethiopia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat July 13
Yesterday, with the help of two kind friends who went to two
different courts to process bail papers, I was able to assist two men obtain
bail release from Lai Chi Kok prison. Before release, the two men were in the
Reception Office with another man also waiting bail release. The third guy
recognized me and I eventually recognized him: a former student of Wing Chor
Primary School on Lantau Island where I used to say Mass each week twenty years
ago!
A young Mainland mother and baby daughter - husband/father in Lai
Chi Kok prison - urgently need temporary accommodation, if possible not too far
from Lai Chi Kok. Please email me for more details: jdwomi@gmail.com
Letter in English to Editor of The Star
from a mother of 3 daughters praising the investigative report "The
Malaysian Drug Trade" and my campaign - here
Recommended by a reader in Australia: Natural and unnatural
Pope's
letter to young people:
32. On the other hand, Jesus
is risen, and he wants to make us sharers in the new life of the resurrection.
He is the true youthfulness of a world grown old, the youthfulness of a
universe waiting "in travail" (Rom 8:22) to be clothed
with his light and to live his life. With
him at our side, we can drink from the true wellspring that keeps alive all our
dreams, our projects, our great ideals, while impelling us to proclaim what
makes life truly worthwhile
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Ecclesiastes
1-2:
Everything is
temporary and passing.
What's the use of all our toil?
Our life is over in a few days.
What's the use of all our toil? The same fate awaits
both wise person and fool.
Death is always just around the corner.
Dear God, please
help me understand the meaning of life. Help me understand that there is life in heaven after life on earth
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
41: Blessed the person who helps the poor and the
weak.
He himself will be helped by the Lord when he is sick and in trouble. The Lord will help him on his bed of pain.
The Lord will bring him back from sickness to health.
Lord, please help me to do more
for the poor
Listen
Acts
24-25:
After two years, Felix was succeeded
by Festus.
Festus arranged a new trial for Paul. The religious leaders repeated their
accusations. Paul repeated his innocence. Festus wanted to gain favor with the
leaders so he said to Paul
"Are you willing to go to Jerusalem for a trial with the full council
of religious leaders, at which I would preside?" Paul knew his rights, and stood his
ground, not wanting to go to a kangaroo court in Jerusalem. So he invoked
his right as a Roman citizen: "I appeal to Caesar". Festus replied "You have
appealed to Caesar;
to Caesar (Rome) you shall go".
Jesus, please give us courage
to stand up for our rights
Listen
Luke
24.36-49: The disciples were still talking about what
had happened when suddenly Jesus himself stood among them. At first they
were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said "Look at my hands and feet.
Yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves. A ghost has no flesh
and bones as you can see I have". Their fear turned to joy but they still
couldn't believe what they were seeing. So he asked them for something to
eat, and they gave him some grilled fish which he ate in front of them. Then he opened their minds to understand the
Scriptures, and he said "So you see how it is written that the Christ
would suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. And that in his
name repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the
nations. Soon I will send down to you what the Father
promised (the Holy Spirit). Stay in Jerusalem until you are clothed
with this power from on high"
Jesus, increase my faith in your
resurrection, and open my mind to understand the Bible better
01
02
Reflection on the above readings: The apostles gave Jesus something to eat, then Jesus gave them food for thought
---------------------------
US
Coast Guard crewman leaps aboard narco sub! (.. on the high
seas?)
------------------------------
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 prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 13th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Mali
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri July 12
I spent most of yesterday at Lai Chi Kok men's prison and many
follow-up jobs to do include processing two bail applications at two different
courts today, with the help of two kind friends. Not forgetting good news: no
new male drug mules from Africa or South America or Malaysia arrested at HK
airport for the past two months. Thank you Jesus!
Extradition: Protest marches July 13-14
Envoys condemn China's treatment of Uighurs
*** Satellite
images expose network of re-education camps
Latest reports from
O.M.I. intercapitular meeting in Poland
Pope's
letter to young people:
31. Jesus does not teach you, young people,
from afar or from without, but from within your very youth, a youth he shares
with you. It is very important for you to contemplate the young Jesus as
presented in the Gospels, for he was truly one of you, and shares many of the
features of your young hearts. We see this for example in the following:
"Jesus had unconditional trust in the Father; he maintained friendship with
his disciples, and even in moments of crisis he remained faithful to them.
He showed profound compassion for the
weakest, especially the poor, the sick, sinners and the excluded. He had
the courage to confront the religious and political authorities of his time; he
knew what it was to feel misunderstood and rejected; he experienced the fear of
suffering and he knew the frailty of the Passion. He turned his gaze to
the future, entrusting himself into the Father's safe hands in the strength of
the Spirit. In Jesus, all the young can see themselves"
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Proverbs 30-31: Every word of God is true and of great value.
Do not change or misinterpret God's words. Do not give way to sexual excess.
Do not give way to drunkenness. Be the voice of the poor, the
unwanted.
Uphold the rights of the needy. Happy the man who finds a good wife.
She is far beyond the price of pearls. She looks after her household with care.
She works diligently for her family. She holds out her hand to the poor.
She opens her arms to the needy. Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty.
The woman who is wise is the one to praise.
Lord, thank you for all the
wisdom in the Book of Proverbs!
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
40: I waited, I waited for the Lord and he
stooped down to me.
He heard my cry. He saved me from distress.
He put fresh hope into my heart. How many, O Lord my God, are the times you
have helped me.
They are too many for me to describe. My God, in the depth of my heart I delight in
your law.
You do not want external offerings.
You want my heart.
Lord, I offer you my heart, my
love. You deserve all my love
Listen
Acts 24.1-26:
When the religious leaders arrived,
they put their case to Felix.
They summed up their accusations by saying "The plain truth is that
we find this man to be a perfect pest.
He stirs up trouble among Jews everywhere, and is a ringleader of the
Nazarene sect". Paul replied "In regard to the
Way, which they malign as a sect,
I serve and worship the very same God worshipped by our ancestors. I live
in hope that God will raise the dead. If that's my crime, my accusers are
just as guilty as I am". Felix postponed a decision. He met
with Paul many times, hoping Paul would offer him a
bribe
Jesus, please help judges to avoid
bribery
Listen
Luke
24.13-35: That same day, two of Jesus' disciples were
on their way from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus, about 7 km from
Jerusalem. As they talked about all that had happened,
Jesus himself joined them as they walked along. But they did not recognize
him. When Jesus asked them what they were talking
about, they said "About Jesus of Nazareth, and how our
leaders had him crucified. And how some women in our group went to Jesus'
tomb and were told by angels that he was alive". Jesus then explained the Scripture passages
which predicted his suffering and resurrection. Jesus joined the two men for an evening meal.
During the meal,
he blessed some bread and gave it to them. They then
recognized him. But he immediately vanished from their sight. They said to each other "Did not our
hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the
Scriptures to us?" Straight away they returned to Jerusalem where
the eleven apostles said to them "Yes, it is true. The Lord has
risen". Then they told their story of what had
happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus at the
breaking of bread
Jesus, please make my heart burn within me as
I read the Bible
01
02
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Physical "heart burn" is an illness, but spiritual "heart burn" as in today's Gospel is a blessing!
-------------------------
At Lai Chi Kok men's prison yesterday I noticed at one
stage that a J.P. visit was immanent ... because the men playing
volleyball and basketball were wearing singlets .... normally no singlets ...
they dress up for J.P. visits!
-------------------------
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
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, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu July 11
Most of yesterday was spent at my desk, apart from a trip to nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital to apply for the medical record of a prisoner who needs it for when they return to their own country. God bless the kind and friendly staff at QEH!
Extradition: Amnesty for law breakers not new *** When the history of HK is written, this man will be praised for his outstanding defence of basic freedoms in HK: Media tycoon Jimmy Lai meets Mike Pence and Pompeo to discuss extradition bill
Lawyers stand silent for "709" crackdown vigil
Pope's
letter to young people:
30. These aspects of Jesus' life can prove inspiring for all
those young people who are developing and preparing to take up their mission in
life. This involves growing in a relationship with the Father, in
awareness of being part of a family and a people, and in openness to being
filled with the Holy Spirit and led to carry out the mission God gives them,
their personal vocation. None of this should be overlooked in pastoral
work with young people, lest we create projects that isolate young people from
their family and the larger community, or turn them into a select few, protected
from all contamination. Rather, we
need projects that can strengthen them, accompany them and empower them to
encounter others, to engage in generous service, in mission.
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Proverbs 27-29: Do not boast about tomorrow,
since you do not know what will happen today. Let others praise you,
but do not praise yourself. Better open reproof
than voiceless love. From one who loves, wounds are
well-intentioned.
From one who hates, kisses are ominous. He who admits his faults will prosper.
He who confesses and renounces his faults will find mercy. A roaring lion, a hungry bear,
such is a bad ruler of a poor people.
Lord, please help me practise
the ideas in these words
Recording
Psalms 38-39: O Lord, please forgive my sins and heal me.
Heal my body which is sick because of my sins. Protect me, Lord, from those who gloat over me
now that I am brought low and unable to help myself. Lord, you have shown me how short a time I
have on earth.
Lord, give me wisdom of heart to live my life better.
Lord, help us understand the
meaning of life
Recording
Acts 23.12-22:
The next day about 40 Jews held a meeting. They decided not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. They
asked the religious leaders to arrange another meeting so that they could
attack Paul. But the son of Paul's sister heard of the
plot. He got into the barracks and told Paul. Paul got the boy to tell the
captain. The captain immediately arranged for a large group of soldiers to
take Paul to Caesarea to be tried by Felix the governor. Felix said "I will wait till your
accusers come here too, then I will hear your case"
Jesus, please help people who are in danger of
being murdered
Listen
Luke
24.1-11: On Sunday morning, at daybreak, the women
went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the
large stone which had been put at the tomb's entrance had been rolled away.
They entered the tomb and found that the body
of Jesus was not there. Suddenly two men in brilliant clothes appeared at
their side. The men said to them "Why look among the
dead for someone who is alive? He is not here. He has risen, just as he
said he would". The women told all this to the eleven
apostles. But the apostles did not believe them
Jesus, increase my faith in your
resurrection
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Sometimes people work behind the scenes, unbeknown to us, to help us ... just as lawyers and others often do work for defendants without the defendants awareness that someone is trying to help them. And the Number One Behind The Scenes Person is the one who rolls away stones which we thought were immovable
---------------
For
the past couple of months the 3rd Bible reading for this blog has been from
Acts, written by Luke .... and the 4th reading has been from the Gospel of Luke.
I'm wondering which book will finish first ... should be the Gospel which has
only 24 chapters compared with the 28 of Acts .... but in today's world many
"should be's" are not accurate! One thing for sure: Luke will get the
quinella!
--------------------
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 prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 11th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of
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, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
-----------------------------
----------------------------
Wed July 10
Yesterday morning I was at the High Court for the appeal
application of a woman from Malaysia. Kind judge gave her an extension of time
to prepare her appeal. I now finally understand the difference between an appeal
and an application for an appeal!
Extradition: HK pop star urges UN rights body to suspend China *** Pompeo meets Apple Daily chief Lai *** Baptist U chief calls for talks with youngsters *** Swedish court rejects China extradition request
New
trick: passengers on cruise ship carry drugs ***
Cocaine
bricks on Philippines shores
Oblates
celebrate 125 years in Australia
Pope's
letter to young people:
28. In his adolescence and
youth, Jesus' relationship with the Father was that of the beloved Son.
Drawn to the Father, he grew up concerned for his affairs: "Did you not
know that I must be about my Father's business?" (Lk 2:49).
Still, it must not be thought that Jesus was a withdrawn adolescent or a
self-absorbed youth. His relationships
were those of a young person who shared fully in the life of his family and his
people. He learned his father's trade and then replaced him as a
carpenter. At one point in the Gospel he is called "the carpenter's
son" (Mt 13:55) and another time simply "the
carpenter" (Mk 6:3). This detail shows that he was just
another young person of his town, who related normally to others. No one
regarded him as unusual or set apart from others. For this very reason,
once Jesus began to preach, people could not imagine where he got this wisdom:
"Is this not Joseph's son?" (Lk 4:22).
------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
In the shadow of prophcy
We need to respond to changing circumstances or we will find ourselves talking
in an empty room
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Proverbs 25-26: Cloud and wind, but no rain.
Such is the person who makes a lot of promises
but doesn't keep them. Don't over-tax your neighbor's hospitality. If people who don't like you are hungry or
thirsty,
give them something to eat or drink.
In this way you will shame them into being better people. Rain comes by the north wind.
A ravaged face comes from a backbiting tongue. An open town, without
defences.
Such is a person lacking self-control. As a dog returns to its vomit
so foolish people return to their folly. Interfering in the quarrels of other people
is like catching a stray dog by the tail. No wood, and the fire goes out.
No talebearer, and quarrelling dies down.
Lord, please stop me from
being critical of other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
35-37: O Lord, please save me from people who slander
me,
you who rescue the weak from the strong, you whose love is so precious,
you in whose light we see light. We believe that if we find our delight in you,
you will grant our heart's desire. And so we commit our lives to you,
confident you will help us in time of trouble.
Lord, please deepen our trust
in you,
especially in time of trouble
Listen
Acts
22-23: To find out why the Jews were attacking Paul,
the captain arranged a meeting of the religious leaders, and allowed Paul
to speak to them. Paul realized that the leaders had two groups:
Sadducees (who didn't believe in angels or an after-life) and Pharisees
(who did believe in angels and an after-life). So Paul called out "I am a Pharisee. It
is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial".
This caused the Pharisees and Sadducees to begin a violent argument that
put Paul's life in danger. The captain ordered Paul to be taken back into
the barracks. The next night, the Lord appeared to him and said
"Courage! You have born witness for me in Jerusalem. Now you must do
the same in Rome"
Jesus, please give courage to Christians who live in
dangerous places
Listen
Luke
23.50-56: Joseph from the town of Arimathaea was a
member of the religious leaders' council. He was a good and just man, and
had not agreed to the killing of Jesus. Late Friday afternoon, he went to Governor
Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He took it down from the cross,
wrapped it in a burial cloth, and put it in a rock tomb that had not yet
been used. The women from Galilee who had come to
Jerusalem with Jesus went with Joseph to the tomb. Then they left to
prepare burial spices and ointments. They planned to put these on Jesus'
body after the Saturday Sabbath day of rest
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal life to
all the dead
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Missing in action from the Gospel scene - 11 apostles. They in fact had missed the death of their Master .... this must have been a humbling thought that stayed with them for the rest of their lives.
---------------------------
Yesterday afternoon I queued for more than half an hour at
a local bank, to send a bank transfer to South America to the needy family of a
prisoner in HK. Money had been handed out to me at prisoner's prison ....
prisoner wanting to help family who are in very poor situation. I had country of
bank, name of bank, name of account, number of account .... but one item was
missing: the bank's address! So I've sent message to the family and will again
line up when address comes.
-------------------------
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
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, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
----------------------
My Africa trips:
2015: Tanzania, Malawi
2016:
Kenya, Uganda
2017:
Southern Africa, Dubai (
The
Last Run)
2018:
My trip to Latin America
2018: My trip to Thailand and Cambodia
March 18, 2018: South China Morning Post report on my work
Dec 2018 - Jan 2019 trip to Malaysia
June 2019: my anti-drug campaign featured in The Malaysia Drug Trade
--------------------
Australian Chinese for
Families Association
Gay marriage: an elephant in the room (by John W)
Video:
What "gay
marriage" did to Massachusetts
同志婚姻自2004年立法後，美國麻省的改變
（ 廣東話附字幕版）
Frightening
YouTube reports:
LGBT radical impact
on educational institutions (No.
5); LGBT
infiltrating churches
(No. 6); US corporations massively
supporting LGBT agenda (No. 7). What
has happened in the US is now starting to happen in other places. Some
day our children will ask "why didn't you do more to stop this evil?"
--------------------------------------------
Pope's surprise visit to drug treatment centre
Pope is practising what he preaches: "get out and mix with the poor"
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
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Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile +852- 67095674
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