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
HK
Indon
Kenya
Malaysia 
Nigeria 
Ph 
SA 
S.Amer
Thai 
Tz 
Ug 
EU
HK:how
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AsylumSeekerHK
Name
& shame
JesusTower
GoodNewsForPoor
Dr
Jesus FamilyHK
China8
Tues Aug 20
Words about peace, especially at end of this
report, are very moving: 'Peace' the protest mantra of the day
*** Carrie Lam should seize this
moment *** HK's
ultra-rich lose patience with protesters as their profits dive (correction:
one photo caption says "millions of people marched on weekend". But
even the organisers said only (?) 1.7 million ... and .... such figures suffer
from great inflation - see June
4 - 180,000?) *** Fake
Chinese police cars in Perth & Adelaide!
Great photo of protest gathering Aug 18:
Australian
Federal Police admit role in Queensland woman going to prison for 6 years in
Cambodia
Pope's
letter to young people:
88. Digital media can expose people to the
risk of addiction, isolation and gradual loss of contact with concrete reality,
blocking the development of authentic interpersonal relationships. New forms of
violence are spreading through social media, for example cyber-bullying. The
internet is also a channel for spreading pornography and the exploitation of
persons for sexual purposes or through gambling
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Sirach
38-39: All healing is a gift of God.
To obtain healing: pray to the Lord, ask forgiveness for sin,
then follow the doctor's advice. Mourn for the dead and honor their
graves,
but do not let your heart be controlled by grief. Ordinary working people have little time for
study.
But the Lord blesses everyone who studies wisdom.
Lord, please heal my friend
(..name..) who is sick
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
95: Come ring out our joy to the Lord.
Hail the rock who saves us. Let us come before him giving thanks.
With songs let us praise the Lord.
A mighty God is the Lord,
a great king above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth.
The heights of the mountains are his. To him belongs the sea, for he made it,
and the dry land shaped by his hands. Come in, let us bow and bend low.
Let us kneel before the God who made us.
For he is our God and we are the people who belong to his pasture.
Lord, you are our Creator. Our
life comes from you. We praise and love you, Lord
Listen
Romans
12.9-13:
Do not let your love be superficial, but
sincerely prefer good to evil.
Have a family love for each other, and a profound respect for each
other. Persevere in your love for the Lord and your
service of the Lord.
Hope will make you cheerful. Do not give up when trials
come. Keep on
praying.
Help people who are in need. Make hospitality your special care
Jesus, please help me grow in love. Help me
love you and other people a bit better
Listen
John
8.1-11:
While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, the
religious leaders brought to him a women who had been caught committing
adultery. The leaders said to Jesus "According to
the Law of Moses, this woman should be stoned to death. What do you
say?" They said this to test him, looking for something
to use against him. Jesus bent down and started writing on the
ground with his finger. Since they kept up their questioning, he looked up
and said to them "If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him
be the first to cast a stone". Then he kept writing on the ground. The leaders went away, beginning with the
eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman. Jesus said to her
"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? "No one, sir", she replied.
"Neither do I condemn you", said Jesus. "Go and don't sin
any more"
Jesus, what did you write on the ground? The
leaders' sins?
"If you, O Lord, should write a record of our sins, who could
claim innocence?"
(Psalm 130)
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: The woman caught in adultery
------------------------------
Yesterday in the lift when I was leaving the High Court, I
met an English barrister ...so I mentioned the word "cricket" (England
currently playing Australia in England) and he said was at Lord's (world's most
famous cricket ground) last Saturday for the most recent game!
-------------------------------
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 20th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Gambia
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Aug 19
A long but happy day for me yesterday: both morning Masses at Yau Ma Tei, then Yum Cha with loyal friends of the parish - the Chan Family, then visit to my home by three O.M.I. friends from Australia - Rosemary (Perth), Diane and Ken (Moe) ... who then were volunteer visitors at the gathering for the poor, followed by a canteen meal. Photos here
Yesterday was a very wet day, yet tens (hundreds?) of thousands of ordinary people braved the weather for a peaceful gathering and march to keep on asking the government to formally revoke the extradition amendment etc. Huge crowds clog roads from Central to North Point *** HKFP
Concern
about Beijing influence at Australian universities
Most interesting article about Godparents!
Pope's
letter to young people:
88. Yet to understand the web and social media, we need to realize that like
every human reality they have their share of limitations and deficiencies. It is
not healthy to confuse communication with mere virtual contact. Indeed, the
digital environment is also one of loneliness, manipulation, exploitation and
violence, up to the extreme case of the "dark web".
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Sirach
35-37: Be generous as the Lord has been generous to
you.
Be cheerful when you make a gift to the Lord. The humble person's prayer pierces the
clouds,
so love the Lord with a humble heart. If a property has no fence, it will be
plundered.
If a man has no wife, he is like a boat without an anchor. Be careful when you consult other people.
After all consultation, follow the advice of your own heart.
Lord, please give me a cheerful
and humble heart
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
94: O Lord, Judge of the earth,
how long will the wicked crush the poor? The wicked say "God does not hear".
But can he who made the ear, not hear? Blessed are those whom the Lord teaches.
The Lord gives them peace in troubled times. When cares increase in my heart,
God's consolation calms my soul.
Lord, when cares and troubles
increase, please help us to trust in you.
Listen
Romans
12.1-2: I beg you, trust in God's mercy, and worship
him in a spiritual way, not just in an external way. Offer your whole life to him as a holy
sacrifice. Do not blindly follow the fashions of the
world. Instead, let your behavior change, fashioned by your enlightened
mind. This is the way to discover the will of God,
the way to know what God wants us to do.
Jesus,
help me give more time to things
that are important, less time to things not so important
Listen
John
7.32-46: The religious leaders sent the Temple police
to arrest Jesus. When the police returned to the leaders
without Jesus,
the leaders asked "Why didn't you arrest him?" The police replied
"There has never been anyone who has spoken like him"
Jesus, in the history of the world, there has
never been anyone who has spoken about goodness and truth like you
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: The greatest words ever spoken were spoken by the Greatest Person who ever walked this earth
-------------------------
HK internet battle goes to a new level – literally
--------------------
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 19th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanxi
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sudan
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Aug 18
Moving
letter from a Kenyan woman in prison in HK
after a Nigerian forced drugs into her body in Addis Ababa - here
(Aug 12)
The wisdom of Lions' coach Chris Fagan: "You
can be having a bad day and still try to do something useful" (in
this interview after Lions won
by one point yesterday)
Pope's
letter to young people:
86. The digital environment is characteristic of the contemporary
world. It is no longer merely a question of "using" instruments of
communication, but of living in a highly digitalized culture that has had a
profound impact on ideas of time and space, on our self-understanding, our
understanding of others and the world, and our ability to communicate, learn, be
informed and enter into relationship with others. An
approach to reality that privileges images over listening and reading has
influenced the way people learn and the development of their critical sense
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 20
Jeremiah 37-45: Jeremiah was arrested and put into a muddy well to
die.
But a good official persuaded the king to free Jeremiah. When the Chaldaeans captured Jerusalem,
they sent many people to Babylon as exiles. Jeremiah was spared from exile
and he kept trying to get the people to accept defeat as God had told them.
But most of the people would not listen to Jeremiah,
even though all his prophecies about defeat had come true. God protected the good officials who had helped Jeremiah.
Lord, please help government
leaders be good,
like the good officials who helped Jeremiah.
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
Hebrews
11-12: Only faith can keep us going. Only faith
helped Abraham and other famous people in the Scriptures to keep going. So many of them were weak people who were
given strength by God, to be brave when life became difficult. With so many witnesses in a great cloud all
around us, we too should keep running in the race we have started. We
should get rid of everything that slows us down. Keep focusing on Jesus. He is running beside
us. His example going to the cross gives us courage. Try to live at peace with everyone. Don't let
any seed of bitterness begin to grown and make trouble. This can poison a
whole community
Jesus, help me remember your presence
in my heart
Listen
Luke 12.49-53:
Reflection on the above readings: Only once in the Gospels did Jesus become violent - when he drove the merchants out of the Temple. He also got angry at the religious leaders ... and at a few devils. But he was a person of peace, who told Peter to put down his sword, who taught his followers to forgive and make peace with others. So, today's Gospel needs to be understood very carefully. "Division" here means a situation where following Jesus' teaching causes conflict with others - e.g. if my group of friends wants to start using drugs or start stealing or doing some other wrong thing, being a Christian means I need to stop being part of the group = conflict. But for most people this is not a common thing.
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and
Spanish
Daniel Daring: Fix your eyes on Jesus (Chinese text)
-------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
Headline
in Geelong Advertiser (Australia): HK
economy on brink of collapse (Fake news???)
------------------------------
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 18th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shandong
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 18th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Ivory Coast
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Aug 17
Over the past two weeks a number of people have commented to me
about the absence of police on the streets of Jordan and Yau Ma Tei ....
no ID checks, no patrols etc. And in another development, secondary
students will be holding strikes from the start of the new academic year on Sep
2
This is a must read
article:
Who needs the law when Hong Kong authorities no longer follow
it?
The
plight of South African women in drug trafficking
Beijing
fights with what could become Germany's next ruling party
ABC
Australia: Beijing
uses nationalist rage to deal with HK ***
Clashes
at Melb & Adelaide rallies *** HK
another Tiananmen?
Pope's
letter to young people:
84. In young people we can see a
desire for God, albeit still vague and far from knowledge of the God of
revelation and we can see an ideal of human fraternity. Many have a genuine
desire to develop their talents in order to offer something to our world. In
some we see a special artistic sensitivity, or a yearning for harmony with
nature. In others, perhaps, a great need to communicate. In many of them
we encounter a deep desire to live life differently. In all of this, we
can find real starting points, inner resources open
to a word of incentive, wisdom and encouragement.
Chris McDonnell
The
loss of Liberty
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Sirach
32-34: If you are chosen for an important job,
don't let it go to your head. When you speak, keep to the point.
Say much in a few words. Reflect before you act.
Look before you leap. Travel broadens the mind.
Ask God's protection when you travel.
Lord, please bless everyone who
is travelling today
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
94: O Lord, Judge of the earth,
how long will the wicked crush the poor? The wicked say "God does not hear".
But can he who made the ear, not hear? Blessed are those whom the Lord teaches.
The Lord gives them peace in troubled times. When cares increase in my heart,
God's consolation calms my soul.
Lord, when cares and troubles
increase, please help us to trust in you.
Listen
Romans
10-11:
If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord, and
if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you
will be saved. How wonderful is God! How great his
wisdom and knowledge.
What finite creature could ever understand the mind of our infinite
Creator? All that exists comes from
him. To him be
glory for ever!
Jesus, Father, Spirit - three persons, one God - to you be glory for ever!
Listen
John
7.37-39: During the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem,
Jesus called out loudly in the Temple "If anyone is thirsty,
come to me.
Anyone who believes in me, come and drink!" As Scripture says "From his heart will
flow fountains of living water". Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit, which
people who believed in him were to receive. The Spirit had not yet been
given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified
Holy Spirit, flowing from the heart of Jesus,
please increase your influence in my life
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Romans' words about "confess" and "believe" are fundamentally important. But it is not correct to say "you will only get to Heaven if you believe and confess". We might well find that the majority of people in Heaven never knew much about Jesus and his Resurrection ... but they lived lives of compassion (Mt. 25.40).
---------------------------
Yesterday afternoon on way to High Court for meeting with
legal team to prepare for a case on Monday, I saw thousands of women and girls
in white tops taking part in a march, carrying flags of China and HK. Not sure
what their political stance is, maybe a women's protest against male domination
of society?
------------------------------
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 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Malawi
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Aug 16
Police tear-gas Hungry Ghost protesters
*** Govt unveils HK$19bn package to 'help economy'
*** Sweeteners 'no solution to society's ills'
Satellite photos show Chinese armoured vehicles on
HK border *** Trump tells Beijing to treat
HK humanely or risk trade deal (... Trump now being regarded most favourably
by HK people!) *** Tiananmen-style
crackdown on HK would be catastrophic for China ***
HK
govt spurned opportunity to listen to public opinion (a V.I.P.
article ... has lesson for all organizations ...)
Moving
reflection by a Malaysian man on death row in Singapore
In
2017 I met a woman in prison who had been given drugs to bring to HK in the
Sao Jorge Hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Which is why when I was in Sao
Paulo in January 2018 I stayed at the Sao Jorge ... to try to get information to
help the women. A few months ago, and again yesterday, I met other women who
also were given their drugs in the Sao Jorge. Difficult to avoid suspicion that
hotel manger/owner is in partnership with the Nigerians who booked rooms for the
3 women concerned. My
Jan 2018 photos of the hotel.
Pope's
letter to young people:
78. It is true that people in power offer
some assistance, but often it comes at a high price. In many poor countries,
economic aid provided by some richer countries or international agencies is
usually tied to the acceptance of Western views of sexuality, marriage, life or
social justice. This ideological colonization is especially harmful to the
young. We also see how a certain kind of
advertising teaches young people to be perpetually dissatisfied and contributes
to the throwaway culture, in which young people themselves end up being
discarded.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Sirach 29-31: Help others in their time of need.
When people ask you for help, do not turn them away. Do not let your children grow up wild.
Teach them self control and self-discipline from their earliest years. Good health is better than silver and gold.
Better to be poor and healthy than rich and sick. Do not give in to brooding and fretting when
things go wrong.
Even in the saddest situation, look for light at the end of the tunnel. Avoid jealously and anger.
Jealously and anger will shorten your life. A moderate diet will help you sleep well.
Gluttony produces sleeplessness, biliousness and grumpiness. Wine was made to cheer our hearts.
But drinking to excess will reduce your strength.
Lord, please help me be
moderate with food and drink
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
93: The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed,
he has girded himself with power. The world you made firm, not to be moved.
From all eternity, O Lord, you are. The oceans and coastlines of the world
are majestic and powerful. But greater than the roar of mighty waters,
more glorious than the surging of the sea
is the Lord on high.
Such a Lord, such a Creator, such a God.
Truly your decrees are to be trusted.
Holiness is fitting to your house
O Lord, always and everywhere.
We praise you, Lord, our
Creator
Listen
Romans 10.1-4:
I have a really great love for the Jews. I
pray to God for them to be saved.
They have a strong belief in God, but their zeal is misguided.
They can't see that friendship with God is a gift from God,
not just a matter of external practices
Jesus, some people have mixed up ideas about
religion
(.. Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses).
Help them know the truth as you revealed it
Listen
John
7.1-13: Jesus now stayed in Galilee.
He could not
stay in Judea because the religious leaders wanted to kill him. Not even his brothers believed in him.
In Jerusalem, no one spoke about him openly,
for fear of the religious leaders
Jesus, people were scared to talk about you,
your brothers didn't believe in you, and the leaders wanted to kill you.
How small my problems are compared with yours
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: How good and practical is the advice in today's first reading!
-------------------------
Teacher to small HK student: What would you like to be when
you grow up?
Small student: I want to be a protester
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Aug 15
Feast
of The Assumption
My August 15 Reflection: In our spiritual DNA, there's something about Mary that moves our hearts on August 15. May this reflection be an encouragement to people who might be influenced to doubt the beautiful importance of Mary in God's plan and in our lives
Trump
claims China moving troops close to HK border
.... maybe they can stop those protesters who act like Vandals and hurt so many
people. I support some of the protesters' aims but I condemn any of their
methods which vandalise HK and inflict suffering on
ordinary people.
Special
announcement from HK Diocese: PRAY
FOR HK
Australia
must watch HK events closely
Yesterday
I was at the High Court in connection with several cases ... and I heard more
than one lawyer express concern about the future of the Rule of Law in HK
Pope's
letter to young people:
77. At times, the hurt felt by some young
people is heartrending, a pain too deep for words. They can only tell God
how much they are suffering, and how hard it is for them to keep going, since
they no longer believe in anyone. Yet in that sorrowful plea, the words
of Jesus make themselves heard: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they
shall be comforted". Some young men and women are able to move
forward because they hear that divine promise. May all young people who are
suffering feel the closeness of a Christian community that can reflect those
words by its actions, its embrace and its concrete help.
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
c.f. readings for Assumption
Revelation
12: The sanctuary of God in heaven opened and the ark of the
covenant could be seen inside it. Then came flashes of lightning, peals of
thunder and an earthquake, and violent hail. Now a great sign appeared in
heaven: a woman
adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with twelve stars on her head
for a crown
My
recording of this reading
Mary
of Guadalupe
Many people see in this picture the Woman of
today's first reading: dressed in the sun, standing on the moon, crowned with
stars
Psalm
44: The daughters of kings are among your loved ones. On
your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir. Listen, O
daughter, give ear to my words: forget your own people and your father's
house. So will the king desire your beauty: He is your lord, pay homage
to him. They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace
of the king
Recording
1
Corinthians 15:
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all
who have fallen asleep. Death came through one man and in the same way the
resurrection of the dead has come through one man. Just
as all people die in Adam, so all people will be brought to life in Christ;
but all of them in their proper order: Christ as the first-fruits and then,
after the coming of Christ, those who belong to him. After that will come the
end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, having done away with
every sovereignty, authority and power. For he must be king until he has put all
his enemies under his feet and the last of the enemies to be destroyed is death,
for everything is to be put under his feet.
Recording
Luke
1: Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the
hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.
Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb
and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said,
"Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For
the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.
Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would
be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of
the Lord, and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon
his lowly handmaid. Yes,
from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty
has done great things for me"
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
The spirituality of Mary invites us to the values of Catholic Social Teaching: concern for the poor, solidarity with all people, a preference for the ways of nonviolence rather than military might, forgiveness and reconciliation rather than domination and manipulation.
---------------
? 
Some time ago I was happy to hear from a local community
organiser that local govt has agreed to my suggestion for more safety rails on
the stretch of footpath on Jordan Road near Jordan MTR Exit A ....but since the
Vandals have been operating even the former safety rails have disappeared ...
making life dangerous for pedestrians
--------------------
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 15th 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Aug 14
Beijing is not allowing Carrie Lam to withdraw the ammendment - this is how many
local people understand her refusal to answer the question in
this English interview. Her hands are tied. May
the Lord untie them!
I spent a long afternoon yesterday at
Pik Uk prison for young men .... saddened to meet some new arrivals from
Malaysia. Anti-drug campaign in Malaysia needs to keep going ... one problem
being a lack of security of Kuala Lumpur No. 2 airport.
Australian travellers stranded after
HK protests
Pope's
letter to young people:
76. Perhaps those of us who have a
reasonably comfortable life don't know how to weep. Some realities in life are
only seen with eyes cleansed by tears. I would like each of you to ask yourself
this question: Can I weep? Can I
weep when I see a child who is starving, on drugs or on the street, homeless,
abandoned, mistreated or exploited as a slave by society? Or is my weeping only
the self-centred whining of those who cry because they want something else?
------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
Prayer of
the people
Prayer is about a relationship with God we carry with us wherever we find
ourselves
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Sirach 25-28: Happy the husband of a really good wife.
A good wife is the joy of her husband. Do not praise a person before they have
spoken.
A person's speech reveals what sort of person is speaking. Among stupid people look for an opportunity to
leave,
but among thoughtful people take your time. Sarcasm and abuse are the mark of an arrogant
person.
Resentment and anger are bad for everyone. Forgive others if they have offended you.
Then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Avoid quarrelling and losing your temper.
Do not let your mouth speak scandal.
Lord, please give me the wisdom
to control my speech
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
92: It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning,
and your truth right through the night. Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad.
For the work of your hands, I shout with joy. To me you give the wild ox's strength.
You anoint me with the purest oil. May we love and praise you right through our
lives,
right till the end of our days. May we keep on proclaiming your goodness,
proclaiming that in you, our rock, there is only goodness.
Lord, it is right and fitting
to love and praise you
Listen
Romans
9.1-5: There is a great sorrow in my heart. It's
with me day and night.
It's the situation of the Jewish people, how they
will not accept the Anointed One. I am willing to do anything to help them
accept Jesus. I am willing to undergo the greatest suffering if that would
help them believe. They are my nation, my family. They have been so blessed by God.
From their flesh and blood came Christ, who is God
Jesus, God-made-flesh, I pray with Paul that
the Jewish people will believe in you
Listen
John
6.59-69: After hearing what Jesus said about his flesh
and blood, many of his disciples said "How can anyone believe in such
crazy ideas?" Many disciples then stopped following Jesus. Jesus said to the 12 apostles "What about
you? Are you also going to leave me?"
Peter replied "Lord, who shall we go to?
You have the message of eternal life. We believe you are the Holy One of
God"
Jesus, please don't ever let me stop following
you
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: To every Christian Jesus asks the same question: "What about you? Are you also going to leave me?" To which may we reply with Peter "Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life. We believe you are the Holy One of God"
---------------------------
Man's false teeth found in his voicebox
-------------------------
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 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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Aug 13
Last
night as I left an O.M.I. meeting in Tai Wai for the trip home to Jordan, my
heart was sad at the news that HK airport
had shut down as protesters took over. I felt really sorry for all the
people whose travel plans had been wrecked by the shut down. I support the need
for HK govt leaders to officially withdraw the extradition amendments and then
set up a Reconciliation Commission to heal and prevent conflict ... but I
strongly oppose protesters hurting other people in their war against the
government. May the Good Lord quickly bring both sides to the negotiating table
... for the sake of HK.
But as I walked from Yau Ma Tei MTR station to my home in Jordan I saw a sight that made me completely forget the airport: 20 homeless people with sad faces in a huddle behind the Kowloon Central Post Office. Usually on Monday night a kind couple in a white van bring them meals around 7pm. But it was past 8pm and no meals. And apparently no meals last Monday either ... possibly the protests a cause ... many canteens shut. So I took them to a nearby food place ... after a detour to use my EPS card ... and gave them all a meal. Homelessness a growing problem in HK ... as in many places. One of many growing social problems the HK govt is neglecting to address. ... while it fails not to kowtow to the world of big business. No wonder there are protests.
Warning
from Australian women tricked by Nigerian lovers to be drug mules
Pope's
letter to young people:
75. We weep
when we think of all those young people who have already lost their lives due to
poverty and violence, and we ask society to learn to be a caring mother.
None of this pain goes away; it stays with us, because the harsh reality can no
longer be concealed. The worst thing we can do is adopt that worldly
spirit whose solution is simply to anesthetize young people with other messages,
with other distractions, with trivial pursuits.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Sirach
24: Wisdom speaks:
"From eternity, in the beginning, God created me.
God sent me to be everywhere on earth. Approach me, you who desire me.
Whoever listens to me will stay on the road of goodness."
Lord, please help me seek
wisdom and listen to wisdom's voice
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
91: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
says to the Lord "you are my refuge in whom I trust". The Lord will hide you and protect you.
Under his wings you will find refuge. You will not fear any night time terror,
nor any attack during the day. Upon you no evil shall fall,
no plague approach where you dwell.
For you has he commanded his angels
to keep you safe in all your ways.
Dear God, thank you for your
protection day and night
Listen
Romans
8.35-39:
Nothing can separate us from the love of
Jesus, even if we are in big trouble of any kind. By the power of Jesus who loves us, we can get
through any trouble
Jesus, when I am in trouble, help me remember
your love
Listen
John
6.52-58:
The people said among themselves
"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus replied "If you refuse to eat
my flesh , and drink my blood, you will not have life in
you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life. For my flesh is real food, and my blood is
real drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and
I live in them. As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself
draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me. This is the bread come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever"
Jesus, thank you for the gift of your Body and
Blood
in Holy Communion
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: For the first Christians, "the Breaking of Bread" (the Eucharist) was of prime importance. Through the centuries Christians have died for their faith in the Eucharist. Today is some places Christians are persecuted if they attend the Eucharist. On the other side of the coin: in many places the problem is apathy and loss of faith in the Eucharist .... leading to spiritual malnutrition.
------------------------------
-------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
---------------------------
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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This website was launched in construction
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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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