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 
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Thai 
Tz 
Ug 
EU
HK:how
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AsylumSeekerHK
Name
& shame
JesusTower
GoodNewsForPoor
Dr
Jesus RicciCenter
China8
Tues Oct 22
Hello from Kuala Lumpur where I arrived just after midday
yesterday ... and then attended a four-meeting re my anti-drug campaign .... a
meeting that greatly surpassed the expectations of all who attended. Hopefully
the meeting will do much to stop Malaysian people from trafficking drugs to HK
& other places.
KL these days is a happy place ... getting ready for the Dewali Festival celebrated by the Indian community. See my article of some years ago re the similarity between Dewali and Christmas
It's nice to be away for a while from the madness in HK: Rampaging
mob goes on arson spree
Amazon Synod: Draft
of final document
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Jeremiah
33-35: Most of the people and their leaders ignored God's message
delivered by Jeremiah. But one group listened to Jeremiah and obeyed God's
message:
that group was the nomad clan of Rechabites. At God's command Jeremiah invited them to a meal near the
Temple
and invited them to drink wine. But they replied that they had been told by God
never to own property or build houses or be farmers or drink wine. Jeremiah then spoke to the people watching the
Rechabites:
"See how this clan is obedient to the message of the Lord,
unlike most of the people and its leaders who ignore God. Because this clan has been faithful and obedient,
therefore it will always be blessed by the Lord".
Lord, please help me be
faithful to you, like the Rechabites
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
Listen
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!
Listen
Matthew
4.12-25:
After his time in the desert, Jesus began
preaching the same message as John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is close at hand". Jesus called four fishermen to become
"fishers of men": Peter and his brother Andrew, James and his brother
John. They left their boats and went with Jesus. Jesus went all round the area
of Galilee, preaching in local prayer
halls
and healing all kinds of sick people. News spread about the sick being
healed, and soon even people from distant places came to Jesus to be healed.
Jesus, please heal the people I
know who are sick: (...names...)
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: The Rechevites responded
to God's call (Jeremiah), some nations reject God's call (Psalm), God's call is
for all nations (Ephesians), God has
a special call for some people (Matthew)
------------------------------
On the flight from HK to Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning I
watched a movie produced and directed by and starring Clint Eastwood: The Mule
(based on a true story). How appropriate for my anti-drug trip!
-------------------------------
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 22nd
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 22nd of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Rwanda
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Oct 21
Yesterday
afternoon the wild animals against trashed my neighbourhood. And the longer
the government refuses to have genuine dialogue with the people, the wilder will
the HK scene become .....lack of dialogue is a breeding ground for violent
vandals (...see menu of Oct 8, below)
Today I'm due to go to Malaysia for a series of anti-drug
campaign meetings which I hope will continue to reduce the number of young
Malaysians coming to HK as drug mules (only 4 this year compared with 24 last
year). I'm due back HK Oct 26. Thank you for a prayer
Amazon Synod: I
min Amazon video
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Jeremiah
32: Jerusalem was about to be captured by the
Chaldaeans.
But God promised that Jerusalem would recover its freedom. As a sign that Jerusalem would be free again,
God told Jeremiah to buy a field. People thought Jeremiah was crazy.
But through this action Jeremiah delivered God's message: This city and this land are now a waste,
but soon people will again buy land and build homes
in freedom and safety.
Lord, when things get really
bad, please increase our trust in you
that you will turn things around in our lives
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
Listen
Galatians
6.14-18: As for me, the only thing I boast about is the
Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me,
and I to the world. It does not matter if a person is circumcised
or not.
What matters is that we become a new creature. From now on, I want no more trouble from you.
The scars on my body were suffered for the sake of Jesus. May his grace be with you
Jesus, may I look at everything in the world
from up on your Cross
Listen
Matthew
4.1-11: After he was baptized,
Jesus spent about 40 days praying and fasting in the
desert.
During this time, he was tempted by
Satan. "If you are the Son of God,
change some stones into bread" said Satan. Jesus replied "Human life needs more than
bread.
Life needs God's message". Satan then took Jesus to a high place
and said
"Throw yourself down, since the angels will protect you". Jesus replied
"Presumption is a sin". Then Satan took Jesus to a high mountain
and showed him all the nations of the world. "Worship me and I will give you all these
nations" said Satan. Jesus replied
"Go away, Satan! Only God is to be worshipped". The devil then went away.
Jesus, please protect us from
Satan and from evil
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Last night's destruction by vandals in HK was not quite as bad as first reading situation "This city and this land are now a waste" .... but we're going in that direction.
-------------------------
Yesterday
afternoon a wonderful group of 20 young priests who work in various parts of
Asia came to the Sunday night gathering for the poor (at which they sang
beautifully), then visited my home, then had a meal in a local ground floor
canteen with local Sunday night volunteers. At one stage during the meal, dozens
of protesters ran past the front entrance - running from police. I can't promise
to provide such live ("surreal"?) entertainment for all
visitors.
--------------------
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 21st of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Benin
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Oct 20
Groan .... hope this is not followed by more vandalism in nearby
Nathan Road: Activists dismiss march ban, call for large crowd
The
Human Nervous System in 9 minutes (how could this "just happen"
without a Creator?!)
Kenyan
port of Mobasa a drug trafficking hub
Amazon Synod: Interview
with Cardinal Schonborn
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Mission Sunday
Isaiah 2: In the days to come, the mountain of the
Lord's Temple
will be specially blessed. All the nations will come to it and say:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that he may teach us his ways
so that we may walk in his paths". When they learn the ways of the Lord,
then the nations will hammer their swords into ploughshares,
their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation,
there will be no more training for war. O House of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Lord, please help world leaders
do more for peace in our world
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
19: The heavens proclaim the glory of
God,
the starry skies are the work of his hands. The stars can't speak, but they are
God's handwriting.
The sun is God's love shining on the whole world. The universe is a masterpiece, and so is God's
law
which shines in our hearts. The precepts of the Lord
enlighten our lives
each day.
The law of the Lord gives joy and wisdom to our hearts. The decrees of the Lord are to be desired more
than gold,
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. But often we are unaware of our
errors.
Lord, please protect us from making mistakes.
Lord, may the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you
Listen
Revelation
1.4-8:
From John, to the seven churches of Asia
province:
grace and peace to you
from him who is, who was, and who is to come,
from the seven spirits at his throne,
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,
the First-born from the dead,
the Ruler of the kings of the earth. Jesus Christ loves us and has washed away our
sins with his blood, and made us a line of kings
and priests to serve his
God and Father. It is he who will come on the clouds.
Everyone, in every part of the world, will see him.
All hearts will be moved by his coming "I am the beginning and the end",
says the Lord God.
"I am the originator and goal of all things"
Jesus, please help more and more people know
who you are
01 02
John
17.1-21: After saying many things to his disciples at the meal, Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed "Father, my time has come. Give eternal life to everyone you have entrusted to
me.
Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have
sent.
I have glorified you on earth, and finished the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with the glory I had with you before the world existed.
Protect those you have given me. Protect them from Satan. Consecrate them in the
truth.
As you sent me into the world, so I am sending them into the world. May all my followers be united, so that the world will believe it was you who sent me".
Jesus, please protect our world from lies and
deception. Please bless people who witness to the truth in difficult
situations
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Truth is often a casualty in today's world of fake news. Christians are people who try to be truthful in their own lives and witness for the truth to others
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and
Spanish
Daniel Daring: (Sunday 29) Our help is from the Lord (with Chinese text below English text)
-------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
Yesterday
I saw a new fashion: a guy wearing a wrap-around arm sling (his arm had been
broken) ... carrying his mobile phone in the sling! ("His phone is always
on hand?")
------------------------------
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 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, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Oct 19
Letter
of Cardinal John Tong: Violence is not
the answer to HK crisis
University head calls for
inquiry after hearing student accounts of abuse in police custody
Mexican police capture then release drug boss's son after fierce battle
Malaysian
women had cocaine hidden in ... durians meant for HK!
Amazon Synod: Pope
meets indigenous group
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Jeremiah
30-31: God told Jeremiah to tell the people these words:
"I will restore you to health.
I will heal your wounds.
I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Strong and constant is my love for you. I will bring back the exiles and save them.
I will change their sorrow into joy. The days are coming when I will make a new agreement with my people.
Deep within their hearts I will plant love of my Law. I will be their God and they will be my people.
I will forgive all their sins."
Lord, please plant love of you
deep within my heart
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")
Listen
Galatians
6.7-9:
God cannot be cheated. Where we sow is where
we will reap. If we sow in the field of self-indulgence, we
will get a harvest of corruption. If we sow in the field of the Spirit, we will
get a harvest of eternal life. Never tire of doing good
Jesus, help me sow in the field of the Spirit
by doing good
Listen
Matthew
3.1-17: About 30 years after
Jesus was born,
a man began preaching repentance,
and baptizing people in the river Jordan. This man was John the
Baptist.
His message was
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand". John fulfilled the
prophecy:
"A voice cries in the wilderness: prepare a way for the Lord". John said "I
baptize you with water,
but one is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit".
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
After Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened,
and Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven
said
"This is my Son, the Beloved.
My favor rests on him".
Jesus,
please help me to prepare your way, like John the Baptist
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Psalms 149-150 prompt the thought that all prayer, even prayer in times of distress/sadness, should end on a note of praise .... e.g. with the simple words "Praise you, Lord"
---------------------------
Cardinal Tong's letter mentions Gandhi and Mandela .....
which I have often done on this blog! Cardinal's letter will be my sermon at
weekend Masses!
------------------------------
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 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, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Oct
Yesterday
morning I had a most worthwhile and enjoyable morning tea meeting to do with my
anti-drug campaign .... at Cafe 8
at Star Ferry pier on HK side .... which is a "social enterprise"
employing special staff. Check its website here
(with very informative video). I highly recommend the cafe to HK readers - you
will love it!
Injured protest leader
cautions against targeting ethnic groups for reprisal
Amazon Synod: 87,000
Indigenous voices were recorded in preparation for the Synod
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Feast of Saint Luke ("Luke"/"Acts")
Luke 1: Dear
Friend of God, there are already many reports written about Jesus. These reports
come from people who were the earliest eyewitnesses and ministers of the Good
News. After checking the whole story, I also have decided to write a report, so
that you may see for yourself the truth and accuracy of the Good News
Jesus, help me understand your Good News
Recording
of this reading
Acts
1: Dear Friend of God, in
my first book (the Gospel of Luke)
I wrote about everything Jesus did until the day he was taken up to heaven. For
40 days after his death, he appeared to his apostles many times, and taught them
about the kingdom of God. He told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for what
the Father had promised: "You will soon be baptized with the Holy
Spirit"
Jesus, please baptize me with the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, increase your
influence in my life
Recording
Colossians
4.14 (St Paul
writing from prison in Rome):
Greetings from my
dear friend Luke,
the doctor
Recording
2 Timothy 4.11 (St
Paul writing from prison in Rome):
Only Luke
is with me
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings:
I
really enjoyed this: 
David
Pawson - The Gospel of Luke
-------------------------
The "G40" homeless group who
enjoyed Pizza two days ago were on deck for the usual Thursday night meal
last night - at a new location ... where from next week they will even be able
to enjoy a bit of Karaoke! ("Sing
for their supper"?!)
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Oct 17
Indeed
"A HAPPY MEAL"! Birthday
party yesterday with 40 homeless people
A
loyal reader, who realises I am very critical of the govt for lack of dialogue
with the people, has asked why I refer to the violent protesters as "wild
animals". Well, the Japanese soldiers were "wild animals" during the
Massacre of Nanjing ... and the
Red Guards were "wild animals" during the Cultural Revolution. And
the people who vandalised my local post office and my local MTR stations and put
people's lives in danger by destroying traffic lights were "wild
animals": Vandalised Yau Ma Tei MTR station
Amazon
Synod: Day
8
-----
Chris McDonnell
The theologian of Liberation
During the Amazon Synod is a good time to reflect again on the life and work of
the Brazilian theologian, Leonardo Boff
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Jeremiah 24-29:
For 23 years Jeremiah spoke the message of the Lord,
calling on people to do good and turn away from evil. But the people, especially the leaders, refused to listen to
Jeremiah.
They eventually arrested Jeremiah and planned to kill him. Jeremiah also sent a message to the exiles in Babylon.
But they too refused his message.
Lord, please give me some of
Jeremiah's courage and faith
Recording
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
Galatians 5.19-26:
When self-indulgence is at work, the results
are obvious: sexual irresponsibility, sorcery, feuds and wrangling,
jealousy and drunkenness. What the Spirit brings is very different:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness, gentleness
and self-control. You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you
crucify all self-indulgent desires. Let us be directed by the
Spirit. We must stop
being conceited, provocative and envious.
Holy Spirit, increase your influence in
my life
Listen
Matthew
2.13-23: After the wise men left Bethlehem,
an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said
"Go quickly to Egypt,
because Herod wants to kill the child". That same night, Joseph got up
and set out for Egypt with Mary and Jesus.
Herod was angry after being tricked by the wise men.
He got his soldiers to kill all baby boys two years old or younger in
Bethlehem. After Herod died some months later,
an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream
and told him to return to Israel. Joseph, Mary and Jesus moved to the town of
Nazareth,
thus fulfilling the prophecy about the Saviour:
"He will be called a Nazarene".
Jesus, you were once a refugee. Please bless all refugees in the world today
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: I am ashamed at the way asylum seekers are treated in HK. I am even more ashamed at the way Australia has greatly closed its doors to asylum seekers
---------------
Not
a scrap of food was wasted at the Pizza Hut birthday meal yesterday ..... the 40
guests were not only homeless but also hungry!
--------------------
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 17th 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Oct 16
Before spending several hours at Lai Chi Kok men's prison
yesterday afternoon, I had lunch with the parent of a prisoner from Africa ...
who is in HK to visit the prisoner. Not the first time I've heard about the
extra heartache caused to families when someone goes to prison in another
country .... often beginning with a wait of days if not weeks to find out where
the missing person is and if they are safe.
Before I entered the prison I encountered a number of young
protesters - on the MTR and on the street - getting ready for another
"action". Easy to recognise such people .... carrying large umbrellas
in fine weather! See 
below. *** Today in HK the
Chief Executive Carrie Lam is due to deliver her policy address .... which
probably won't address the real issues in HK and will thereby set off another
round of protests. Hope I'm wrong. Hope Carrie might announce a Mandela
Reconciliation conference!
Australian
universities helping China's surveillance? ***
Make-up
can thwart facial recognition
Amazon Synod: Day
7
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Jeremiah 21-23:
Jerusalem was under siege by the Chaldaeans.
The Lord told Jeremiah to tell the leaders of Jerusalem to surrender. But the leaders of Jerusalem did not obey Jeremiah's words.
So the Lord got Jeremiah to say these words:
"Woe to the shepherds who allow my sheep to be scattered and killed.
You have not taken care of my sheep. Therefore I will raise up a leader who will be wise and just.
He will be a good shepherd of my people."
Lord, please help our leaders
to be good shepherds
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
Listen
Galatians
5.13-15: Serve one another in works of
love, since the
whole of the Law is summed up in the command "Love your neighbor as
yourself". If you go in for non-stop criticism and
personal attacks, you will destroy the church community
Jesus, help me avoid unfair/unnecessary
criticism of other people
Listen
Matthew
2.1-12: Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem,
during the reign of King Herod. Some months after Jesus' birth,
several wise men from the East came to Jerusalem. They said "Where is the infant king
of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and we have come to offer him honor."
King Herod felt threatened by this news.
He knew from the Scriptures that the promised Saviour would be born
in Bethlehem. So Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem,
pretending that he too would like to offer honor to the child. The wise men headed for Bethlehem, guided by
the star.
The star filled them with joy.
The star stopped over the place where the child was. The wise men fell to their knees and honored
the child.
They offered him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. Then they returned to their own country by a
different way,
having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod.
Jesus,
help me to honor
you like the wise men
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Even in times of crisis/chaos/calamity/consternation/catastrophe .... Jesus gives us hope/strength/courage/peace .... just as the star gave joy to the 3 wise men
---------------------------
In many countries, many (unwise) young people don't like
using umbrellas. It's "smart" to get wet (and get sick). It's
"dumb" (and healthy) to use an umbrella. Especially a large umbrella.
Which is why the large-umbrella-bearing young protesters in HK stand out
like a sore thumb.
-------------------------
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 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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Oct 15
Things are so bad in HK these days that I am becoming more and more convinced that the most useful thing I can do is spend a bit of time in a church each day .... asking God to move the govt to be willing to engage in Nelson Mandela type dialogue with enemies ... asking God to stop protesters from using violence .... asking God to help the police do a better job *** Effort to split China will result in crushed bodies - Xi Jinping
Can you see any difference in these two reports? Now TV driver 'beaten in police station stairwell'
and Now TV driver
"taken in for his own safety"
Animal protesters attack woman who disagreed with them - see
video at
this link
ICAC
revelations against Chinese donor
China
and Catholicism: an unhappy marriage
My article in today's Ming Pao newspaper has the topic: I am a protesters' leader - one million views! It's on Ming Pao website - click "Australian in HK". Text without recording
Amazon Synod: Day
6
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Jeremiah
18-20: Some officials decided to get rid of
Jeremiah.
They did not want to listen to his message any more.
"Come on,", they said, "let us make a case against
him." Jeremiah prayed to God:
"Lord, you know that people are plotting against me.
Please help me and keep me safe." One of the Temple priests had Jeremiah beaten
and put in stocks for a day near the Temple. Again Jeremiah prayed to God:
"You have seduced me, Lord.
You have told me to proclaim a harsh message for the people. This has made me a
laughing-stock.
Being your messenger has caused me insult all the day long. At one stage I even thought of not speaking
your message any more.
But then I felt a fire burning in my heart. I could not stop thinking of you. I just had to speak your message."
Lord, please increase my
love for you. Please give me more courage to speak your message to my
family, friends and people I meet
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
146: My soul, give
praise to the Lord.
I will praise the Lord all my days. Put no trust in
princes,
in mortal men in whom there is no help. Take their breath, they
return to clay
and their plans that day come to nothing. They are happy who are
helped by Jacob's God,
whose hope is in the Lord our God, who alone made heaven
and earth,
the seas and all they contain. It is he who gives
bread to the hungry,
the Lord, who sets prisoners free. It is the Lord who
gives sight to the blind,
who raises up those who are bowed down. It is the Lord who
protects the stranger
and upholds the widow and orphan. It is the Lord who
loves the just
but thwarts the path of the
wicked. The Lord will reign for
ever,
Zion's God, from age to age.
Lord, please increase my trust
and faith in you
Listen
Galatians
5.1-6:
When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain
free.
Stand firm then and do not return to a life of slavery to Jewish Law. As a Christian, it doesn't matter if you are
circumcised or not.
What matters is faith that is put into loving action
Jesus, help people whose lives are being
damaged by unreasonable religious laws
Listen
Matthew
1.18-25:
This is how Jesus came to be born.
His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph. But before they lived together,
Mary became pregnant by the power of the Holy
Spirit. An angel appeared
to Joseph in a dream
and said "Joseph,
descendant of David,
do not be afraid to live with Mary as your wife".
Her baby has been conceived by the power of the Holy
Spirit.
She will give birth to a son.
You must name him 'Jesus'
('God saves')
because he will save his people from their sins." Joseph took Mary
to his home as his wife.
She gave birth to a son, Jesus.
Dear
Jesus, Son of God, son of Mary, step-son of Joseph,
please help me understand how you are the Saviour of the world
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: These days the words of Psalm 146 have special meaning for HK people facing threats on all sides: "Lord, thwart the path of the wicked"
------------------------------
Kindergarten is back: Finance committee elects head amid chaotic scenes
-------------------------------
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 15th
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
-----------------------
Usually I remove each menu after one week. It can still be accessed on "Archives" (top of this page). But because the menu of Oct 8 has special relevance to HK at the moment, I will not delete it for the time being
-------------------------------
Tues Oct 8
The collapse of HK is continuing at exponential speed: Vandals
bring HK to standstill.
Yesterday before midday as I crossed the intersection of Nathan Road and Jordan
Road to join two very special friends for a Yum Cha, I noticed the traffic and
pedestrian lights were not working ... with pedestrians running the gauntlet
between buses, trucks and cars to cross the road .... and vehicles blasting
horns trying to force their way through the intersection .... with not a few
near-misses. I actually made a video of a police car going through the
intersection, but not stopping to help the situation.
More than an hour later when I returned to the same place, after the Yum Cha,
the situation was just as chaotic. So, I went home, got my trusty bush hat, and
went back to the intersection as a volunteer traffic guide .... for which, as
the afternoon went on, many dozens of bus drivers and other drivers waved a
thank you sign to me as they went past. Many pedestrians gave me bottles of
water ... from a few of which I took a few mouthfuls before putting the bottles
at an crossing island.
After about 30 minutes a police car stopped and several policeman told me to stop. I said I'd be happy to stop if they would do the job. They asked me to get in their car. I declined and walked to a footpath. Then I went home for a drink and toilet break. Then went back. Police still not helping. So I went back to work. Having a bus licence (in Australia and formerly in HK) I understand traffic and felt in no danger. Just got tired after another 90 minute stint. With a cramp in my left foot. So I went again to the footpath. Providential timing. Within a minute another police car came and two polite officers and I had the same conversation as above. They told me to go. I said I would go if they would do their job. My left foot and tiredness decided on a trip home, where I had a shower (very hot weather) and rest.
About 6.30pm I went back to the intersection ....as part of a prayer walk ...and was pleased to see 4 (!) traffic policeman on the job. But when I returned around 7pm they were just leaving ....walking away from a dangerous situation. So I ask myself, as on last night's menu: why are police not on the job? Why are they letting vandals have hours of freedom to wreck MTR stations and smash shops? Some people say the authorities want to see HK in chaos so that the PLA can come in and restore order and rule will be from Beijing. To this end, some people even say that some of the destruction is being done by undercover policemen .... maybe from the Mainland since some don't speak HK Cantonese.
Some people say that while the vast majority of protesters are peaceful, there's a small minority of radical vandals whose aim is anarchy. No mainstream media will talk much about this, but in private many people feel that former legislator "Long Hair" Leung Kwok Hung is one of the masterminds of the destruction that "spontaneously" breaks out at the same time at so many locations. Wikipedia's main article (with it's many links) shows he was/is a Trotskyist, anarchist and revolutionary Marxist.
So, the vandalising is maybe coming from more than one source, but it is turning one of the safest and most beautiful cities in the world into a place of destruction and despondency. I felt absolutely gutted last night as I walked down Nathan Road from Jordan Road to Waterloo Road, seeing the trail of destruction ...especially my beloved Kowloon Central Post Office whose doors and windows have been smashed and the front of the building covered in "campaign signs". And I noticed many groups of mainly young people in black carrying umbrellas (on a fine night) heading towards Mong Kok ....trouble brewing there.
Violence just makes things worse. And this is a lesson that the HK government is just not getting. It caused the original peaceful protests (by its crazy extradition amendment) and then by ignoring the peaceful protesters, the govt bred violence, bred radical vandals ..some of whom didn't need much breeding .... they were waiting for a chance to destroy HK. The govt has handed HK to them on a petrol bomb.
Is this all a bad dream? If only. But today is another day .... and how will people get to work and school with the MTR badly damaged and under threat after four nights of destruction (Frid, Sat, Sun, public holiday yesterday for Chung Yeung Festival)? God, please help HK get out of this mess! Please thwart the plans of the wicked!
New
FB to try to stop women from Thailand
bringing drugs to HK: Thailand Drug
Trade
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Jeremiah
7: At the gate of the Temple in Jerusalem,
Jeremiah proclaimed the word of the Lord: "You people of Judah who come here to worship,
amend your behavior and actions,
and then I, the Lord, will meet you here in this Temple. Do not exploit the stranger, the orphan and the widow.
Do not follow alien gods, do not break the Commandments. If you don't care about bad behavior
and yet keep on coming to my Temple for worship,
your worship is useless
and you are turning this Temple into a robbers' den. This nation refuses to listen to the Lord.
Sincerity has vanished since worship and behavior are not
related."
Lord, please help me "practise
what I preach"
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
137: By the rivers of Babylon we sat and cried,
remembering Zion.
On the poplars that grew there we hung up our harps. For it was there that they asked us, our
captors, for songs.
"Sing to us", they said, "one of Zion's songs". O how could we sing the song of the Lord on
alien soil?
If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither. O let my tongue cleave to my mouth
if I remember you not, Jerusalem, above all my joys.
Lord, please help people
who have been exiled from their homeland
Listen
Galatians
1.11-24: The Good News I preach is not a human message.
It is something I received from Jesus Christ. I used to persecute the church, but then God
called me to follow Jesus. I am a one-time persecutor who is now
preaching the faith I had previously tried to destroy. When I visited Jerusalem three years after my
conversion, the believers gave glory to God for what he had done for me
Jesus, please turn more persecutors into
preachers!
Listen
John
20.1-10: Before dawn the next morning, Sunday, Mary
Magdalene went to the tomb. She saw the stone had been moved from
the tomb's entrance. She ran to Peter and John and said
"Someone has taken the Lord out of the tomb". They ran back to the tomb. Peter went in
first. He saw that the linen cloths were on the ground. But the cloth that
had been around Jesus' head was not on the ground. It was neatly folded
and in a place by itself. Then John went into the tomb. He saw, and he
believed
Jesus, I believe you rose from the dead.
Please increase my faith
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Today's Gospel reminds us
that in the midst of death and destruction and dejection, God plants seeds
of .... deliverance and delight
------------------------------
Australian
protesters using HK tactics!
-------------------------------
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 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, 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
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.
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Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile +852- 67095674
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .