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
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
long prison for trafficking?
.AsylumSeekerHK
Name
& shame
JesusTower
GoodNewsForPoor
Dr
Jesus
China8
SimpleBible
MatteoRicci
April 14
Easter Tues
According to local experts and Google, it's not possible to
install Windows 10 in a 7 (8?) year old Toshiba Satellite Pro laptop. But
yesterday at a shop called "Computer Hospital" (phone 23600513) in the
Golden Computer Centre of Sham Shui Po, a "doctor" performed the
operation successfully in a bit over 3 hours on my trusty companion ... even
leaving other programs in safety.
And while the Toshiba was in hospital, I went to Sheung Shui to visit 97 year old Fr John Chai O.M.I. in his nursing home ... having obtained special permission from the home for the visit. May the Risen Lord especially protect all nursing homes at this time of Covid-19.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers
18: God's words to Aaron:
"You and your sons will be priests.
You will lead the liturgy and carry out the duties of your priesthood.
You will have no portion of the land as your own.
I myself will be your portion.
When your sons receive the people's tithes,
they must give you for a special offering
a tithe of the tithes."
Dear
God, please help priests to be good and not greedy
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
1
John 3.16-21:
This has taught us love:
that Jesus gave up his life for us.
We too should give up our lives for others. If you see someone in need
and refuse to help him,
how can the love of God be in you? Our love must be put into
practice, not be
just words.
Anyone who loves God must also love other people
Jesus, help me put my love into practice by
helping people in need
Listen
John
20.11-18: Peter and John went
home. Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb, crying. When she looked inside the
tomb, she saw two angels in white. She also saw Jesus standing there, though she
did not recognize him. Jesus said "Woman, why are you crying?". Mary
thought he was the gardener so she said to him "If you have taken him away,
tell me where you have put him". Jesus said "Mary"
and she recognized him. Jesus then said "I will ascend to my Father".
Mary went and told the disciples all she had seen and heard.
Jesus, please bless people who are crying at funerals today. May awareness of
your presence bring them peace and strength for the days ahead
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings: 
Thine
Be the Glory (Easter song -
Chinese version very popular in HK)
------------------------------
Near the computer centre where I took my Toshiba laptop
yesterday, I saw a man and his wife/girlfriend walking along the footpath. Man
was wearing a tee shirt (presumably given him by his partner) with the words
"I don't need Google. My wife knows everything"!
-------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
April
13
Easter Monday
Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days I can remember in HK
- fine but not hot weather ... lovely blue sky .... glorious sunshine .... I
really enjoyed my midday walk as a break for time at desk answering mail etc.
Late afternoon I went to the church for time of prayer, then spent time giving
out masks to homeless people .... before joining an Easter zoom time for Oblates
in Australia, HK and other places.
Did Jesus visit his Mother on Easter morning? Here's why JPII said "probably"
Pope's
Easter message - fight virus and seflishness
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers
17: Once again the
people complained against Moses and Aaron.
This time through Moses God told the leaders of the 11 tribes
to bring 11 branches and plant them with Aaron's branch.
The next day Aaron's branch had blossomed and produced fruit. Aaron's branch then became a sign to the people
that they should stop complaining
Dear
God, please help me not to complain so much
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
34:
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips.
In the Lord my soul shall make its boast,
the humble shall hear and be glad. Glorify the Lord with me, together let us
praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me.
From all my terrors he set me free. The angel of the Lord is encamped around those
who revere the Lord, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is
good.
They are happy who seek refuge in him. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.
Those whose spirits are crushed he will save.
Lord, by our Bible reading and
prayer, may we taste and see your goodness each day
Listen
Acts 1.1-5: 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
Listen
Matthew
28.1-15: Jesus died
on Friday afternoon. Early on Sunday morning, two women went to Jesus' tomb.
Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, and an angel from heaven came and
rolled away the big stone at the tomb's entrance. The guards at the tomb were
terrified of the angel. The angel said to the women "Do not be afraid. I
know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. He
has risen from the dead. Go and tell his disciples he has risen from the
dead and will see them in Galilee". The women were filled with joy and ran
to tell this news to the disciples. As they left the tomb area, Jesus himself
appeared to them and said "Do not be afraid. Go and tell the
disciples they must go to Galilee. They will see me there".
Lord Jesus, by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. You are the
Savior of the world
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Imagine how we'd feel after the funeral of a relative or close friend ...if ...that person came back to life a few days after the funeral. Good News ...to be shared with all relatives and friends....and the world!
-------------------------
Recently when I went to transfer a video of 4G+ to a USB
with free space of 100G, I got a message "file too big for transfer".
Google solved the problem by pointing out that USBs are usually formatted in
FAT32 type which does not allow a file larger than 4G to be transferred .... so
... just format your USB (after saving content), then change its type from FAT32
to NTFS in the type box .... and that's it. USB will then accept any-sized file.
Thank you Google!
--------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
April 12
EASTER
SUNDAY
I wish all dear readers A Happy Easter!
I spent yesterday, a public holiday, at 18C men's prison on Hei
Ling Chau Island. A good day to visit since workshops were closed and all
inmates were either in a dining hall or at the exercise yard ... easy to access.
The 200+ inmates were most welcoming .... they treated me like an old friend. I
wished each one individually the blessings of Easter as I showed them my small
O.M.I. cross. That makes 5 days in prison for me over the past 6 days. I am
looking forward to a quiet Easter Sunday!
As in so many parts of the world, the bad Nigerians are giving
the good ones a bad name:
Africans
in Guangzhou lose homes in virus crackdown (... no pun intended ... crackdown
.... most of the Nigerians in Guangzhou are doing drugs)
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Easter Sunday
Acts
10.34-43: Peter addressed Cornelius and his
household: "You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judea; about
Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee. God had anointed him with
the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about
doing good, and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. And about
how they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God
raised him to life. We have eaten and drunk with him after his
resurrection from the dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this
witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his
name."
Jesus, Risen Lord, please increase my faith in you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
118: Give thanks to the Lord
for he is good. His love has no end. Let
the sons of Israel say: "His love has no end." The Lord's right
hand has triumphed. His right hand has raised me up. I shall not die, I shall
live and recount all his deeds. The
stone which the builders rejected, has become the corner stone. This is
the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord. We rejoice and are glad.
Recording 
Colossians
3.1-2: Since you
have been brought back to true life with Christ, focus on heaven, where
Christ is, sitting at the Father's right hand. Let your thoughts be more on
heavenly things, less on the things that are on earth.
Jesus, please help me think more often about heaven.....since that's where I
hope to spend all eternity! Help me understand how this present world is just a
temporary arrangement
Recording
John
20.1-9: 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
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: May the Risen Lord rescue our world from Covid-19!
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and
Spanish
(+
Cantonese audio)
Daniel Daring: Christ is Risen, Alleluia! (Chinese text)
-------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
Easter
- we again use "Alleluia"
(after not using it for 6 weeks of Lent). So, this alleluia joke: A
man bought a donkey from a preacher. The preacher told the man that the
donkey had been trained in a very unique way (being the donkey of a preacher).
The only way to make the donkey go, was to say, "Hallelujah!" The only
way to make the donkey stop, was to say, "Amen!" The man was pleased
with his purchase and immediately got on the animal to try out the preacher's
instructions.
"Hallelujah!" shouted the man. The donkey began to trot.
"Amen!" shouted the man. The donkey stopped immediately. "This is
great!" said the man. With a "Hallelujah" he rode off, very proud
of his new purchase. The man traveled for a long time through the mountains. As
he headed towards a cliff, he tried to remember the word to make the donkey
stop. "Stop," said the man. "Halt!" he cried. The donkey
just kept going. "Oh, no..." ..."Bible...Church!...Please!
Stop!!," shouted the man. The donkey just began to trot faster. He was
getting closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. Finally, in desperation, the
man said a prayer ... "Please, dear Lord. Please make this donkey
stop before I go off the end of this mountain, In Jesus' name, AMEN." The
donkey came to an abrupt stop just one step from the edge of the cliff.
"HALLELUJAH!" shouted the man.
------------------------------
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 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, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
April
11
HOLY
SATURDAY
I spent yesterday at 18A, the male drug treatment centre on Hei
Ling Chau Island .... showing Jesus' cross to about 150 inmates and leaving for
about 100 of them copies of Doctor Jesus, Good
News for the Poor and No
Next Time.... all the time trying to remember what was happening at each
hour on Calvary
Domestic
helpers are the unsung heroes of HK virus crisis
This
is bad news for the whole of South America ... because from Brazil the virus
will spread to other countries: President
ignores health warnings
Chris McDonnell
Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good
Friday, Easter Sunday)
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Matthew
27.57-66: Joseph from
Arimathaea was a rich man who had become a disciple of Jesus. After Jesus died
on Friday, he asked Governor Pilate for Jesus' body. Joseph
wrapped the body in a clean burial cloth and put it in his own new tomb in a
rock cave. He then put a large stone at the cave's entrance. The next
day, Saturday, the religious leaders went to Pilate and said
"This imposter said he would rise from the dead after 3 days. Therefore you
should secure the tomb in case his disciples steal the body and say he has risen
from the dead". Pilate gave them a guard and told them to secure the tomb.
The guards took up their position at the tomb and seals were put on the entrance
stone.
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal
life to all who have died
Recording
Mark
15.42-47: Joseph
from Arimathaea was a rich man who had become a disciple of Jesus. After Jesus
died on Friday, he asked Governor Pilate for Jesus' body. Joseph wrapped the
body in a clean burial cloth and put it in a tomb in a rock cave. He then put a
large stone at the cave's entrance. Mary
of Magdala and another woman watched Joseph as he put Jesus' body in the tomb.
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal life to everyone who dies today
Recording
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
Recording
John
19.38-42: Joseph
of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.
Pilate agreed and Jesus' body was taken down from the cross. Another man,
Nicodemus, brought burial spices. He
and Joseph wrapped Jesus' body in linen cloths with the spices. Since the
Passover was due to begin at sunset, they put the body in an unused tomb close
to the place of Crucifixion.
Jesus, dead in the tomb, please give eternal life to everyone who dies today
Recording
Reflection: 
With
What Great Love - Carey
Landry
---------------------------
A-Fu, a 50+ street sleeper, is based on the footpath
opposite Lai Chi Kok men's prison. He is not a drug addict. He gets his meals
from public rubbish bins. I usually give him a few dollars each time I see him.
Last week I gave him some unwanted clothing ... and was pleased a few days ago
to see he was wearing my old trousers!
------------------------------
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 11th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hunan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 11th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Eritrea
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
April 10 (no
meat)
GOOD
FRIDAY
Good Friday was when a young Eugene de Mazenod was tsunamied by the love of Jesus. May Good Friday always have a powerful effect on our hearts .... and give us courage to live better lives as Christians
Yesterday morning I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison (my 4th visit
in 8 days) to deliver a large quantity of Bibles and other books (which I had
promised to leave for prisoners the day before, but then I ran out of stock).
Today I'm hoping to spend Good Friday in another detention centre ...
remembering that Thursday night and Friday morning was when Jesus was in
detention
Covid-19
untreatable in one of Pakistan's 4 provinces
Prayer before a Crucifix
(& May
Jesus' Cross protect us from Covid-19)
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
c.f. readings for Good Friday
Isaiah
52-53: See, my
servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up and exalted. As the crowds were
appalled on seeing him - so disfigured did he look - so will the crowds be
astonished at him, for they will see something that has never happened before.
Without beauty, without majesty, we saw him. He was despised and rejected,
a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. He was despised and we took no
account of him. And yet ours
were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. He was pierced
through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that
brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray
like sheep, and the Lord burdened him with our sins. Harshly dealt with, he bore
it humbly, never opening his mouth. He let himself be taken for a sinner, and
all the time he was suffering and praying for sinners.
Jesus, these words refer to you. Thank you for all you suffered to redeem the
world.
My recording of this reading
Luke
23.33-38: When they reached
the place called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals
also, one on his right, the other on his left. Above his head was placed a sign
"This is the King of the Jews". Jesus prayed "Father,
forgive them. They do not know what they are doing". The leaders
made fun of him "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ
of God". The soldiers mocked him too "If you are the king of the Jews,
save yourself".
Jesus, you forgave those who mocked you and crucified you. I forgive anyone
who has been unkind to me
Recording
Luke
23.39-43: One of the
criminals hanging on a cross mockingly said to Jesus "Are you not the
Christ? Save yourself and us as well". But the other criminal rebuked the
first one and said "We are paying the penalty for our crimes. But this man
has done nothing wrong". "Jesus", he
said, "remember
me when you come into your kingdom".
Jesus replied "I promise you, this day you will be with me in
Paradise".
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom
Recording
Luke 23.44-49: At about midday, there was an eclipse of the sun. The whole land was in darkness until about 3pm. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice "Father, into your hands I entrust my life".
Then he died.
When
the Roman army leader saw what had happened, he said "This was a great and
good man". The people who had been present went home asking God for mercy. Jesus'
friends stood at a distance and saw all that had happened.
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for the salvation of the world
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
Video,
with subtitles in Chinese & voice over in Cantonese, explaining the Passion
according to John
One
of the most moving songs ever written:
Jesus,
remember me, when you come into your kingdom
Brendan
Hoban - The
pull of Good Friday:
For anyone who believes in Jesus, time stood still on Good Friday and, like
Christmas Day, the mood of Good Friday creates in us a need to somehow affirm
its importance in our lives. This is why so many find themselves drawn
towards a church on Good Friday. Even those whose faith may be uncertain
and whose religious practice may have ceased can find themselves in reflective
mood on Good Friday
Daniel Daring - The Source of Eternal Salvation (scroll down); Chinese text (scroll down)
-------------------------
n o t o n G o o d F r i d a y
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
April 9
HOLY THURSDAY
How many people were at the Last Supper?!
Yesterday I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison for 8 hours. This was
my 3rd visit in the past week, enabling me to finish a round of visits to every
one of the prison's 40+ dayrooms ... to meet old and new faces ... and to wish
everyone a Happy Easter. Risen Lord, please bless everyone
- staff as well as inmates - at Lai Chi Kok!
On this day in recent years I have held a Holy Thursday Mass with washing of feet in a very special Lai Chi Kok dayroom (.. repeat drug offenders ...), but not today ... because of virus. And I guess Pope Francis also will be stopped from a similar routine - ever since he was elected, he has washed feet at various detention centres on Holy Thurday (see photo at top of this menu)
Covid-19
in Africa: what happens next?
New
York was too slow to act against Covid-19
Pope
appoints new women deacons commission
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Exodus
12-13: God
said to Moses and Aaron "On
the evening of the 14th day of this month, each family must kill and eat a one
year old male sheep or goat. Some of its blood must be put on your front door.
You must eat it in a hurry, with a belt round your waist, sandals on your feet,
and a staff in your hand. This night I will go through the
Jesus, Passover Lamb
of God, we praise you Lord!
My recording of this reading
Psalm
116: I love the Lord for he
has heard the cry of my appeal. He turned his ear to me in the day when I called
him. They
surrounded me, sorrow, distress and the snares of death. I was helpless, so the
Lord saved me. Calm down my soul, for the Lord has been good. I will walk in the
presence of the Lord in the land of the living. How can I repay the Lord for his
goodness to me? The
cup of salvation I will raise to thank the Lord. O
precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Lord, you have
loosened my bonds. I am your servant.
Jesus, thank you for the cup of salvation that is your Eucharistic Blood
Recording
1
Corinthians 11.20-26: Concerning
the Lord's Supper, this is what I received from the Lord and then taught you: On
the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, broke it and said
"This is my body which
will be broken for you". After supper he took a cup and said "This
cup is the new covenant in my blood. Each time you drink this cup, drink
it in memory of me". Until the Lord comes, therefore, each time you eat
this bread and drink this cup, you re-enact the death of the Lord.
Jesus, help me understand how bread and wine become your body and blood when
Christians celebrate the Eucharist
Recording
John
13.1-15: While Jesus and his
disciples were eating a meal just before the Passover, Jesus got up from the
table, removed his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist as an
apron. He then
poured water into a basin, and like a slave, began to
wash the disciples' feet, wiping them with the towel he was wearing.
After washing their feet he said to them "You are right in calling me
Master and Lord. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have humbly served you, you
should humbly serve one another. I have given you an example, so that you may
copy what I have done for you".
Jesus, please help us to serve other people humbly, just as you humbly served
the disciples
Recording
and
see 
below!
Reflection
on the above Bible readings: One
picture is better than many words:
Mozart-Bernstein: Ave
Verum (and see
comments)
Daniel Daring - Holy Thursday reflection: Called to Imitate Jesus (Chinese text here)
---------------
--------------------
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 9th 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 9th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Central
African Republic
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
April 8
Wed of Holy Week
My day yesterday was spent mainly at the desk, apart from a morning trip to SF
parcel office to collect text book for a prisoner, and afternoon trip to G/F to
receive text book for another prisoner from a DHL delivery man .... then a trip
to church for prayer visit, followed by a time on the street giving out masks to
homeless people.
Faith
not enough to combat Covid-19
Arch-conservatives,
particularly in Islam, are defying governments and endangering their communities
Former
student of Iona College dies after shark attack
------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
Loves comes from Prayer
How might we use our enforced seclusion in these troubled days?
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Wednesday of Holy Week
Isaiah
50: The Lord has
opened my ear to hear his message. The Lord has given me words to proclaim his
message. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered
my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard. I
did not protect my face from insult and spittle. I set my face like
flint. The Lord will help me.
Jesus, please help me understand how these words refer to you
My recording of this reading
Psalms
69-70: Save me, O God, for
the waters have risen to my neck. I am sinking fast and can't keep afloat much
longer. So
many people hate me without cause. I have no more strength to resist them. May
my situation not cause anyone to lose faith in you. May people realize that it
is for your sake that I am taunted. Taunts have broken my heart. No one shows me
any compassion. For food they give me poison. In
my thirst they give me vinegar to drink. Lord, do not hide your face from
your servant. Answer quickly for I am in distress. You are my rescuer, my help,
O God. O Lord, do not delay to help me.
Jesus, please help me understand how these words refer to you
Recording
Luke
23.13-25: Pilate
said to the religious leaders and to the people "You brought this man
before me as a political agitator. Neither Herod nor I have found a case against
the man. He has done nothing deserving death. I shall have him flogged and then
let him go". But the leaders and people screamed
out "Away with him. Crucify him!". Pilate asked "Why? What harm
has he done?" They kept shouting "Crucify
him! Crucify him!" Pilate then gave in to them and handed Jesus over
for crucifixion.
Jesus, how great your mental suffering must have been as the crowd shouted
for your death
Recording
Luke
23.26-34: As Jesus
was being led to the place of crucifixion, a man named Simon was coming into
Jerusalem from the country. He
was made to carry the cross behind Jesus. Large numbers of people
followed him, including women who mourned for him. Jesus said to them
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep rather for yourselves and
for your children. For if this is how innocent people are treated, what will
happen to people who are guilty?" Two criminals were led out with Jesus to
be crucified with him.
Jesus, please help me to carry my cross each day
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: Each time we help another person to "keep going", we are helping Jesus to carry his cross
---------------------------
Virus time wedding:
-------------------------
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 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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues April 7
Yesterday I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison for 7 hours ... yet
again saddened to meet further new drug mules arrested at HK airport since the
start of the year. And one elderly 2019 drug mule from Europe - aged 85! -
agreed that because of the virus it is safer to be in detention at the moment
since detention conditions in HK are among the best in the world ... including
24/7 care from medically trained staff.
3
of the 4 Kenyan women in this terrible story have been to my home and have been
visiting African prisoners. If any kind reader is in a position to offer one or
more of these women a new work contract, please email me: jdwomi@gmail.com
: Hungry
and indebted - Kenyan domestic worker falls victim to forced labour in HK
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f.
readings for Tues of Holy Week. Let's use these readings with Jesus ...
they apply to him
Isaiah 46-49: The Lord
called me before I was born. From my mother's womb he knew my name. While I was
thinking that I had toiled in vain, all the while my cause was with the Lord.
The Lord who formed me in the womb and assigned me to rescue his people, that
same Lord said to me: "I
will make you the light of the nations, so that my salvation will reach
to the ends of the earth"
Jesus, please help me understand how
these words refer to you
Psalm
71: In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Please
hear me and help me. Be
a rock where I can take refuge. Rescue
me from people
who want to hurt me. It
is you, O Lord, who are my hope. In you I have trusted since I was young. From
my mother's womb you have been my help. My hope has always been in you. Now that
I am old, please do not forget me. Now that my strength fails, do not abandon
me. To you I will sing with the harp. All day long my tongue will tell of your
goodness to me. Jesus,
please help me understand how these words refer to you
Recording
Mark
14.66-72: Peter went to the place where the
religious leaders had Jesus on trial.
A young woman in the courtyard of the place said to him
"You were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth". Peter replied "I don't know
what you're talking about". Peter went to the gateway of the
place, where the woman saw him again and said to people around her
"This man is one of them".
Peter denied it. Not long after this a group of
people said to Peter
"You are his friend. We can tell by your Galilean accent".
Then Peter even more strongly replied "I do not know the man". At that very moment, a rooster
crowed.
Peter remembered Jesus' words "Before the rooster crows, you will
deny me three times". Peter then wept loudly.
Jesus, please help me not to
deny you. Give me courage to say "I am a Christian"
Listen
Luke
22.63-65: The men
who were guarding Jesus mocked
him and beat him. They blindfolded him. "Since you are a
prophet", they said, "tell us who hit you just then". And they
continued heaping insults on him.
Jesus, please stop me from making offensive fun of other people
Recording
Luke 22.66 - 23.12: At
daybreak there was a meeting of the religious leaders. Jesus was brought before
them. They asked him "Are you the Son of God?". He replied
"Yes". They said "We have heard his blasphemy from his own
lips". They took him to the Roman governor, Pilate, and made many false
accusations against him. Pilate said "I find no case against him".
Jesus was then taken to King Herod who
made fun of him and sent him back to Pilate.
Jesus, on trial before the leaders, before Herod and before Pilate, please help
all prisoners who are on trial today
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: When someone makes fun of us, we react, internally if not externally. Being made fun of is not a pleasant experience. And most of us have to admit to having made fun of others. But human hurt feelings pale into insignificance when compared with what Jesus must have felt. The Creator of the Universe being ridiculed by creatures. A loving and kind parent being ridiculed by a son or daughter .... only a faint image of what happened 2,000 years ago this week.
------------------------------
-------------------------------
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 7th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hebei
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 7h of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Burkina Faso
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
-----------------------
----------------------
Africa:
2020: My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg
2017:
My trip to Southern Africa, Dubai (
The
Last Run)
2016:
My trip to Kenya, Uganda
2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi
----------------
Latin America:
2019-05-10: No More Mules Peru FB boost 199,000 views!
2019-01-20: Article in El Pais, Uruguay - 01 02
2018-09-18: No More Mules Facebook campaign - more than 300,000 people reached in Venezuela
2018: My trip to Latin America
----------------
South East Asia:
Oct 23, 2019: FM988 Breakfast program in Kuala Lumpur at which I was a guest
June 2019: My campaign featured in The Malaysia Drug Trade (6 written reports & documentary video)
2019-03-25: Eleven HK01 video and photo reports about Malaysian drug mules arrested in HK- here (one of the reports is about my anti-drug campaign).
Dec 2018 - My Jan 2019 trip to Malaysia
2018: My trip to Thailand and Cambodia
--------------------
Hong Kong:
July 2019: My warning to HK domestic helpers - published here in HK Filipino media
2018-09-22:
My
60 min video interview with Radio99,
in Cantonese, is here: 01 02
to help stop people going to prison
2018-07-29: SCMP- Beware drug lords luring domestic helpers, refugees into narcotics trade
2018-04-08: The Pearl Report on TVB - concerning HK's Long Term Sentencing Review Board and my anti-drug campaign
March 18, 2018: South China Morning Post report on my work
2017-12-01: Report in Chinese in Ming Pao Magazine
2017-09-27: SCMP Spirit of HK Awards (video starts after 20 secs)
2017-08-24: Cable TV video report on my anti-drug campaign and a Facebook report on the video report (click "translation" for English)
2027-05-18: SCMP - The prison chaplain who has stopped 150 drug mules reaching HK
2017-03-25: Oriental
Daily
report of case of South African woman given discount for help to my campaign
*** May
14 updates:
Oriental
Daily, Apple
Daily, Sing
Tao
Dec 1, 2016 - HK News: More women being recruited as drug mules
2016-10-13: HK01 report about campaign and about work for the poor
2016-09-11: Oriental Daily report about my campaign - and same day Editorial
2016-08-27: Oriental Daily article about court case and campaign
My
anti-drug campaign sites
(skillfully
managed by kind HK friends):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasmulas/
Facebook: AddisAbabaDrugTrade; KenyaDrugTrade; TanzaniaDrugTrade; JohannesburgDrugTrade; SaoPauloDrugTrade; MalaysiaDrugTrade; ThailandDrugTrade; HongKongDrugTrade; CambodiaDrugTrade; IndonesiaDrugTrade
http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm
----------------------
Photos
from my time in China 2001-20008
---------------------
---------------------
Australian Chinese for
Families Association
Gay marriage: Elephant in the room (by John W)
--------------------------------------------
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
|
On revolving map: Left click bottom right silver button Left click country Left click state/province ....till you find your city/town ! |
|
Left click this table of flags for details of hits on this main page
|
This website was launched in construction
mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ
the King.
The official launching
was
held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20,
2012.
Map and Flag Counter began Feb 11, 2012. Previous visits 4,932.
Note: counter on this page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this
main/index page.
Visits to other pages and to Facebook page are not
recorded.
This site's 2017
statistics.
Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile +852- 67095674
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .