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
MercyHK
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
Tues Sep 22
I spent yesterday afternoon at the Alhambra Building, giving out
invitations to all 46 homeless people now in rooms rented by MercyHK ( ...a job
I began two days ago) for the screening of "I'm
Livin' It" 麦路人
tomorrow. People I know who have seen the movie say it is really good ...
and really moving.
A
most important article: Chinese people inside and outside China were
insulted in the past .... and this helps explain Xi Jinping's
"expansionism"
My article in today's Ming
Pao newspaper has the topic: 
CE's Policy Address ... & McDonald's!
It's on Ming
Pao website - click "Australian in HK". Text
without recording
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Tobias
4: Tobit said to his son Tobias: "When I die give me an honorable burial.
Always honor your mother. When she dies, bury her at my side. Be faithful to the Lord all your days.
Always be willing to help poor people. Give your bread to those who are hungry
and your clothes to those who are naked. Ask advice of every wise person.
Bless the Lord God in everything. Beg him to guide your ways
and bring your paths and purposes to a successful conclusion. Avoid all loose conduct.
Do to no one what you would not want done to you. Choose a wife from our tribe, from our kin in
Media.
Go to Media, to my friend Gabael.
Many years ago I left 10 talents of silver with him.
This money is yours."
Dear God, please guide me
and help me to do what is right
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
86: Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer
for I am poor and needy.
O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of love to all who call to you. All the nations shall come to adore you
and glorify your name, O Lord,
you who alone are God. Show me, Lord, your way, and guide my heart
so that I may walk in your truth. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my
heart
for your love to me has been great. O give your strength to your servant
and save your handmaid's son.
Dear Lord, thank you for
all your
love
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
11.1-44:
Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived
in the village of Bethany. When Lazarus became very sick, the sisters sent
a message to Jesus "Lord, your dear friend is very sick". By the time Jesus and his disciples
arrived in Bethany,
Lazarus was dead and buried for 4 days. Martha said to Jesus "If you had been
here, my brother would not have died". Jesus replied "I am the resurrection and
the life. If anyone believes in me, he will have life after death". Jesus said to Mary and Martha "Where have
you put him?" Jesus cried as he went to the
tomb. The tomb was a
cave with a stone at the entrance. Jesus said "Take the stone away".
Then he called out in a loud voice "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, wrapped in burial
clothes. Jesus said "Unwrap him and let him go free"
Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life.
Please give eternal life to my friend (....name...) who died recently
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Jesus did not like funerals. He spoilt funerals (in a good sense). Someday we hope he will also spoil our remains whether they be bones or ashes .... to show that our funerals were not the last word.
------------------------------
Last night when I went to a local canteen for a meal,
there were only 5 other customers in the shop, all men .... and none of them
wearing a shirt! They laughed when I asked them publicly with a smile "Do
I need to take my shirt off?!"
-------------------------------
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 Sep 21
Yesterday morning I went to the home of a dear very ill friend to pray with him. Then had the pleasure of 3 special guests for a Pizza lunch in my home, followed by a visit to the Alhambra Building to give out flyers to homeless guests for Wednesday's free viewing of "I'm Livin' It" 麦路人. And to arrange a room for a new resident, whom I also took to the Gingko Restaurant on the 1/F of Alhambra to register for a free daily meal .... where yesterday a new record was set - 360 - for the number of free rice boxes with soup for poor people.
Click
"countries" here
for Covid-19 latest figures
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f.
readings for Feast of St
Matthew
Isaiah 51-52: Pay
attention to me, you peoples. Listen to me, you nations. The islands put their
hope in the Lord. They put their trust in his strength. How
beautiful on the mountains are the feet of one who brings good news, who
proclaims peace and salvation, and tells Zion "Your God is king!"
Break into shouts of joy, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord is redeeming his
people. All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Lord, may more and more people in more and more countries know you and love
you.
My
recording of this reading
Psalm 117: O
Praise the Lord, all you nations. Acclaim him, all you peoples! Strong is
his love for us. He is faithful for ever.
May all the nations love and praise you, Lord
Recording
Ephesians
4.1-16: I implore you to lead
a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete
selflessness, gentleness and patience. If
we live by the truth and in love, we shall become more and more like Christ.
We are parts of the Body of Christ. Christ is the head. Each part must do its
bit to keep the Body healthy and growing in love.
Jesus, help me understand how the Church is your Body
Recording
Matthew
9.9-13: One day when Jesus
was walking past a customs house he said to a
tax collector named Matthew "Follow
me". Matthew got up and followed Jesus. Matthew invited Jesus and Jesus'
friends to a dinner in his house. Some tax collectors and "bad" people
sat at Jesus' table. Religious leaders saw this and complained to Jesus' friends
"Why does your master eat with tax collectors and bad people?" Jesus'
answer was "It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and
think about the Bible words 'What I want is mercy, not sacrifice'. I have a
special concern for rejects and down-and-outs."
Jesus, please help religious leaders in today's world to care more about
people who are rejected by society
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
-------------------------
For
today's Feast of St. Matthew ... a way to remember the four Gospel writers:
Mathew, Mark, Luke and John
hold my horse while I get on!
--------------------
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 Sep 20
Yesterday afternoon I attended a most encouraging meeting aimed at helping to create employment for needy people.
Updated Sep financial report for MercyHK's 2nd hand shop at 191
Temple Street, Jordan - here.
God bless everyone involved in this beautiful project!
The film company which produced "I'm
Livin' It" 麦路人
is kindly arranging a free showing for about 50 homeless people and
representatives from NGO's next Wed in YMT. The company is being very kind to
MercyHK. I hope many HK friends will watch the movie at one of HK's 40 theatres
this week before it stops showing (.. movies in HK usually last only a week or
so ... and I'm Livin' It" was released on Sep 17)
Bible Study: Matthew
4
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 25
Isaiah
54-55: Though the mountains
may fall and the hills turn to dust, the love of the Lord will never cease. O
come to the water, all you are thirsty, though you have no money, come. Why
spend your money on what is useless, your wages on what fails to satisfy? Seek
the Lord while he is to be found. Call to him while he is near.
Lord, please help us give more time to things that are important ....and
less time to things that are not so important
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
145: I will give you glory, O God my king.
I will bless your name day after day. The Lord is great, worthy of all praise.
His greatness cannot be measured. Age to age shall proclaim your works, shall
speak of your splendor and glory. The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow
to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all
his creatures. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and tell all the
world of your love. The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his
deeds. The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. The
eyes of all creatures look to you
and you give them their food each day. The
Lord is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts. Let
the whole world bless the Lord's holy name,
for ever, for ages unending.
Thank you, Lord, for your love. Thank you for your love
Listen
Philippians
1.13-25: My chains have
become famous and have given courage to many other believers. Many others are
now becoming more daring in announcing the Message without fear. I hope and
trust that I will always have courage for Christ to be glorified in my body,
whether by my life or by my death. My
heart wants to go two ways. One part wants to depart this world and
live for ever with Christ in heaven. The other part wants to stay in this world
to help more people to know the Lord.
Jesus, give me courage in spreading the Good News
Listen
Matthew
20.1-16: Jesus said to his
disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to
hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them the normal daily wage. Then
about 9am he went again to the market place. He saw more men without a job.
He got them also to go to his vineyard. He promised to pay them a fair wage.
About noon and again about 3pm he once more went to the market place and
employed two more groups of men. About 5pm he went one final time and employed
one last group of men. At sunset when the men came to be paid, the owner paid
everyone a normal day's wage. This made the dawn group unhappy. They grumbled
and said "We have done a full day's work in the heat. Yet we got the same
as those who did only one hour's work. This is not fair!" The owner replied
"I am paying you what we agreed to. Why
do you begrudge my generosity?"
Jesus, please help me not to be jealous of your
gifts to others
Listen
Reflection on the above readings:
Some people "enter the kingdom" by water baptism or "baptism of desire" from their earliest childhood days. Others when they are teenagers, others when adults, others in old age. It's never too early ...or too late...to become friends with God. As long as we are alive in this world, God tries to establish/protect/restore/improve our friendship/love for him.
Video commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and Spanish (+ Cantonese audio)
Daniel Daring: Symphony for denarius (with Chinese text below English text)
-------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
If
today is Sunday, why isn't tomorrow
Moonday? (c.f. Spanish: Monday = Lunes ....
lunar....)
------------------------------
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 Sep 19
Yesterday afternoon accommodation was found at the Alhambra
Building in Yau Ma Tei for two more homeless men, so that MercyHK is now renting
24 rooms for 46 people. From the Alhambra Building I went to YMT picture theatre
to collect 86 tickets (= maximum capacity during Covid-19) for free showing next
Wednesday of "I'm
Livin' It" 麦路人
for around 60 homeless people and about 20 representatives of NGOs
and some media friends ... in the hope of lobbying the HK govt to do more to
help homeless people .... whose number keeps growing rapidly
Australian
judge resigns from top HK court 
Elderly
mules being recruited by Japan mafia?
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Tobit
2-3: One night when Tobit was resting,
sparrow droppings fell into his eyes and he became blind.
Some people made fun of Tobit for his misfortune.
Tobit humbly entrusted his life to the Lord. At the same time as Tobit was praying,
Sarah was praying in the town of Media. Sarah had been given in marriage 7 times
but all of her bridegrooms had been killed by the demon Asmodeus
before the couple could make love. The Lord heard the prayers of Tobit and Sarah
and sent the angel Raphael to help them.
Dear God, please help people
who are in difficult situations
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
85: I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace.
Peace for his people and his friends
and those who turn to him in their hearts. His help is near for those who love him
and his glory will dwell in our land.
Mercy and faithfulness have met.
Justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice shall look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps
Lord, please give more peace to
our world
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
10.23-38: When Jesus was walking in the Temple, some
religious leaders said to him "If you are the Christ, tell us
plainly". Jesus replied "I have told you, but you
do not believe me. The miracles I do in my Father's name also witness to
who I am. The Father and I are one". The leaders picked up stones to stone Jesus
and said "We will stone you for blasphemy. You are only a man
and you claim to be God". Jesus replied "If I am not doing my
Father's work, then do not believe me. But if am doing my Father's
work, you must know that the Father and I are one. He is in me and I
am in him"
Jesus, please help more people believe that
you are the Son of God
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: From the beginning of his life to the end, Jesus was persecuted by people who should have been the first to welcome him
---------------------------
A Franciscan, a Dominican and a Jesuit are walking together down a road. All of a sudden, an epiphany of the
Holy Family appeared in front of them. The Franciscan immediately collapsed to the ground, overcome by the extreme poverty that the
Son of God was born into. The Dominican immediately collapsed to the ground, overcome by the power of the
Holy Trinity as represented by the Holy family. The Jesuit walked over to the epiphany of the
Holy Family, put his hand on Joseph's shoulder, and said "Sir, have you given any thought about where
you'd like this child to attend school?"
------------------------------
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 Sep 18
Yesterday morning I was at the High Court in support
of an African man on a drug trafficking charge. Case was adjourned to give
Customs time to liaise with their counterparts in Africa for more information
that might help the man get a reduction
Thanks
to a kind initiative by film maker Kenneth
Bi, there will be a free screening next Wednesday in Yau Ma Tei for several
dozen homeless people ... of the movie "I'm
Livin' It" 麦路人,
about homeless people who sleep at McDonald's ... with the aim of urging the
government to care more for the growing number of homeless people in HK.
Collected from printer yesterday afternoon - my new name card (thank you Michelle!):
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Tobit 1: Tobit was a Jewish
exile living in the city of Nineveh in Assyria.
Even though other
Jewish exiles, even his own relatives,
neglected their religion, Tobit stayed loyal to
God.
Tobit also cared for
the poor and hungry.
And he made a special practice of burying the
dead.
Dear
God, please help me to be like Tobit:
loyal to you and caring for the poor
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
84: How lovely is your sacred temple, Lord.
My heart is longing to spend time in your holy dwelling. Even sparrows and swallows are your
temple guests.
They build homes for their young near your altar. Blessed are the people who live and work in
your temple.
And blessed, too, are people who keep the memory of your temple in
their hearts. As they go through the troubles of life,
you give them strength to face the trials of each day. Lord, one day within your temple
is better than a thousand anywhere else.
Dear God, thank you for special
places of prayer
Listen
Romans
8.26-29:
When we are not sure of what to say in prayer,
we ask the Spirit to pray in us. We know that by turning everything to their
good, God blesses everyone who loves him. God the Father wants us to become living
images of his Son, so that his Son will be the eldest of many brothers and
sisters
Jesus, brother Jesus, please help me to be
more like you
Listen
John
10.11-14: Jesus said to the religious leaders "I am
the Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. A hired man, since he has no real concern for
the sheep,
abandons them and runs away if he sees a wolf coming. I am the Good
Shepherd.
I know my own sheep, and my own sheep know me"
Jesus, Good Shepherd, please help me to be a
good sheep, and a good shepherd
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: The four-course meal, above, is so nourishing! Plenty to "chew over" through the day!
-------------------------
While other parts of the world are still in lockdown, HK is
just about back to normal as regards the number of people on the streets.
Yesterday as I negotiated my way along crowded footpaths, at one stage I started
thinking "where did they all come from?"!
-------------------------
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 Sep 17
Yesterday
I attended a lunch meeting to discuss the topic of HK's harsh sentencing policy
for drug mules ... and how to make that policy more compassionate. Late
afternoon I had a cup of tea with Chester Kung, founder of the NGO "Lok
Day" - FB here,
working to help people in the Yau Ma Tei area
A further five short video interviews in Cantonese with homeless
people at the Alhambra Building have been put on Youtube - here.
That makes 10 videos in all. Aim of the videos is to lobby the HK govt for the
2020 Policy Address (mid-Oct) to help the homeless. A message to this effect has
been put on the
govt Policy Address consultation site (and see 
below!)
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Nehemiah 7-13: The wall of Jerusalem was finally rebuilt
and doors were set in place in the wall.
In the seventh month of the lunar calendar
Nehemiah assembled all the people
and read to them the Book of the Law of Moses. This was the first time that most of the
people
had heard the words of Moses' Book. The people were grateful to God
and praised him with great happiness. The people also promised God
that they would serve him more faithfully in the future. But
while Nehemiah was away on a visit to the king
the people and leaders became careless about the Law. When
Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem
he brought the people back to proper observance of the Law
Dear God, may we find joy and
strength in reading the Bible
and may the world have more good leaders like Nehemiah
Recording
Psalms 82-83: God says to corrupt officials:
"How long will you judge unjustly and mistreat the poor?
You should do justice for the weak and the orphan.
You should defend the afflicted and the needy.
You should rescue the weak and the poor.
You should set them free from the hand of the wicked". O God, please protect your people from
corruption and injustice.
Save us also from attack by other nations.
Let everyone know that you are the Lord of all the earth.
Lord, please stop corrupt
officials from hurting people
Recording
Romans 8.14-21: Everyone moved by the Spirit is a child of
God.
The Spirit lets us use children's language to speak to God tenderly as "Abba, Father".
Since we are God's children, we are also his
heirs, coheirs with Jesus,
sharing his suffering so as to share his glory. What we suffer in this life can never be
compared with the glorious life we will have in heaven. The whole of creation looks forward to sharing
the same glory, to sharing immortality.
Abba, Father, may everyone love and honor you.
Help everyone get to heaven
Listen
John 10.1-10: Jesus said to the religious leaders "I
am the gate of the sheepfold. If anyone enters the sheepfold by some other
means than the gate, that person is a thief. The person who enters by the gate is the
shepherd of the flock. The sheep hear his voice as he calls each one by
name and leads them out of the sheepfold. When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of
them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy. I have come so that people may have life, not just now but for
ever".
Jesus, Good Shepherd, please help more and
more people hear your voice and follow you
Listen
---------------
Opens today in HK - "I'm
Livin' It" 麦路人
--------------------
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 Sep 16
Yesterday morning I was at the High Court for the sentencing of a
local HK man for local drug trafficking. A kind judge gave him a 2 month
reduction for his participation in my anti-drug campaign. Then I went to the
Malaysian Consulate in Wanchai to collect some items for prisoners. Then to the
Chinese University office in Admiralty to apply for certificates for some
prisoners. Then a lunch time meeting with key members of the No
More Mules team. Then to two bookstores ... and some quiet time at the
Catholic Centre Chapel in Central. Then back in Jordan for a few jobs on behalf
of MercyHK in its service of homeless people. With much of the day also given to
quite a few W/App and email other messages. No trouble sleeping last night!
US
& UK warn citizens: not safe to travel to HK!
Man
cleared of rape and murder after 37 years in prison
Cardinal
Tagle tests positive for Covid-19
New
Zealand churches join together to sing "The Blessing"
(recommended by a UK reader)
The
most corrupt nation in the world is .... the UK! - George
Monbiot
------------------------------
Chris
McDonnell
Following conscience on our journey of faith
Listen, follow, talk and listen again before taking action that solves nothing and only
leads to regret
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Nehemiah 6: As Nehemiah and the Jews rebuilt the wall
some people continued to obstruct them. But with God's help the wall was
finished in 52 days.
Dear God, please help us do
your work, despite difficulties
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
81: Ring out your joy to God our strength,
shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.
Listen to the voice of the Lord: "I am the Lord your God
who brought you out from the land of Egypt. Let there be no foreign god among you,
no worship of a false god. O that my people would heed me,
that Israel would walk in my ways. At once I would subdue their foes.
But Israel I would feed with finest wheat and honey".
Lord, please help us to walk in
your ways
Listen
Romans
8.9-13: You are on God's team. God the Father is
the manager.
Jesus is the captain. The Holy Spirit is
the coach, a coach
living in your heart. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the
dead, is living in you,
then he who raised Jesus from the dead will help
you live a risen life. By the grace of the Holy Spirit you can stop
doing bad things.
Holy Spirit of Jesus, Holy Spirit of the
Father, fall afresh on me!
Listen
John
9.1-33: Once when Jesus was walking along the road,
he saw a man who had been blind from birth. Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud
with the spittle. He put the mud on the man's eyes, and said
"Go and wash in the Siloam Pool". The blind man went and washed, and came away
able to see. When the blind man heard people criticize
Jesus, he said "Ever since the world began, it has never been
recorded that someone opened the eyes of a man born blind. This man must be from God"
Jesus, please heal my blind friend ....(name)
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Some writers say that just as a physical wall protected Jerusalem from danger, so there's a spiritual wall around us to protect us from danger ... a wall of grace. And some writers go further: they speak of a Living Wall protecting us ... the Holy Spirit
---------------------------
My case at the High Court yesterday had finished only a few
minutes when the fire alarm sounded. My first time to hear it at the High Court.
It meant the lifts could not be used. And I was on the 12th floor! So I took the
stairs to the ground floor .... at one stage through the stairway windows
sighting a fire truck heading along the main road below ... and then meeting
firemen at the lower floors. No fire, thank goodness. Just an electrical fault.
I was grateful that the building had not court
fire!
-------------------------
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 Sep 15
Short
video interviews in Cantonese here
with some of the 38 homeless people for whom MercyHK is providing accommodation
at the Alhambra Building in Yau Ma Tei. Aim of videos is to lobby government to
address the issue of homelessness in annual Policy Address to be published next
month. Many thanks to Emily (MercyHK volunteer) and film maker Kenneth
Bi for their dedicated work to produce these videos.
Life
inside HK prisons (basically correct, but a few
errors: e.g. young offenders are under 21, not 25; only men are sent to Lai Chi
Kok, not "all offenders"; sketch of day room is not accurate;
"hard labour" does not exist!
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Readings
for Feast of Mary of Sorrows
Hebrews 5.7-9: During his life on earth, Christ
offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud
and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of
death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was
Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he
became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
My
recording of this reading
.jpg)
Psalm 31: In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, hear me and speedily rescue me. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my rock, my stronghold. Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord. I trust in you, Lord. You are my God. My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.
Luke 2.33-35: As
the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were
being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: "You
see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in
Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - and
a sword will pierce your own soul too - so that the secret thoughts
of many may be laid bare."
Recording
John
19.25-27: Near
the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the
wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved
standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, this is your
son". Then to the disciple he said, "This is your mother".
And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
A traditional prayer on this day: The Stabat Mater which has the words:
O
dear Mother, fount of love.
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:
Make
me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.
------------------------------
At McDonald's for morning tea yesterday I learnt that the
temperature test machine will show the same result for your forehead and your
wrist, but a slightly lower result for the palm of your 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
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 Liaoning
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Zimbabwe
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Sep 14
Yesterday
afternoon I was again at the Alhambra Building in Yau Ma Tei, where MercyHK is
renting 25 rooms for about 40 homeless people. I was with Emily (a MercyHK
volunteer) and Michael (MercyHK advisor) for the making of 6 more video
interviews with homeless people .... with the aim of urging the HK govt to do
more for the growing homeless population in HK. The final 2 interviews were with
2 men not long released from detention ....jobless, homeless and hungry .... for
whom a room had just been made available at Alhambra. Followed by a cafe meal,
followed by a visit to our shop at 191 Temple Street where the men obtained
clothing and other items free. God bless all the volunteers, workers, donors and
patrons who help the little shop to continue sailing smoothly and
successfully.
"Draconian,
inhumane":
(Notice
reference to Voice for Prisoners,
an NGO to which I belong)
Click
"countries" here
for Covid-19 latest figures
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Readings
for Feast of
The Cross
Numbers 21: In
order to avoid the land of Edom, the Israelites headed towards the coastline.
But the people again criticized God and Moses. So God sent snakes among the
people, and many people died. The people then said to Moses "We have
sinned; please pray for us to save us". Moses prayed for them, and God
heard his prayer. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone
bitten by a snake could then look at the bronze snake and live.
Jesus' words (John 3.13):
"The Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him".
Recording
Psalm
78b: May future generations
not be like our ancestors who so often were unfaithful to God. Even though our
ancestors had seen God part the sea, even though they had seen him provide food
and water for them in
the desert, still they went on sinning. Yet he who is full of compassion
forgave and spared them. He remembered they were only weak humans. Eventually he
brought them to the promised land and gave a home to each of Israel's tribes.
But still they sinned by building mountain shrines and serving idols. Then God
raised up David to be their leader. God called him from looking after sheep to
be the shepherd of his people.
Lord, help us not to forget all you have done for us
Recording
Philippians
2.6-11: His state
was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God, but
emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and
became as humans are. And being as all humans are, he was humbler yet, even to
accepting death, death
on a cross. But God raised him high, and gave him the name which is
above all other names, so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the
underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus, and that every tongue
should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Recording (song: The
Philippians Hymn)
John
3.13-17: Jesus said
to Nicodemus: "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down
from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the
Son of Man must be lifted up, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him". Yes, God
loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his
Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world
might be saved.
Jesus, only Son of God the Father,
thank you for coming into this world. Please help more and more people believe
in you
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
For today's Feast of The Cross, a beautiful poem: Retreat by James McAuley
Soon
you must return to tasks
That sicken and appall:
The calumnies will never cease,
Look only to the sign of peace,
The Cross upon
the wall.
This
is that sole instrument
That measures every chart;
This square and level overrules
The subtle calculus of fools
By a celestial art.
-------------------------
Q: Which South American country sells doors?
A: Ecuador!
--------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
============
On-going project to help homeless people in YMT-Jordan area
========
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:
Aug 16, 2020: CNN - Indonesian women recruited to take drugs to Hong Kong
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: Chinese no more mules page
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
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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.
Map and Flag Counter began Feb 11, 2012. Previous visits 4,932.
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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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .