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 Jan 19
I was at the High Court yesterday morning for the case of an
African man sentenced for drug trafficking to HK. He was given a 3 month
discount for help to my anti-drug campaign. From the High Court I went to the
nearby Chinese University office to enroll some prisoners for courses. Then to
Central to the Catholic Centre chapel and a bookstore. Then back to Admiralty to
spend time with Fr Franco Mella on his 11th (!) day of fasting to lobby Beijing
and HK to allow children born in China of HK parents to come to HK - see this
video report. Franco has had only water for the past 11 days!
28
more Covid cases in my area yesterday. I took a free test last Sunday
afternoon. Result yesterday morning - negative, Thank
you Jesus!
2
Iranians arrested for 250kg drugs from Iran
To
support the renting of rooms for homeless people are our items for sale on
Carousell:
Shop 1
Shop
2. Over the past 6 months,
the 2 shops have raised $74,000 to help MercyHK provide accommodation for
homeless people. God bless the shops' editors and customers!
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
130.
This implies taking certain
indispensable steps, especially
in response to those who are fleeing grave humanitarian crises. As examples, we
may cite: increasing and simplifying the granting of visas; adopting programs of
individual and community sponsorship; opening humanitarian corridors for the
most vulnerable refugees; providing suitable and dignified housing; guaranteeing
personal security and access to basic services; ensuring adequate consular
assistance and the right to retain personal identity documents; equitable access
to the justice system; the possibility of opening bank accounts and the
guarantee of the minimum needed to survive; freedom of movement and the
possibility of employment; protecting minors and ensuring their regular access
to education; providing for programs of temporary guardianship or shelter;
guaranteeing religious freedom; promoting integration into society; supporting
the reuniting of families; and preparing local communities for the process of
integration.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Wisdom
10-19: Wisdom has been present in the world since
the beginning of time.
Wisdom has always been a close friend of good people. Wise people see God in the beauty of
creation.
Foolish people are blind to God's presence in creation. Wise people ponder God's goodness and
kindness.
Wise people try to be good and kind to other people.
Lord, please help me see and
imitate your goodness and kindness
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
51: Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness,
and cleanse me of my sin. My offences truly I know them.
What is evil in your sight I have done. But in my defence please don't forget that
sinfulness is part of the human condition, part of our DNA. A pure heart create for me, O God.
Put a steadfast spirit within me. Give me again the joy of your help.
With a spirit of fervor sustain me.
Lord, you will not spurn
a humbled, contrite heart
Listen
Colossians
3-4:
Wives and
husbands, understand and support
each other. Children, be obedient to your parents.
Parents, treat your children fairly or else they will rebel.
Slaves, be obedient and respectful to your
owners.
Offer up your work to the Lord, our Heavenly Owner. Owners, be just and fair to your slaves.
Remember your Heavenly Owner
Jesus, help
families to live
together in harmony
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: Mean, stingy people are often critical of generous people
------------------------------
Fr Franco (see top of menu) has had only water for the past
11 days. To be honest, never in my whole life have I ever had only water for
even one day!
-------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Jan 18
More
Covid cases yesterday in my neighbourhood (& see Crosses)
Updated
January financial report for MercyHK
Wheelchair
man hauls himself 250 metres up HK skyscraper for charity
"It
was right to kill Gandhi" ... Hindu extreme nationalism ....
Pompeo
plans to be the next Trump - Simon Tisdall
Since the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus (Jan 10) a little song has been coming together in my brain over the past week. Yesterday I recorded it: The Baptism of Jesus
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
129. Complex challenges arise when our
neighbour happens to be an immigrant. Ideally, unnecessary migration ought
to be avoided; this entails creating in countries of origin the conditions
needed for a dignified life and integral development. Yet until substantial
progress is made in achieving this goal, we
are obliged to respect the right of all individuals to find a place that meets
their basic needs and those of their families, and where they can find
personal fulfilment. Our response to the arrival of migrating persons can be
summarized by four words: welcome, protect, promote and integrate.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Wisdom
8-9: From my youth I sought and loved Wisdom.
Wisdom teaches us temperance, prudence, justice and fortitude. I prayed for Wisdom like
this:
"God of our ancestors and Lord of mercy,
in Wisdom you made all things. Grant me Wisdom who was with you when you made
the world.
May she teach me what is right,
so that I may be a good ruler.
Lord, please give me Wisdom, as
you gave Wisdom to King Solomon
My
recording of this reading
Psalms 49-50: I will turn my mind to a parable,
with the harp I will solve a problem. The problem is: why do bad people prosper and
succeed? The answer: at the end of their lives bad
people will have to face death and judgement, just like everyone else. When we are rich, we often lack wisdom.
Wealth blinds our minds and hearts. Let's not forgot God and his laws.
Let's try to be good and lead good lives
Lord, please help me understand
the meaning of life
Listen
Colossians
3.15-16: May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts.
Always be thankful. Let the message of Christ, in all its
richness, find a home in you.
Help each other grow in wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts, sing songs to
God.
Jesus, live in my heart. Please live in
my heart
Listen
Matthew
19.27-29: On behalf of all the disciples, Peter asked
Jesus
"What about us? We have left everything to follow you." Jesus replied "You will be
leaders in the church on earth. Also, anyone who has left home, family
or country for the sake of my name,
will receive a 100-fold blessing in this life,
and will also receive eternal life in Heaven."
Jesus, please bless all Gospel
workers
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Colossians says to "sing songs". See my new song, at top, "The Baptism of Jesus"!
-------------------------
2021
calendar is exactly the same as 1971!!!!
--------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Jan 17
Yesterday was my Mum and Dad's 75th wedding anniversary, and my dear brother's birthday, so I went to St Paul's chapel for a special time of prayer ... and to remember Fr Bernie O'Brien (below). After which I joined nearly 20 other O.M.I.s for a 90 minute O.M.I. zoom meeting to discuss life in our Covid-19 world. At St Paul's I was pleased to see the local St Vincent de Paul group giving out meals for more than 100 poor people
Fr Bernie O'Brien O.M.I.,
who was a teacher at Iona College, Brisbane when I was a
student there, and with whom
I later taught at Iona, died yesterday morning in Melbourne. May his prayers on
the other side of the veil in Heaven help us on this side of the veil on earth. Biography
***
Photo with
Bernie and Fr Vin McGillicuddy in Guangzhou (1993?)
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
119. In the first Christian centuries, a
number of thinkers developed a universal vision in their reflections on the
common destination of created goods. This led them to realize that if one
person lacks what is necessary to live with dignity, it is because another
person is detaining it. Saint John Chrysostom summarizes it in this way: "Not
to share our wealth with the poor is to rob them and take away their livelihood.
The riches we possess are not our own, but theirs as well". In the
words of Saint Gregory the Great, "When we provide the needy with their
basic needs, we are giving them what belongs to them, not to us".
Bible Study: Mark 7
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. Readings for "Sunday
2"
1 Samuel 3: One day when the boy Samuel was
serving in the temple, the Lord called to him "Samuel, Samuel." The
boy thought it was the old priest Eli calling to him, so he ran to Eli and said
"Here I am." Eli replied
"I did not call you." Two more times the Lord called. Both times the
boy went to Eli. Eli now realized it was the Lord calling Samuel. Eli told
Samuel to say "Speak Lord, your
servant is listening" the next time he heard the voice.
Dear Lord, please help me to listen to your voice: your voice in the Bible,
in my conscience and in other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
40: I waited, I waited for the Lord and he
stooped down to me. He heard my cry. He
saved me from distress. He put fresh hope into my heart. How many, O Lord
my God, are the times you have helped me. They are too many for me to describe.
My God, in the depth of my heart I delight in your law. You do not want external
offerings. You want my heart. Lord,
I offer you my heart, my love. You deserve all my love
Recording
1
Cor 6.18-20: We should respect our
bodies as a gift from the Lord. Our bodies are not meant for fornication. Avoid
sexual activity that avoids commitment. Your
body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. Let people know
that your body is not something to be profaned
Jesus, please help me avoid sex outside marriage
Recording
John
1.35-51: John the Baptist told his
disciples Andrew and John that Jesus was the Chosen One of God. Andrew and
John then followed Jesus. Andrew took his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus changed
Simon's name to Peter, and Peter followed Jesus. Jesus met Philip and said
to him "Follow me". Philip called one more man, Nathanael
(Bartholomew) and said to him "we
have found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about. He is Jesus, son
of Joseph, from Nazareth"
Jesus, please help me introduce more people to know and love you
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: "Andrew took Simon to Jesus" - can we do anything more important than introduce someone to Jesus?
Bible commentary: 2nd Sunday of the Year
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and
Spanish
(+
Cantonese audio)
-------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
To
go with today's Gospel:
------------------------------
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 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 17th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Malawi
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Jan 16
One month ago Simon (my social work helper) and I attended a
meeting with representatives of St
James Settlement and ImpactHK, to
discuss the situation of homeless people in HK. Yesterday Simon, Sr Louise
(Simon's assistant), Emily (MercyHK helper) and I took part in a 2-hour zoom
meeting with St James, ImpactHK, the Salvation Army and many other NGOs which
serve the homeless. Aim is to form an association/platform of such NGOs to
promote cooperation, avoid duplication, and have one voice with which to
negotiate with the government for more help for the homeless.
Yesterday's figures and locations - notice 5
are in Temple Street ((MercyHK shop is No. 191 Temple St; my home 197))
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
The value of
solidarity
114. I would like especially to mention solidarity,
which, "as a moral virtue and social attitude born of personal conversion,
calls for commitment on the part of those responsible for education and
formation. I think first of families,
called to a primary and vital mission of education. Families are the first place
where the values of love and fraternity, togetherness and sharing, concern and
care for others are lived out and handed on. They are also the privileged milieu
for transmitting the faith, beginning with those first simple gestures of
devotion which mothers teach their children. Teachers,
who have the challenging task of training children and youth in schools or other
settings, should be conscious that their responsibility extends also to the
moral, spiritual and social aspects of life. The values of freedom, mutual
respect and solidarity can be handed on from a tender age. Communicators
also have a responsibility for education and formation, especially nowadays,
when the means of information and communication are so widespread".
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Wisdom
6-7: Listen, rulers of the nations, govern with
justice,
for you will be judged by the Lord. Rulers, if you want to govern successfully,
seek Wisdom and she will guide your decisions. A wise ruler is a blessing for his people.
The more wise people there are, the better our world will be. When I, Solomon, became a ruler,
I prayed for Wisdom. I prayed, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
In Wisdom's company, all good things came to me.
Lord, please give me the gift
of Wisdom
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
47-48: All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with
shouts of joy.
For the Lord, our Creator, we must love and honor,
great king over all the earth. Especially in his holy city is the Lord worthy
to be praised.
Praise is fitting in Mount Sion, our earth's most sacred site. O God, as we pray in your temple,
our hearts meditate on your love. May peoples and rulers everywhere
acknowledge and love you as Creator of the Universe
Let all the peoples praise you, Lord. Let all the peoples praise you
Listen
Colossians
3.12-14:
You are God's special friends. He loves you.
You should be clothed in sincere compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. Allow for other's weaknesses. Forgive each
other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you. You must
forgive others. Over all these clothes, to keep them together
and to complete them, put on love
Jesus, help me be a better and kinder
person
Listen
Matthew
19.16-26: A young man asked Jesus
"Master, what do I have to do to get to Heaven?" Jesus replied "Keep the commandments:
do not kill; do not commit adultery; honor your father and mother;
care for others as much as you care about yourself". The young man said "I have kept all these
commandments.
What else do I need to do?" Jesus said "If you want to do something
really special with your life, go and sell all your possessions, give the
money to the poor,
then come and follow me as one of my disciples". When the young man heard these words he went
away sad,
because he was very rich.
Jesus then said to his disciples
"It is hard for a rich person to get to Heaven".
Jesus, don't let riches endanger my
eternal life
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings:
May God give more and more
people the desire to do something really special with their lives
---------------------------
Simon
(my social work assistant) has astutely made an arrangement with one of the
landladies at the Alhambra Building (where MercyHK is renting 40 rooms for 60
homeless people) for the use of her (usually vacant) office any time we like ...
for a small monthly fee. So, most days I have a 10am meeting with Simon and Sr
Louise (Simon's assistant) in that office ... and I bring something from
McDonald's. I have named the office "McMercy"!
------------------------------
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 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, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Jan 15
Over
the past two weeks, there have been 80 Covid cases not far from my
home and MercyHK's shop in Temple Street, Jordan - report.
And see map in
this report. So, yesterday I paid a homeless person to
give out free Crosses in this area, Crosses put together by a team of homeless
people for this purpose - to protect us from the virus. More Crosses will be
given out in the coming weeks. Photos of the Crosses here
Pompeo
to succeed Trump? ... a danger to US and the world - Simon
Tisdal
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
113.
Here, regrettably, I feel bound to reiterate that "we have had enough of
immorality and the mockery of ethics, goodness, faith and honesty. It is time to
acknowledge that light-hearted superficiality has done us no good. Once
the foundations of social life are corroded, what ensues are battles over
conflicting interests". Let us return to promoting the good,
for ourselves and for the whole human family, and thus advance together towards
an authentic and integral growth. Every society needs to ensure that values are
passed on; otherwise, what is handed down are selfishness, violence, corruption
in its various forms, indifference and, ultimately, a life closed to
transcendence and entrenched in individual interests.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Wisdom 3-5: When good people die, they are in God's
hands.
Even if they died a tragic death, they are at peace. A long life is not what makes a person
honorable.
Honor is due to anyone of any age who is wise and understanding. On the other hand, arrogance and misuse of
wealth
bring dishonor, in this life and in the next. Our life is short. We must live it wisely and
well.
Dear Lord, please help me to
live my life wisely and not foolishly
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
46: (c.f.
famous hymn by Martin Luther "A Mighty Fortress is our
God", and also the hymn "Be Still and Know that I am
God")
God is for us a refuge and strength,
in time of distress he is a helper close at hand. Therefore we shall not fear even though the
earth should rock,
even though the mountains fall into the sea. The Lord of hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come and consider the works of the Lord
and always remember his words: "Be still and know that I am God".
Lord, help us to be more aware
of your presence,
especially when we are in trouble
Listen
Colossians 3.5-11:
Kill all the bad things that trouble earthly
life:
fornication, impurity, evil desires, greed, anger, bad
temper, spitefulness, abusive language, dirty talk and lying. You have deleted your old self, and have
downloaded a fresh copy of the divine image. That image is Christ. He must
be installed in every part of your life
Jesus, take over my life. Install yourself in
every part of my life
Listen
Matthew
19.13-15: Some people brought their little children to
Jesus.
They hoped Jesus would put his hands on the children and bless them.
Jesus' disciples told the people to go away
and not bother Jesus.
But Jesus said "Don't prevent the little children from coming to
me". Then he put his hands on them and blessed
them.
Jesus, please help all children
to know you from their earliest days.
Please don't let parents prevent children from coming to you.
Listen
Reflection
on the above Bible readings: Be
still and know (today's
psalm ... appropriately (c.f. Gospel) sung by children)
-------------------------
Two days ago when I used a taxi to go to Tai Lam women's prison,
the driver told me his son is a Correctional Services Department officer at Lai
Chi Kok men's prison! Small world!
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Jan 14
I spent 7 hours yesterday at Tai
Lam women's prison and when talking to one overseas inmate I was pleased to
know that her husband also in prison in HK (from the same overseas country) is
allowed to visit her for one hour (through glass + using phone) every 3 months
.... and they also have a monthly 20 minute video call. God bless HK CSD!
Arrested
US-born lawyer is former priest (and see this
video report)
Another
Nigerian Drug Lord killed in the Philippines
((yesterday at Tai Lam I visited 3 Filipinas who were recruited by a Nigerian in
the Philippines - not the one in this report - to bring drugs to HK))
Pope
Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
102. What would be the reaction to that same
story nowadays, in a world that
constantly witnesses the emergence and growth of social groups clinging to an
identity that separates them from others? How would it affect those who
organize themselves in a way that prevents any foreign presence that might
threaten their identity and their closed and self-referential structures? There,
even the possibility of acting as a neighbour is excluded; one is a neighbour
only to those who serve their purpose. The word "neighbour" loses all
meaning; there can only be "associates", partners in the pursuit of
particular interests.
------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
In the beginning was the Word
A
Japanese proverb: "I may not say much but don't mistake me for a
wall".
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Wisdom 1-2: Love virtue, honesty
and simplicity,
since God is found by people whose hearts are seeking goodness. Selfishness, dishonesty
and bad habits,
these close the door of our hearts and prevent Wisdom from entering. Bad people persecute
good people,
since the lives of good people are a reproach to bad people.
Lord,
please help me to be a good person
Recording
Psalm 42-45: Like a deer that longs for running
streams,
so my soul is longing for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for you, the God of my
life.
I think of you all the time, here in my land of exile. People make fun of us here in exile.
They taunt us saying "Where is your God?" Yet no matter what happens we will hope in you,
for you are our saviour and our God. No
matter where we are or what happens to us,
our hearts will long for you, like a bride longing for her groom.
Lord, no matter what happens,
may I always hope in you
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
Listen
Matthew 19.1-9: One day some religious leaders put Jesus to
the test by asking him
"Is it against the Law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife?" Jesus replied "God created male and
female, for the two to become united as one body. What God has
united, no one should separate." The leaders then asked
"But why did Moses allow divorce?" Jesus replied "Moses allowed divorce
because people were so hard of heart. But divorce was not God's
plan. So I say to you, anyone who walks out on their
partner and marries someone else, is guilty of adultery".
Jesus, please help married
people stay together
Listen
---------------
Comment
yesterday from one young HK local women in Tai Lam prison workroom with mainly
older women: I feel like I'm in an old person's home!
--------------------
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 14th 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Jan 13
I know of at least 6 homeless men who sleep in parks, in
doorways, on the footpath .... within 5 mins walk of my home... thinking about
them on these very cold nights sometimes keeps me awake. Nearby government
emergency shelter is open in this weather, but these guys decline the offer of
indoor accommodation. MercyHK is helping them with clothing and meals - photos
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
101.
Let us now return to the parable of the Good Samaritan, for it still has much to
say to us. An injured man lay on the roadside. The people walking by him did not
heed their interior summons to act as neighbours; they were concerned with their
duties, their social status, their professional position within society. They
considered themselves important for the society of the time, and were anxious to
play their proper part. The man on the roadside, bruised and abandoned, was a
distraction, an interruption from all that; in any event, he was hardly
important. He was a "nobody", undistinguished, irrelevant to their
plans for the future. The Good Samaritan transcended these narrow
classifications. He himself did not fit into any of those categories; he was
simply a foreigner without a place in society. Free
of every label and position, he was able to interrupt his journey, change his
plans, and unexpectedly come to the aid of an injured person who needed his
help.
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Song of Songs 8: Set me like a seal on your
heart,
like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as death.
Love is like a fire, a mighty flame. No flood can quench love.
No torrents can drown it. Money cannot buy love.
Lord, please fill my heart with
your love
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
41: Blessed the person who helps the poor and the
weak.
He himself will be helped by the Lord when he is sick and in trouble. The Lord will help him on his bed of pain.
The Lord will bring him back from sickness to health.
Lord, please help me to do more
for the poor
Listen
Colossians
2.9-18: In Christ's body lives the fullness of
divinity.
In him, you too find fulfillment. In baptism, you were buried with him and then
raised to new life.
Our real life is life with and in Christ. Be careful of people who are always going on
about some vision they have had, giving such visions more importance than
Christ himself
Jesus, may my focus always be on you
Listen
Matthew
18.21-35: Peter asked Jesus "How many times must I
forgive someone?
7 times?" Jesus answered "Not 7, but 77 times. For the kingdom of heaven is like a king who
cancelled the huge debt of one of his servants. But that same servant refused to cancel the
tiny debt of one of his fellow servants. So the king said to the servant:
'When you appealed to me, I had pity on you and cancelled your big
debt. But you refused to have pity on your fellow servant who asked
you for mercy. Therefore you must now go to prison until your big debt is
paid.' If you refuse to forgive other people,
you are making yourself ineligible for God's forgiveness.
Jesus, please help me to
forgive other people,
just as you forgive me....many times each day
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Beautiful song using words of today's first reading: Like a seal on your heart
---------------------------
I am finding this Winter in HK the coldest I can remember
for a long time .... maybe because for the past 6 years I have been away from HK
at this time of the year (visiting prisoners' families and doing anti-drug
publicity in other countries!)
-------------------------
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 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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Jan 12
HK is now in the middle of its usual short but sharp Winter ...
and government emergency shelters are open for overnight use by street sleepers.
But some street sleepers .. most of them with mental issues ... continue to
sleep rough ... endangering their lives. Yesterday Simon, my social work
assistant and Louise (Simon's assistant!) and I spent some time with such street
sleepers .... and helped some of them get more clothing. Last night I left some
socks with a man who was sleeping (soundly!) on a park bench under a single
blanket ... with his feet exposed to the cold. ***
MercyHK financial report for January - here.
Bullet-ridden
chapel on River Jordan holds first Mass since 1967
Trump
in trouble, but might wriggle free? - Simon Tisdall
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
98. I would like to mention some of those
"hidden exiles" who are treated as foreign bodies in society. Many
persons with disabilities "feel that they exist without belonging
and without participating". Much still prevents them from being fully
enfranchised. Our concern should be not only to care for them but to ensure
their "active participation in the civil and ecclesial community. That is a
demanding and even tiring process, yet one that will gradually contribute to the
formation of consciences capable of acknowledging each individual as a unique
and unrepeatable person". I think, too, of "the
elderly who, also due to their disability, are sometimes considered a
burden". Yet each of them is able to offer "a unique contribution to
the common good through their remarkable life stories". Let me repeat: we
need to have "the courage to give a voice to those who are discriminated
against due to their disability, because sadly, in some countries even
today, people find it hard to acknowledge them as persons of equal
dignity".
My article in today's Ming Pao newspaper has the topic: Pope's advice for 2021. 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
Song
5-7: The bride:
His conversation is sweetness itself,
my beloved is totally lovable.
I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine.
The groom:
You are beautiful, my love,
as beautiful as Jerusalem. How beautiful are your feet and thighs.
The curve of your thighs is like the curve of a necklace. Your navel is like an exquisite wine glass.
Your belly is like a heap of wheat. Your two breasts are like two baby deer.
Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are like beautiful water pools.
Your nose is like a majestic tower.
How beautiful you are, how charming,
my love, my delight.
Lord, please help me understand
how much you love me
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
40: I waited, I waited for the Lord and he
stooped down to me.
He heard my cry. He saved me from distress.
He put fresh hope into my heart. How many, O Lord my God, are the times you
have helped me.
They are too many for me to describe. My God, in the depth of my heart I delight in
your law.
You do not want external offerings.
You want my heart.
Lord, I offer you my heart, my
love. You deserve all my love
Listen
Colossians
2.6-8:
You must live your whole life according to the
Christ you have received - Jesus the Lord. You must be built on him and held firm by the
faith you have been taught. Make sure no one deceives you with any
teaching based on the principles of this world instead of on Christ
Jesus, please protect people from false
teaching
Listen
Matthew
18.1-10:
One day Jesus heard his disciples
arguing about which one of them was the most important. Jesus got a little child to sit in front
of them, and said "If you want to be great in God's eyes, become child-like.
In fact, unless you become child-like, you won't get to heaven. And make sure you never cause harm to children
like this one.
Remember, the protecting angels of children
are in the presence of my Father in heaven."
Jesus, please help me to be
more child-like,
and please don't let me ever cause harm to children
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: What
husband today would speak to his wife in the language of today's first reading?!
------------------------------
Q: What part of a woman is like a heap of wheat?
A: see today's first reading from Bible!
-------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------
----------------------------
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)) (blocked by FB Oct 2020)
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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .