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,
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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
MercyHK's shop at 191 Temple Street, Jordan is closed for the time being because of the number of Covid-19 cases in our area
Tues Jan 26
When
the Jordan lockdown rules allowed me to leave my home two nights ago around
6.30pm, I went for a walk around the restricted zone ... and located some street
sleepers ... then bought and delivered rice boxes for them. But one sleeper, A-Ming,
was on the other side of Woosong Street, just outside the restricted zone. So I
asked a lady walking on the street outside the police boundary tape to take the
rice box across the street to A-Ming. I did not know in advance she was a
journalist. She very kindly posted this
FB report, which has many comments mentioning MercyHK
See menus of Jan 25 and 24, below, for my previous reports about the Jordan lockdown
To
support MercyHK renting rooms for homeless people, see our updated list of items for sale
on Carousell:
Shop
1 Shop
2
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
165. The Good Samaritan needed to have a
nearby inn that could provide the help that he was personally unable to offer. Love
of neighbour is concrete and
squanders none of the resources needed to bring about historical change that can
benefit the poor and disadvantaged
My article in today's Ming Pao newspaper has the topic: Hello from Jordan lockdown! 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
2 Timothy 1.1-5 (for
feast of Timothy and Titus): From
Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, to Timothy,
dear child of mine in the faith, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the
Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. I
always remember your sincere faith. It came first to live in your
grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and now in yourself.
Jesus, thank you for parents who pass on the faith to their children
My
recording of this reading
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. Now that I am old and grey-headed,
may I continue to trust in you and proclaim your help. To you I will sing with the harp.
All day long my tongue will tell of your goodness to me.
Lord, may all elderly people
put their trust and hope in you
Listen
Titus
1.1-9: From
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to
Titus, true child of mine in the faith we share, wishing you grace and
peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Saviour. The reason I left
you behind in Crete was for you to appoint elders in every town: each of them a
man of irreproachable character, married only once, not arrogant or
hot-tempered, not a heavy drinker, not out to make money. A man who is
hospitable and a friend of all that is good; sensible, devout, with a firm grasp
of the Good News, a good teacher, able to refute people who argue against sound
doctrine.
Jesus, please help all pastors be good
"elders"
Listen
Matthew
22.34-40:
In Jerusalem a religious leader
asked Jesus
"Which is the most important commandment?" Jesus replied
"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart.
And you must care as much about others as you care about yourself. These are the two most important
commandments.
All other commandments depend on these two."
Jesus, please help me love you with all my heart
and care for others as much as I care about myself
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Would that the Catholic
Church would follow the advice of Paul to Titus in the selection of elders/clergy
------------------------------
The government bag of food items for people in the Jordan
lockdown included a can of baked beans. I had half a can for lunch on Sunday,
the other half Sunday evening ... each half on slices of cheese which were on
slices of lovely fresh bread.
-------------------------------
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 26th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of ubei
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 26th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Guinea
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
MercyHK's shop at 191 Temple Street, Jordan is closed for the time being because of the number of Covid-19 cases in our area
Mon Jan 25
After 2 days of being part of the Jordan lockdown, my
neighbours and I were allowed to leave our homes and walk around the streets
from about 6.30 last night. But I did not go outside the test area. Spent much
time finding street sleepers then buying and delivering meals to them. And I met
some of the friendly CSD staff who have been part of the team
supervising/guarding the zone! *** Can
leave zone
Update nearly two hours later: just when I was about to put this blog and myself to bed, I had a call from one of the kind CSD officers: could I use about 20 (staff) rice boxes they had left over? So I went and gave out the boxes to a number of homeless people, including a group of drug users who sleep on the steps of YMT clinic ... for which I had to register on leaving and re-entering the test area. Lunch boxes were top meals. Thank you CSD!
Boss
of Asia-Pacific drug syndicate arrested
One of my favourite drinks - especially in cold weather - Ginger
made by a Christian group in China (available in supermarkets in HK)
Updated
January financial report for MercyHK
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
162. The biggest issue is employment. The
truly "popular" thing - since it promotes the good of the people - is
to provide everyone with the opportunity to nurture the seeds that God has
planted in each of us: our talents, our initiative and our innate resources.
This is the finest help we can give to the poor, the best path to a life of
dignity. Hence my insistence that, "helping the poor financially must
always be a provisional solution in the face of pressing needs. The
broader objective should always be to allow them a dignified life through work"
On this day in 1816 in France was born the group that became the
Oblates of Mary
Immaculate
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Conversion of St Paul
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
Acts
9.1-19: Paul kept up
his campaign against the Lord's disciples. He got the ok to arrest followers of
the Way in Damascus. But on his way to Damascus, a light from heaven surrounded
him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying "Paul, Paul, why are
you persecuting me?" He said "Who are you, Lord?" The voice
replied "I am Jesus, and
you are persecuting me. Go into Damascus and you will be told what to
do". Paul's eyes were open, but for more than a day he was without his
sight, and he ate and drank nothing. The Lord got Ananias, a disciple in
Damascus, to visit Paul and pray for him. The Lord said to Ananias "Paul
is my chosen instrument to bring my name to non-Jews and Jews. He will suffer
much for me". Ananias went to Paul and prayed for him
with the laying on of hands. Straight away, Paul could see again. Then Ananias
baptized him.
Jesus, please help me understand how
unkindness to others is unkindness to you
Recording
Mark
16.9-20: After he
rose from the dead, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had
cast out 7 devils. Next he appeared to two of his disciples while they
were on a journey. Then he appeared to the 11 apostles. He said to them "Go
everywhere in the world. Proclaim the Good News to all creation. Anyone who
believes and is baptized, will be saved. Anyone who refuses to believe, will be
condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my
name they
will cast out devils, they
will have the gift of tongues, they
will pick up snakes in their hands, they will be unharmed if they drink
poison, they will lay their
hands on the sick, who will be healed". And so, the Lord Jesus,
after he had spoken to them, was taken up to heaven, while they, going out,
preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming their message by
the miracles that accompanied the message
Lord Jesus, may more and more people all over the world believe in you
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Jesus, please bless Xi Jin Ping and people like him, the same way as you blessed St Paul!
-------------------------
In Johor, Malaysia, a family's main door lock was damaged. They had to urgently attend a function in Kuala Lumpur & locking the door was not possible.
The family cleverly put a notice on the door: "Covid 19 positive, Do Not Enter" .. and left.
On return, they found a new notice replacing the old one:
"Sanitization done, house is cleaned & emptied"
--------------------
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 25th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Ningxia
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 25th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Comoros
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
MercyHK's shop at 191 Temple Street, Jordan is closed for the time being because of the number of Covid-19 cases in our area
Sun Jan 24
Today is Day Two of a 48 hour lockdown of my area in Jordan.
Yesterday I
had test, got tag and food items. Was lovely to have more than an hour out
in the beautiful sunshine. The whole operation went very smoothly and the staff
(from Fire Dept, Police, Customs, Immigration and CSD) were most polite and
friendly. My test (the 3rd in a week!) was negative - thank you Jesus! In
response to a message from HKO1 yesterday
morning I answered a few questions - leading to this
report in Chinese. Lockdown experience has made me more appreciative of the
situation in other countries where people have/had long lockdowns. English
report on Jordan lockdown
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
154. The development of a global community
of fraternity based on the practice of social friendship on the part of peoples
and nations calls for a better kind of
politics, one truly at the service of the common good. Sadly, politics
today often takes forms that hinder progress towards a different world.
Bible Study: Mark 8
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 3 (Word of God Sunday)
Jonah 2-4: God arranged for a big fish to swallow Jonah.
Jonah was in the fish for 3 days. Inside the fish, Jonah prayed to God for help.
God heard Jonah's prayer and got the fish to vomit Jonah on the shore. Again God told Jonah to preach repentance in
Nineveh.
This time Jonah did as God requested.
"Forty days and Nineveh will be destroyed" he proclaimed. The people of Nineveh believed God's message.
They put on sackcloth and ashes. They fasted and prayed.
They repented of their evil behavior. God saw their change of heart and spared
Nineveh.
Jonah complained to God:
"Your change of mind will cause me a big loss of face." God said to Jonah:
"Do I not have the right to show compassion to my people?"
Lord, please help me repent of
bad behavior
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
24-26: The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples.
It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe. May all hearts open their doors to the Lord.
Let him enter, the king of glory. Lord I hope in you all the day long.
Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth.
God my savior, teach me your
way of truth
Listen
1
Corinthians 7.29-31: Our time is growing
short. Those who have wives should live as though they had none, and those who
mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for; those who are
enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about; those
whose life is buying things should live as though they had nothing of their own;
and those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. I
say this because the world as we know it is passing away.
Mark
1.14-20: Jesus went to Galilee and proclaimed the Good
News from God.
"The time has come" he said "and the kingdom of God is
close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good
News." As he was walking along by the sea of Galilee,
he saw two fishermen Simon and his brother Andrew. Jesus said to
them "Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men".
Simon and Andrew then followed Jesus.
Going a little further, Jesus saw two more fishermen James and his brother
John. He called them also to follow him. They left their nets and
boat and followed him.
Jesus, please bless all the
people who work full time as "fishers of men"
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: The main theme of today's readings is "repent and live a life of goodness". Not a once-in-a-life-time thing, but an every-moment-of-every-day thing
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
-------------------------------
Lockdown
has also helped me better appreciate situation of all my dear friends in prison!
And to think that CSD staff are part of team supervising my lockdown!!!
------------------------------
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 24th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Inner
Mongolia
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Zambia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Jan 23
My
area under lockdown today and tomorrow!
(My
home has plenty of food, but I am looking forward to free meals from
government!)
My
area of Jordan/Yau Ma Tei might be put under lockdown?! ***
Last night there was a line of several dozen customers at the nearest grocery
store near my home ... stocking up in case of a lockdown
Twenty years ago today I began www.china8.org
which needs a bit of updating but has many thousands of photos of my time
2001-2008 in Zhaoqing, 2 hours from HK. China8.org also hosts my
original blog/diary, which began in 2001
Coffee
with God! - daily readings and reflections
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
152. In some areas of our cities, there is
still a lively sense of neighbourhood. Each person quite spontaneously perceives
a duty to accompany and help his or her neighbour. In places where these
community values are maintained, people experience a closeness marked by
gratitude, solidarity and reciprocity. The neighbourhood gives them a sense of
shared identity. Would that
neighbouring countries were able to encourage a similar neighbourly spirit
between their peoples! Yet the spirit of individualism also affects
relations between countries. The danger of thinking that we have to protect
ourselves from one another, of viewing others as competitors or dangerous
enemies, also affects relations between peoples in the same region. Perhaps we
were trained in this kind of fear and mistrust.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Sirach
8-9: Do not look down on an old person.
Old age is our common destiny. Do not discuss your affairs with everyone you
meet.
Be careful when you ask advice. Do not look lustfully at a
woman.
Do not stare at the beauty which belongs to someone else.
Lord, please help me control my
tongue and my eyes
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.
O God come to our
assistance. Lord make haste to help us
Listen
1
Thessalonians 3.11-13:
May God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ
make it easy for us to visit you again.
May the Lord be generous in increasing your love, and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we
love you. May the Lord so confirm your hearts in
holiness, that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father
when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints
Jesus, please increase my love for the whole
human race
Listen
Matthew 21.12-16: When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he went to
the Temple.
In the Temple there were money changers, and people selling pigeons. Jesus tipped over their tables
and drove them out of the Temple.
He said to them "My house is a house of prayer,
but you have turned it into a place for robbery". Blind and lame people came to
Jesus in the Temple.
He healed them all. Then he went out of the city to
the village of Bethany
and spent the night there.
Jesus, please protect all
places of prayer from corruption
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Today's Gospel reminds me of T.B. Joshua, "the third wealthiest pastor in Nigeria"
---------------------------
Yesterday
while doing some office work I listened to this
work by Vivaldi (12m views!). Link has image of Winged Lion (Venice ... St
Mark...) at top. Prompting one comment: My
Cat turn into a Winged Lion when he heard this
------------------------------
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 23rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 23rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Djibouti
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Following advice from our local district councillor, MercyHK's shop at 191 Temple Street, Jordan is closed for the time being because of the number of Covid-19 cases in our area
Fri Jan 22
Yesterday
with a very special group of friends associated with my NGOs MercyHK
& Voice
for Prisoners I
went to Cheung Chau Island for a work meal and meeting .... observing social
distancing. After lunch at the Vietnamese Canteen which MercyHK used to operate
but which is now operated by the Salesians, we visited the Mercy Centre where 5
former prisoners now live ... discussing the possibility of job opportunities
for these 5 and others who might soon be joining them. Our day concluded with a
prayerful visit to Our Lady of Fatima church at its beautiful location beside
the sea. Thank you Jesus for a very happy day!
Last night I watched the
funeral service of Fr Bernie O'Brien
O.M.I. which was held in Melbourne yesterday
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
137.
Mutual assistance between countries proves enriching for each. A country that
moves forward while remaining solidly grounded in its original cultural
substratum is a treasure for the whole of humanity. We need to develop the
awareness that nowadays we are either all saved together or no one is saved. Poverty,
decadence and suffering in one part of the earth are a silent breeding ground
for problems that will end up affecting the entire planet. If we are
troubled by the extinction of certain species, we should be all the more
troubled that in some parts of our world individuals or peoples are prevented
from developing their potential and beauty by poverty or other structural
limitations. In the end, this will impoverish us all.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Sirach 6-7: Let your acquaintances be many,
but your advisers one in a thousand. A faithful friend is a sure shelter.
People who love and honor the Lord,
will find a faithful friend. From your youngest days, seek wisdom.
If you love listening, you will find wisdom. Stretch out your hand to help poor
people.
Console people who are sad. Visit the sick. In everything you do, remember the purpose of
life
and you will avoid evil.
Dear Lord, please help young
people to seek wisdom
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
66-68: O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shine its light upon us. Let all the peoples praise you, O God.
Let all the peoples praise you. O sing to the Lord, make music to his name.
Rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence. Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,
God provides a shelter for the homeless. God gives his people strength.
May all the peoples of the
earth know you and praise you, O God
Listen
1
Thessalonians 1.7 - 2.12: You are a great example to other
believers,
since it was from you that the word of the Lord spread to many places. Everyone knows how we planted the Good News in
your hearts, and
how you broke with idolatry and became servants of the living God. Let me remind you how we loved and served you,
like loving parents caring for their dear children
Jesus, thank you for the people who nurtured
me as a Christian
Listen
Matthew
21.1-11: Jesus sat on a donkey colt for the trip down
the hill
from the Mount of Olives to the city of Jerusalem. This was as a prophet had
predicted:
"Look, your king is coming, humbly riding a peaceful donkey". Big crowds accompanied Jesus down
the hill.
People spread their clothes on the road as a sign of honor. People cut branches from the
trees and waved them singing
"Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of
the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!" People in the city asked
"Who is he?"
The crowd answered "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in
Galilee".
Jesus, may you be warmly welcomed by every place and every person in the world
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Sirach today reminds us that helping the poor is a basic value of the Jewish-Christian tradition
-------------------------
Pope Francis has dedicated 2020 as the Year of Saint
Joseph. The USA has taken this message very seriously .... by installing a
Joseph as President!
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Following advice from our local district councillor, MercyHK's shop at 191 Temple Street, Jordan is closed for the time being because of the number of Covid-19 cases in our area
Thu Jan 21
Covid
situation in area near my home might last for 2 weeks! Yesterday
I spent an hour with an elderly homeless lady giving out about a
hundred free Crosses in the market area of nearby Reclamation Street -
asking Jesus' help for the residents as they fight the pandemic. I had planned
to dress in my O.M.I. soutanne, cincture and large Cross, but I remained in
simple dress to stay under the radar of the many media people in the area. And
see 
below!!!
Taiwan
has had only 7 deaths, compared
with 91,000 in the UK. This
article by George Monbiot explains why
India's
cricket victory over Australia in Brisbane this week - as reported by The
Times of India
Pope
Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
135. Here I would mention some examples that
I have used in the past. Latino culture is "a ferment of values and
possibilities that can greatly enrich the
United States", for "intense immigration always ends up
influencing and transforming the culture of a place. In Argentina,
intense immigration from Italy has left a mark on the culture of the society,
and the presence of some 200,000 Jews has a great effect on the cultural 'style'
of Buenos Aires. Immigrants, if they are helped to integrate, are a blessing, a
source of enrichment and new gift that encourages a society to grow"
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Sirach 4-5: Water puts out a fire.
Almsgiving makes up for sins.
Do not refuse to help a poor person. Some people are all
talk and no action.
Some people are lions at home but sheep in society. Do not give your heart
to money.
Do not let passion rule your life. Be quick to listen, but
slow to speak.
Keep your temper under control.
Lord, please help me to be kind
and sincere
Recording
Psalms 61-65: O God, hear my cry,
you who are my refuge and help. In you alone is my soul
at rest. My help comes from you. Take refuge in God,
everyone in trouble.
Trust him at all times. O God, you are my God,
for you I long.
My body and soul thirst for you
like a dry, weary land without water. Your love is better
than life,
my lips will speak your praise. On my bed I remember
you.
On you I muse through the night. You are the Creator of
the world.
You care for the earth, you give it water. To you our praise is
due,
wherever we are on earth.
Lord, my
soul clings to you. Your right hand holds me fast
Recording
Thessalonians 1.1-6: From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy
to the Church of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
in Thessalonika. Wishing you grace and peace. In my prayers for you, I thank God our Father
for your faith in action, your work for love, and your
persevering hope. When we brought the Good News to you, it came
to you not just as words, but as power from the Holy Spirit. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, you accepted
the Good News,
despite great opposition from many quarters
Jesus, help people accept the Good News,
despite opposition
Listen
Matthew 20.29-34: As Jesus was leaving Jericho on his way
to Jerusalem,
many people followed him along the road. Sitting by the road were
two men who had become blind.
When they heard that Jesus was going past,
they called out "Son of David, have pity on
us." Some people tried to stop them
from calling out,
but they shouted even more loudly "Son of David, have pity on
us." Jesus stopped and said to them
"What do you want me to do for you?" They
replied "Lord, let us see again". Jesus felt sorry for them.
He touched their eyes and straight away their sight returned.
Jesus, please heal my blind friend ....(name)....
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: In the history of the world, has anyone else been able to heal blindness?
---------------
My
companion giving out Crosses yesterday, A-Mei, was carrying board below. We had
a good laugh when one local lady, in all seriousness, said no need to give her a
Cross because .... she didn't have ... a .... dog! She thought the Crosses were
for dogs!
--------------------
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 21st 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 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Gambia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Following advice from our local district councillor, MercyHK's shop at 191 Temple Street, Jordan will be closed from today until further notice
Wed Jan 20
MercyHK's shop (191 Temple St) and my home (197) are just outside
a compulsory testing area bounded by Temple St, Pak Hoi St, Reclamation St and
Ning Po St. Map
of this area. *** May
Jesus' Cross protect everyone in this area!
Yesterday I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison from 10am to 4.30pm
... as usual coming away with a pile of jobs (e.g. mitigation letters for when
prisoners are sentenced)
Kenya
police seize drugs destined for Australia and India
Well
done India in beating Australia at cricket in Brisbane!
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
131.
For those who are not recent arrivals and already participate in the fabric of
society, it is important to apply the concept of "citizenship", which
"is based on the equality of rights and duties, under which all enjoy
justice. It is therefore crucial to
establish in our societies the concept of full citizenship and to
reject the discriminatory use of the term 'minorities', which
engenders feelings of isolation and inferiority. Its misuse paves the way for
hostility and discord; it undoes any successes and takes away the religious and
civil rights of some citizens who are thus discriminated against"
------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
The time of reckoning
Where was the voice of the US hierarchy during the years of this emerging
aberration?
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Sirach 1-3: All wisdom comes from God.
Love for God is the source of wisdom. If you desire wisdom, keep the Lord's
commandments,
in private as well as in public. Keep the commandment to honor your
parents.
Respect for your father will atone for your sins.
Honor for your mother will gain you blessings. Support your father in his old age.
Even if his mind should fail, show him kindness.
Do not despise him in your health and strength. Be gentle in the way you live your life.
The greater you are, the more humbly you should behave.
Dear
God, please help me always respect and honor my parents
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
52-60: Lord, I will tell everyone about how good you
are.
You are our Creator. Everyone should love you. Thank you for so often rescuing me from
trouble.
You uphold my life. Sometimes I have so many troubles and cares
that I can't get to sleep.
Sometimes I wish I was a bird and could fly away to a safe place. When I fear, I will trust in you,
in you whose word I praise. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise. Each morning I will sing of your strength,
and each morning acclaim your love.
O God, please help me to praise
and love you every day
Listen
Colossians
4.3-21: Pray for me, in my chains,
that I may proclaim the message of Christ as clearly as I should. Be tactful with people who are not Christians.
Use friendly conversation with them. Greetings from the believers here with me.
Greetings to all the believers in your area. Grace be with you all
Jesus, may my conversation with non-Christians
help them know you
Listen
Matthew
20.20-28:
The brothers James and John were two of Jesus'
disciples.
One day their mother said to Jesus
"When you become king, allow my sons to sit at your right and
left". Jesus said to James
and John
"Only my Father in heaven can allocate seats on my right and
left". The 10 other disciples were angry
at James and John for seeking honor. So Jesus said to them all.
"In most places, people in power like to dominate and control others.
But this is not to be your way of exercising authority. You must exercise authority by
serving others, not dominating them,
just as I came not to be served, but to serve,
and to give my life as a ransom for the world".
Jesus, please help me want to help and serve
other people, not dominate and control them
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Colossians' "proclaim the Message of Christ as clearly as we should" is echoed in the words of St. Eugene de Mazenod "Leave nothing undared to proclaim the Kingdom of God"
---------------------------
Like many other Australians I was supporting India in
yesterday's cricket match in Brisbane (see above). Why? Because the Australian
team has become notorious for bad sportsmanship .... and India has been courage
personified!
-------------------------
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 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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
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.
-----------------------
----------------------
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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .