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
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April 6
Easter Tuesday
Good news: Bishop Joseph Ha has kindly agreed to bless MercyHK's
little multi-purpose room ("The Doctor Jesus Centre") at 187 Temple
Street, just near our shop at 191 Temple Street. The ceremony will take place at
the end of this month. Renovation of the room is going really well and the room
is looking more and more beautiful each day.
New
blogs from Sr. Anastasia, M.M. (黄修女）
01
02
03
04
Wear
mask & Cross! (and see 
below!)
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Jeremiah
12-14: Lord, you are in our midst, we are called by your name.
Please give us help and strength in this time of trouble. Wherever I go I see sadness and despair.
Our land has been invaded by the foreign soldier. If I go into the countryside,
I see men killed by the sword. If I go into the city,
I see people sick with hunger. O God, you are our hope.
For your name's sake, please forgive us and help us.
Lord, please help people
whose countries
are under occupation by foreign soldiers
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
128: O blessed are those who love the Lord and
walk in his ways. By the labor of your hands you shall eat.
You will be happy and prosper: your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of
your house;
your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed
the people who love and honor the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days
of your life.
May you see your children's children in a happy Jerusalem!
On Israel, peace!
Dear Lord, may all married
people live to see their children's children
Listen
Hebrews
13.8-21:
Jesus Christ is the same today as he was
yesterday and as he will be for ever. Do not let yourselves be led astray by strange
doctrines
that teach a different Jesus. Jesus died outside the city. Let us go to him
and share his rejection. Our life in this world is a temporary
arrangement, like a tent. We look for a permanent home in the life to come.
Keep doing good works and sharing your
resources
God of peace, you brought Jesus back from the dead to be our great Shepherd and
Priest. Make
me ready to do your will in any kind of good action
Listen
John 20.11-18: Peter and John
went home. Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb, crying. When she looked inside
the tomb, she saw two angels in white. She also saw Jesus standing there, though
she did not recognize him. Jesus said "Woman, why are you crying?".
Mary thought he was the gardener so she said to him "If you have taken him
away, tell me where you have put him". Jesus said "Mary"
and she recognized him. Jesus then said "I will ascend to my Father".
Mary went and told the disciples all she had seen and heard.
Jesus, please bless people who are crying at funerals today. May awareness of
your presence bring them peace and strength for the days ahead
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings: 
Thine
Be the Glory (Easter song -
Chinese version very popular in HK)
------------------------------
I shave each morning. I rarely shave a second time. The
second last last time I did so was maybe a year or two ago ... I can't remember.
But since I was due to help with baptisms and confirmations at last Saturday
night's Easter Mass at St Paul's Parish ... with photos being taken ... I had a
shave before going to the church so as to look more respectable. But as I walked
to the church I thought to myself "You idiot. No need to shave. You'll be
wearing a mask"!
-------------------------------
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 6th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hainan
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 6th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Liberia
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
April 5
Easter Monday
I
wish all dear readers A Happy Easter!
Not in New Testament, but it must have happened: Mother and Son (notice his hand ...)
HK
police seize record 700kg of cocaine
Helping MercyHK rent rooms for
homeless people - Carousell:
Shop 1
Shop
2 (updated lists)
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Jeremiah
8-11:
Jeremiah said sorrowfully: My people have forgotten God.
My people ignore God.
My people follow false gods.
My people have no time for the real God. Lord, you know how weak we are.
Correct us gently, Lord.
Correct us gently, Lord,
correct us gently
My
recording of this reading
Psalm 127:
If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders
labor. If the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain does the watchman keep vigil. Success comes not from earlier rising or from
going later to rest,
but from the Lord's blessing. Success is from the Lord
who blesses the womb of his beloved while she sleeps. Truly, children are a gift from the
Lord,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Lord, many people these days
don't want children. Please help such people understand that children are
a blessing
Listen
Hebrews
12.18 - 13.6: Your ancestors were at Mount Sinai when God
spoke to Moses.
But you already have one foot in the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, where millions of angels gather in praise.
So, continue to live a life of love and
hospitality.
Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with
them. Keep your marriage undefiled. Avoid greed. Be
content with what you have
Jesus, help me remember heaven....and people
in prison
Listen
Matthew 28.1-15: Jesus
died on Friday afternoon. Early on Sunday morning, two women went to Jesus'
tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, and an angel from heaven came and
rolled away the big stone at the tomb's entrance. The guards at the tomb were
terrified of the angel. The angel said to the women "Do not be afraid. I
know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. He
has risen from the dead. Go and tell his disciples he has risen from the
dead and will see them in Galilee". The women were filled with joy and ran
to tell this news to the disciples. As they left the tomb area, Jesus himself
appeared to them and said "Do not be afraid. Go and tell the
disciples they must go to Galilee. They will see me there".
Lord Jesus, by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. You are the
Savior of the world
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Imagine how we'd feel after the funeral of a relative or close friend ...if ...that person came back to life a few days after the funeral. Good News ...to be shared with all relatives and friends....and the world!
-------------------------
Conversation between Joseph of Arimathea & Pontius Pilate.
Pilate: "Joseph, I don't understand. You're one of the richest men in the area; you
made a brand new tomb for yourself and your family; and now you're giving it to Jesus?"
Joseph responded "It's just for the weekend"!
--------------------
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 5th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guizhou
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 5th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Chad
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
April 4
EASTER
SUNDAY
I
wish all dear readers A Happy Easter!
Today is also Ching Ming - Risen Jesus, please give eternal life to all the dead, especially Covid-19 victims!
From last Thursday, the HK govt gave permission for
churches to have services again ... just in time for Easter. I have enjoyed
taking part in the Easter ceremonies at St Paul's parish in Yau Ma Tei over the
past few days, assisting the new parish priest Fr Patrick Sun. Last night I had
the privilege of helping with the baptism and confirmation of a number of new
Christians.
The
bloody rise of Mexico's top cartel
Pope
at Stations of Cross in empty St Peter's Square
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Easter Sunday
Acts
10.34-43: Peter addressed Cornelius and his
household: "You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judea; about
Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee. God had anointed him with
the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about
doing good, and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. And about
how they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God
raised him to life. We have eaten and drunk with him after his
resurrection from the dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this
witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his
name."
Jesus, Risen Lord, please increase my faith in you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
118: Give thanks to the Lord
for he is good. His love has no end. Let
the sons of Israel say: "His love has no end." The Lord's right
hand has triumphed. His right hand has raised me up. I shall not die, I shall
live and recount all his deeds. The
stone which the builders rejected, has become the corner stone. This is
the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord. We rejoice and are glad.
Recording 
Colossians
3.1-2: Since you
have been brought back to true life with Christ, focus on heaven, where
Christ is, sitting at the Father's right hand. Let your thoughts be more on
heavenly things, less on the things that are on earth.
Jesus, please help me think more often about heaven.....since that's where I
hope to spend all eternity! Help me understand how this present world is just a
temporary arrangement
Recording
John
20.1-9: Before dawn
the next morning, Sunday, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. She saw the stone had
been moved from the tomb's entrance. She ran to Peter and John and said
"Someone has taken the Lord out of the tomb". They ran back to the
tomb. Peter went in first. He saw that the linen cloths were on the ground. But
the cloth that had been around Jesus' head was not on the ground. It was neatly
folded and in a place by itself. Then John went into the tomb. He
saw, and he believed.
Jesus, I believe you rose from the dead. Please increase my faith
Recording
May
the Risen Lord rescue our world from Covid-19!
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
-------------------------------
Easter
- we again use "Alleluia"
(after not using it for 6 weeks of Lent). So, this alleluia
joke: A
man bought a donkey from a preacher. The preacher told the man that the
donkey had been trained in a very unique way (being the donkey of a preacher).
The only way to make the donkey go, was to say, "Hallelujah!" The only
way to make the donkey stop, was to say, "Amen!" The man was pleased
with his purchase and immediately got on the animal to try out the preacher's
instructions.
"Hallelujah!" shouted the man. The donkey began to trot.
"Amen!" shouted the man. The donkey stopped immediately. "This is
great!" said the man. With a "Hallelujah" he rode off, very proud
of his new purchase. The man traveled for a long time through the mountains. As
he headed towards a cliff, he tried to remember the word to make the donkey
stop. "Stop," said the man. "Halt!" he cried. The donkey
just kept going. "Oh, no..." ..."Bible...Church!...Please!
Stop!!," shouted the man. The donkey just began to trot faster. He was
getting closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. Finally, in desperation, the
man said a prayer ... "Please, dear Lord. Please make this donkey
stop before I go off the end of this mountain, In Jesus' name, AMEN." The
donkey came to an abrupt stop just one step from the edge of the cliff.
"HALLELUJAH!" shouted the man.
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., N America
Jesus,
today, Sunday,
please bless the people of
Africa
And praying for
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 4th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangdong
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 4th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Mozambique
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
April
HOLY
SATURDAY
New
post from Camay
who is recovering from stage 4 lung cancer
March set a new record for sales at MercyHK's second hand shop at
191 Temple Street, Jordan - HK$68,371.
Thank you Jesus! Please bless all store donors/helpers/workers/customers!
(Monthly rent: $20,000)
Coffee
with God! - daily readings
and reflections
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Matthew
27.57-66: Joseph from
Arimathaea was a rich man who had become a disciple of Jesus. After Jesus died
on Friday, he asked Governor Pilate for Jesus' body. Joseph
wrapped the body in a clean burial cloth and put it in his own new tomb in a
rock cave. He then put a large stone at the cave's entrance. The next
day, Saturday, the religious leaders went to Pilate and said
"This imposter said he would rise from the dead after 3 days. Therefore you
should secure the tomb in case his disciples steal the body and say he has risen
from the dead". Pilate gave them a guard and told them to secure the tomb.
The guards took up their position at the tomb and seals were put on the entrance
stone.
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal
life to all who have died
Recording
Mark
15.42-47: Joseph
from Arimathaea was a rich man who had become a disciple of Jesus. After Jesus
died on Friday, he asked Governor Pilate for Jesus' body. Joseph wrapped the
body in a clean burial cloth and put it in a tomb in a rock cave. He then put a
large stone at the cave's entrance. Mary
of Magdala and another woman watched Joseph as he put Jesus' body in the tomb.
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal life to everyone who dies today
Recording
Luke
23.50-56: Joseph from the
town of Arimathaea was a member of the religious leaders' council. He was a good
and just man, and had not agreed to the killing of Jesus. Late Friday afternoon,
he went to Governor Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He
took it down from the cross, wrapped it in a burial cloth, and put it in
a rock tomb that had not yet been used. The women from Galilee who had come to
Jerusalem with Jesus went with Joseph to the tomb. Then they left to prepare
burial spices and ointments. They planned to put these on Jesus' body after the
Saturday Sabbath day of rest.
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal life to all the dead
Recording
John
19.38-42: Joseph
of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.
Pilate agreed and Jesus' body was taken down from the cross. Another man,
Nicodemus, brought burial spices. He
and Joseph wrapped Jesus' body in linen cloths with the spices. Since the
Passover was due to begin at sunset, they put the body in an unused tomb close
to the place of Crucifixion.
Jesus, dead in the tomb, please give eternal life to everyone who dies today
Recording
Reflection: 
With
What Great Love - Carey
Landry
---------------------------
Not
enough time to teach students about Rule of Law
------------------------------
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 3rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Gansu
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 3rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Burundi
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
April 2 (no
meat)
GOOD
FRIDAY
Good Friday was when a young Eugene de Mazenod was tsunamied by the love of Jesus. May Good Friday always have a powerful effect on our hearts .... and give us courage to live better lives as Christians
Good news: An Indonesian woman, set up on a drug charge by this
man, has been acquitted by a High
Court jury!
Olympian
charged for 650kg of cocaine
The Gospel of John - HK Diocese presentation (in Cantonese)
Prayer
before a Crucifix (& May
Jesus' Cross protect us from Covid-19)
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
c.f. readings for Good Friday
Isaiah
52-53: See, my
servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up and exalted. As the crowds were
appalled on seeing him - so disfigured did he look - so will the crowds be
astonished at him, for they will see something that has never happened before.
Without beauty, without majesty, we saw him. He was despised and rejected,
a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. He was despised and we took no
account of him. And yet ours
were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. He was pierced
through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that
brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray
like sheep, and the Lord burdened him with our sins. Harshly dealt with, he bore
it humbly, never opening his mouth. He let himself be taken for a sinner, and
all the time he was suffering and praying for sinners.
Jesus, these words refer to you. Thank you for all you suffered to redeem the
world.
My recording of this reading
Luke
23.33-38: When they reached
the place called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals
also, one on his right, the other on his left. Above his head was placed a sign
"This is the King of the Jews". Jesus prayed "Father,
forgive them. They do not know what they are doing". The leaders
made fun of him "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ
of God". The soldiers mocked him too "If you are the king of the Jews,
save yourself".
Jesus, you forgave those who mocked you and crucified you. I forgive anyone
who has been unkind to me
Recording
Luke
23.39-43: One of the
criminals hanging on a cross mockingly said to Jesus "Are you not the
Christ? Save yourself and us as well". But the other criminal rebuked the
first one and said "We are paying the penalty for our crimes. But this man
has done nothing wrong". "Jesus", he
said, "remember
me when you come into your kingdom".
Jesus replied "I promise you, this day you will be with me in
Paradise".
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom
Recording
Luke 23.44-49: At about midday, there was an eclipse of the sun. The whole land was in darkness until about 3pm. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice "Father, into your hands I entrust my life".
Then he died.
When
the Roman army leader saw what had happened, he said "This was a great and
good man". The people who had been present went home asking God for mercy. Jesus'
friends stood at a distance and saw all that had happened.
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for the salvation of the world
Recording
Reflections:
One
of the most moving songs ever written:
Jesus,
remember me, when you come into your kingdom
Video,
with subtitles in Chinese & voice over in Cantonese, explaining the Passion
according to John
Brendan
Hoban - The
pull of Good Friday:
For anyone who believes in Jesus, time stood still on Good Friday and, like
Christmas Day, the mood of Good Friday creates in us a need to somehow affirm
its importance in our lives. This is why so many find themselves drawn
towards a church on Good Friday. Even those whose faith may be uncertain
and whose religious practice may have ceased can find themselves in reflective
mood on Good Friday
-------------------------
Yesterday
another happy 3pm-5pm gathering at the Alhambra building 1/F restaurant for a
group of 17 homeless people. Gathering included some Simple Bible readings about
the Last Supper and Good Friday.
-------------------------
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 2nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Fujian
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 2nd of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Niger
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
April 1
HOLY THURSDAY
How many people were at the Last Supper?!
W/App message yesterday from Camay who is making a remarkable
recovery from stage four lung cancer: THANK YOU JESUS. My cancer index drop from 700 to 580. Doctor said the drop is significant and the result is better than expected. My white blood cell is improved and my side effect is lower than previously. THANK YOU
GOD.
(Camay's
FB with more info)
Jesus, please zap The man
who seized power in Burma - just as you zapped Saul on the
way to Damascus!
Everything's a miracle!
The miracle of wind!
Pope
Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
287. Lord, Father of our human family, you created all human beings equal in dignity: pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter, dialogue, justice and peace. Move us to create healthier societies and a more dignified world, a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war.
May our hearts be open to all the peoples and nations of the earth. May we recognize the goodness and beauty that you have sown in each of us, and thus forge bonds of unity, common projects, and shared dreams. Amen.
------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
Triduum
Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Exodus
12-13: God
said to Moses and Aaron "On
the evening of the 14th day of this month, each family must kill and eat a one
year old male sheep or goat. Some of its blood must be put on your front door.
You must eat it in a hurry, with a belt round your waist, sandals on your feet,
and a staff in your hand. This night I will go through the
Jesus, Passover Lamb
of God, we praise you Lord!
My recording of this reading
Psalm
116: I love the Lord for he
has heard the cry of my appeal. He turned his ear to me in the day when I called
him. They
surrounded me, sorrow, distress and the snares of death. I was helpless, so the
Lord saved me. Calm down my soul, for the Lord has been good. I will walk in the
presence of the Lord in the land of the living. How can I repay the Lord for his
goodness to me? The
cup of salvation I will raise to thank the Lord. O
precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Lord, you have
loosened my bonds. I am your servant.
Jesus, thank you for the cup of salvation that is your Eucharistic Blood
Recording
1
Corinthians 11.20-26: Concerning
the Lord's Supper, this is what I received from the Lord and then taught you: On
the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, broke it and said
"This is my body which
will be broken for you". After supper he took a cup and said "This
cup is the new covenant in my blood. Each time you drink this cup, drink
it in memory of me". Until the Lord comes, therefore, each time you eat
this bread and drink this cup, you re-enact the death of the Lord.
Jesus, help me understand how bread and wine become your body and blood when
Christians celebrate the Eucharist
Recording
John
13.1-15: While Jesus and his
disciples were eating a meal just before the Passover, Jesus got up from the
table, removed his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist as an
apron. He then
poured water into a basin, and like a slave, began to
wash the disciples' feet, wiping them with the towel he was wearing.
After washing their feet he said to them "You are right in calling me
Master and Lord. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have humbly served you, you
should humbly serve one another. I have given you an example, so that you may
copy what I have done for you".
Jesus, please help us to serve other people humbly, just as you humbly served
the disciples
Recording
and
see 
below!
Reflections
on the above Bible readings:
Mozart-Bernstein: Ave Verum (and see comments)
---------------
To go with today's Gospel:
--------------------
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 1st 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 1st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Congo
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
March 31
Wed in Holy Week
I spent yesterday at Cheung Chau island ....with 10 former
prisoners now staying at the Mercy Centre ....one of whom slept at McDonald's
for 9 years before going to the Centre!
1.2
tonnes of Ice seized off West Australian coast
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
286. In these pages of reflection on
universal fraternity, I felt inspired particularly by Saint Francis of Assisi,
but also by others of our brothers and sisters who are not Catholics: Martin
Luther King, Desmond Tutu, Mahatma Gandhi and many more. Yet I would like to
conclude by mentioning another person of deep faith who, drawing upon his
intense experience of God, made a journey of transformation towards feeling a
brother to all. I am speaking of Blessed
Charles de Foucauld.
287. Blessed Charles directed his ideal of total surrender to God towards an identification with the poor, abandoned in the depths of the African desert. In that setting, he expressed his desire to feel himself a brother to every human being, and asked a friend to "pray to God that I truly be the brother of all". He wanted to be, in the end, "the universal brother". Yet only by identifying with the least did he come at last to be the brother of all. May God inspire that dream in each one of us. Amen.
------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
Our blue watered home
There is a silence that pervades an island
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Wednesday of Holy Week
Isaiah
50: The Lord has
opened my ear to hear his message. The Lord has given me words to proclaim his
message. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered
my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard. I
did not protect my face from insult and spittle. I set my face like
flint. The Lord will help me.
Jesus, please help me understand how these words refer to you
My recording of this reading
Psalms
69-70: Save me, O God, for
the waters have risen to my neck. I am sinking fast and can't keep afloat much
longer. So
many people hate me without cause. I have no more strength to resist them. May
my situation not cause anyone to lose faith in you. May people realize that it
is for your sake that I am taunted. Taunts have broken my heart. No one shows me
any compassion. For food they give me poison. In
my thirst they give me vinegar to drink. Lord, do not hide your face from
your servant. Answer quickly for I am in distress. You are my rescuer, my help,
O God. O Lord, do not delay to help me.
Jesus, please help me understand how these words refer to you
Recording
Luke
23.13-25: Pilate
said to the religious leaders and to the people "You brought this man
before me as a political agitator. Neither Herod nor I have found a case against
the man. He has done nothing deserving death. I shall have him flogged and then
let him go". But the leaders and people screamed
out "Away with him. Crucify him!". Pilate asked "Why? What harm
has he done?" They kept shouting "Crucify
him! Crucify him!" Pilate then gave in to them and handed Jesus over
for crucifixion.
Jesus, how great your mental suffering must have been as the crowd shouted
for your death
Recording
Luke
23.26-34: As Jesus
was being led to the place of crucifixion, a man named Simon was coming into
Jerusalem from the country. He
was made to carry the cross behind Jesus. Large numbers of people
followed him, including women who mourned for him. Jesus said to them
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep rather for yourselves and
for your children. For if this is how innocent people are treated, what will
happen to people who are guilty?" Two criminals were led out with Jesus to
be crucified with him.
Jesus, please help me to carry my cross each day
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: Each time we help another person to "keep going", we are helping Jesus to carry his cross
---------------------------
When I got home last night from Cheung Chau island, I
checked MercyHK's new meeting room at 187 Temple street, Jordan - the
Doctor Jesus Centre - and was pleased to see that renovation work had
begun. This put a grateful smile on my face. God bless this beautiful project!
-------------------------
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 31st
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Tianjin
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 31st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Nepal
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
----------------------------
----------------------
Ongoing 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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .