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
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?
Name
& shame
JesusTower
GoodNewsForPoor
Dr
Jesus
China8
SimpleBible
MatteoRicci
EssentialReading
Tues March 22
BBC: "My boss kicked me out because I caught Covid
Last week, after so much had happened on Monday
& Tuesday, I said how on Tues night I had a "Friday night, end of
week" feeling.
Well, so much happened yesterday, that last night, Monday night!, I had the same
end of week feeling. One activity among many others yesterday was the placement
in one of our hostels of a woman from South America who has just finished her 8
year & 9 months sentence for drug trafficking, after being tricked by Drug
Lords in her own country to bring drugs to HK. I actually visited her home in in
South America in January 2018 and met her family. Her return home has been
delayed because of Covid and other circumstances and CSD welfare staff asked us
to help with temporary shelter. And God bless the kind Filipinas in the hostel
for taking this lady under their wing. It's great that all Filipinos understand
a fair bit of Spanish since most of them studied some Spanish at school! Last
night MercyHK was providing emergency accommodation for 38 homeless Covid
domestic helpers, including 5 who are positive.
Please continue praying for Camay
who yesterday continued to show further improvemet at the ICU of a Kowloon hospital
in her brave fight
against stage four lung cancer. SHE IS NOT GIVING UP!!! She can now eat and
speak a little. So, despite the official prognosis, let's continue praying for a miracle! JESUS,
GOOD SHEPHERD! PLEASE HEAL
CAMAY!!!
I
keep praying that Putin will become incapacitated
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Tobit 7: When Tobias and Raphael reached Media,
they went to the home of their relative Raguel, father of Sarah. Tobias asked Raguel for Sarah to be his wife.
Raguel told Tobias that 7 previous bridegrooms had died. Tobias repeated his request, and Sarah became
his wife.
That night everyone prayed for the safety of the couple.
Dear God, please bless everyone
being married this month
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
72: O Lord, please bless the king,
that he might serve your people with justice. May the mountains bring forth peace for the
people
and the hills, justice. The kings of Sheba and Seba bring him gifts.
All nations will serve him. He will save the poor when they cry for help
and the needy who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak
and save the lives of the poor. May every tribe be blessed in him.
May every nation bless his name.
May all the nations know and
love you, Lord
Listen
1
Timothy 3.1-15: To want to be a presiding elder is to want to
do a noble work.
That is why the president must be above reproach: He must not have been married more than once.
He must be temperate, discreet, courteous, hospitable, a good teacher, not
a heavy drinker, not hot-tempered, but kind and peaceable. He must not be a lover of money. He must be a
man who manages his family well and brings up his children well. How could anyone who can't manage his
own family
be given responsibility to manage God's family? He should not be a new convert in case he
becomes full of pride. The Church of the
living God is God's family.
The Church is the guardian of the truth
Jesus, please give the Church good leaders
Listen
Matthew
26.17-29: On Passover Eve, Jesus ate a last meal with
his apostles.
While they were eating, Jesus told them he knew he would be betrayed by
one of them. He told Judas he knew he was the betrayer. Then Jesus took some bread,
blessed it and gave it to his apostles saying "Take this and eat it.
This is my body". Then he took a cup of wine,
blessed it and gave it to them saying
"Take this and drink it. This is my blood".
Jesus, please help me understand how bread and
wine become your body and blood when Christians celebrate the Eucharist
Listen
Reflection: The Eucharist/Mass is Jesus' way of being intimately with us ... to the point of physical presence inside our bodies
------------------------------
Yesterday I saw someone wearing a shirt with the words
"The future of tradition"!
-------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus,
today, Tuesday,
please bless the people of
South
Asia
And praying for
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 22nd
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 22nd of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Senegal
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon March 21
Prayers please for Camay
who yesterday at the ICU of a Kowloon hospital showed some improvement as she
continues her brave fight
against stage four lung cancer. SHE IS NOT GIVING UP!!! She can now eat and
speak a little. So, despite the official prognosis, we can continue praying for a miracle! JESUS,
GOOD SHEPHERD! PLEASE HEAL
CAMAY!!!
Care
for migrant workers amid Omicron surge - Fr
Jun's appeal to employers (Sunday Examiner) ***
Last night MercyHK was providing accommodation for about 35 homeless Covid
domestic helpers, including 4 positive cases.
Thank you message from
Nita, an Indonesian homeless Covid domestic helper for whom MercyHK provided
emergency accommodation. God bless you Nita!
I
keep praying that Putin will become incapacitated
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Tobit
5-6: Tobit told Tobias to find a trustworthy man
to go with him to Media. Tobias found Raphael, but Tobias did not
know Raphael was an angel. On the first night of their journey, Tobias
and Raphael caught a large fish. Raphael told Tobias to keep the gall, liver and heart of
the fish.
Raphael explained that the gall would cure the blindness of Tobit, and
that the liver and heart would drive away the demon Asmodeus.
Dear God, thank you for the
help we receive from your angels
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
1
Timothy 1.18 - 2.8: Timothy, my son, as I
give you advice for practical issues, remember how the church elders
prayed over you that you would be a good leader. My
first bit of advice
is that there should be prayers offered for everyone, especially for kings
and others in authority, so that we can live our life of faith in peace
and quiet. God wants everyone to
be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. There is only one God,
and there is only one mediator between God and humanity, himself a man,
Christ Jesus, who sacrificed himself as a ransom for everyone. In every place, I want
believers to lift up their hands in reverent prayer
God our Father, through
Jesus your Son, I ask a blessing on the leaders of our world, especially
the leaders of my own country
Listen
Matthew
26.1-16: A few days before the Passover festival,
the religious leaders kept looking for a way to arrest Jesus and have him
put to death. Jesus knew what was happening. He
told his disciples
"In a few days I will be crucified". During these days Jesus had a
meal at the home of Simon the leper.
At the meal, a woman put expensive burial oil on Jesus' head.
The woman understood that Jesus was soon to die. One of Jesus' 12 apostles, Judas
Iscariot, went to the religious leaders
and offered to help them arrest Jesus at a convenient time.
The leaders paid Judas 30 pieces of silver.
Judas looked for an opportunity to arrange the arrest.
Jesus, please forgive me for the times when I have not been faithful to you
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: St John's Gospel says that Judas stole money from the common purse which he was responsible for. Judas' weakness for money opened a door for Satan to enter his heart
-------------------------
As
a Queenslander I support the two Qld teams in the AFL: The Brisbane Lions (my number
one team) and the Gold Coast Suns (no. 2). And they both won in Round One which
began the new season over the weekend! The Lions defeated Port Adelaide on Saturday
night and last night the
Suns defeated a depleted Eagles team in Perth. What a great start to the
season! My ultimate dream: A Lions-Suns Grand Final in September!!!
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N. America
Jesus,
today, Monday,
please bless the people of Europe
& Russia
And
praying for prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On
this 21st of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Afghanistan
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun March 20
Prayers please for Camay
who last night at the ICU of a Kowloon hospital was continuing her brave fight
against stage four lung cancer. JESUS, GOOD SHEPHERD! CAMAY IS IN YOUR HANDS!
And despite the official prognosis, I am still praying for a miracle! JESUS,
GOOD SHEPHERD! PLEASE HEAL
CAMAY!!!
One minute video of
MercyHK's Hostel D which was
upgraded yesterday afternoon with the arrival of 5 double bunks .... no more
sleeping on the floor! God bless yesterday's team of helpers for an excellent
job! Last night MercyHK was providing emergency accommodation for nearly 40
homeless domestic helpers, of whom about 6 are Covid positive.
I
keep praying that Putin will become incapacitated
Bible Study: 1
Corinthians 1
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Lent 3
Exodus
3: The
Israelites begged God to free them from slavery in
Dear God, God of life, God of Abraham, we praise you Lord.
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
103: My soul, give thanks to the
Lord. All my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and
never forget all his blessings. It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals
every one of your ills. It is he who fills your life with good things, renewing
your youth like an eagle's life. The
Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. As the
heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who love him.
As far as the East is from the West, so far does he remove our sins. As a father
has compassion on his children, the Lord has pity on all who love and honor him.
Give thanks to the Lord, all his angels, who heed the voice of his word. Give
thanks to the Lord, everyone and everything. My soul, give thanks to the Lord!
Thank you, Lord, for your love and compassion
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: God who is LIFE (Exodus) and who is COMPASSION (Psalm 103) wants all his sons and daughters to be like him - especially by bearing THE FRUIT (Gospel) of compassion for others
Reflection by Fr Peter: English Chinese
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
-------------------------------
So
much has been happening the past few weeks that I completely forgot about the
football in Australia starting a new season this weekend. But last night I was
able to listen to the final 10 minutes of my team the
Brisbane Lions victory over Adelaide!
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., N America
Jesus,
today, Sunday,
please bless the people of
Africa
And praying for
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 20th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Sudan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat
March 19
Feast of St Joseph
One
min video of
MercyHK Hostel A. Our previous Hostel A has water leakage and other
problems, so yesterday afternoon a team of kind people shifted beds and others
items to a much nicer location. Like Hostels B, C, D & E, this one will be
used first of all by homeless Covid domestic helpers. Last night MercyHK was
providing accommodation for about 36 Covid domestic helpers .... after 7
positive cases were transferred yesterday to a govt shelter (hope they don't
have to wait
20 days for a shower!) and several new cases arrived in Jordan.
My
favourite beach, Tai Lam, not
closed because of pandemic!
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Feast of St Joseph
2
Samuel 7: After David settled
into his palace and the land enjoyed peace, David thought about building a
temple for the Lord. Then through the prophet Nathan the Lord told David:
"I will establish your dynasty for ever. But it will be your son, not
yourself, who will build a temple for me." David praised God: "Who am
I, Lord, and what is my House, that you have helped me so much and promised me
so much? May my
House continue in your presence for ever. May
you bless my House forever."
Jesus, Son of David, give peace to our world
My recording of this reading
Psalm
134: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that
your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as
the heavens. "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have
sworn to David my
servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever, and set up your throne
through all ages".
Jesus, Son of David, may your kingdom of peace come in our troubled world
Recording
Revelation
22.16-20: "I, Jesus,
have sent my angel to make these revelations to you for the sake of the
churches. I am of David's line, the Root of David,
the Bright Star of the Morning". The Spirit and the Bride say:
"Come". Let all who want eternal life say: "Come". Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Jesus, Son of David, come into our world!
Recording
Matthew
1.18-24: This
is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph;
but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the
Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her
publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this
when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what
is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus,
because he is the one who is to save his
people from their sins.' When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the
Lord had told him to do.
Jesus, Son of David, save your people from war and strife
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: As the legal son of Joseph, Jesus was a descendant of King David
Correction to popular use: Joseph was the step-father, not foster-father of Jesus, because Joseph was the husband of Mary, and Mary was Jesus' biological mother. St Joseph, pray for our families!
---------------------------
(in
honor of March 19, St Joseph): Thief
breaks into convent of Sisters of St Joseph. Then a voice is heard: "Joseph
is watching". Thief cannot see anyone. Voice is again heard: "Joseph
is watching". Thief uses torch....sees that "voice" is a parrot.
Thief goes on putting items in his sack. Voice then says to huge savage guard
dog: "Get him, Joseph!"!!!
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent. & N
America
Jesus,
today, Saturday,
please bless the people of Central
& North America
And
praying for prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi
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 Haiti
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri March 18
Prayers please for Camay
who last night was admitted to the ICU of a Kowloon hospital ... bravely
fighting stage four lung cancer. JESUS, GOOD SHEPHERD! CAMAY IS IN YOUR HANDS!
Last night MercyHK was providing emergency accommodation for 41 homeless Covid domestic
helpers, of whom 10 are positive cases. Before coming to us, one of our
guests spent a week outside the back door of her employer's house ... because
she was positive. *** My
file of media articles about homeless domestic workers
MercyHK's second hand shop at 191 Temple Street, Jordan has been closed for several months because of Covid .... and will not reopen as a second hand shop for the near future. Instead it has now become a social centre for the distribution of Covid-related items to needy people .... and is also now a base for MercyHK's social workers.
I keep praying that Putin will become incapacitated
Fridays
of Lent:
Prayer before a Crucifix
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Tobit 4: Tobit said to his son Tobias:
"When I die give me an honorable burial.
Always honor your mother. When she dies, bury her at my side. Be faithful to the Lord all your days.
Always be willing to help poor people. Give your bread to those who are hungry
and your clothes to those who are naked. Ask advice of every wise person.
Bless the Lord God in everything. Beg him to guide your ways
and bring your paths and purposes to a successful conclusion. Avoid all loose conduct.
Do to no one what you would not want done to you. Choose a wife from our tribe, from our kin in
Media.
Go to Media, to my friend Gabael.
Many years ago I left 10 talents of silver with him.
This money is yours."
Dear God, please guide me
and help me to do what is right
My
recording of this reading
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
Timothy 1.12-17: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who called me
into his service,
even though I was an offender. Mercy was shown me, because I was acting in
ignorance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save
offenders.
I myself am the greatest offender. Christ Jesus' patience and mercy to me is
available to all offenders.
I am a demonstration model of Christ's mercy
To the eternal King, the only God, be honor
and glory for ever and ever. Amen
Listen
Matthew
25.31-46: Jesus said to his disciples:
When I come in glory at the end of the world,
all peoples of all times will be gathered in front of me. I will separate them, like a
shepherd separates sheep from goats.
I will place the sheep on my right, the goats on my left. I will say to those on my right
"Come and enter my kingdom.
For I was hungry, and you gave me food.
I was thirsty, and you gave me drink.
I was a stranger, and you made me welcome.
I was naked, and you clothed me.
I was sick, and you visited me.
I was in prison, and you came to see me".
Then those good people on my right will say
"Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?
When did we see you thirsty and give you a drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
naked and clothe you, sick or in prison, and visit you?" I will answer
"Each time you helped and cared for a poor person,
you helped and cared for me".
Then I will say to those on my left "Go away from me and join Satan and his angels in hell. For I was hungry, and you never gave me food. I was thirsty, and you never gave me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you never made me welcome, naked, and you never clothed me, sick and in prison, and you never visited me".
Those on my left will then ask
"Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked,
sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?" I will answer
"Each time you refused to help and care for a poor person,
you refused to help and care for me". Those on the left will then go to
eternal punishment.
Those on the right will go to eternal life.
Jesus, please help me do more for poor people.
Make me understand that when I help a poor person, I help you
01
02 03
04
o
Reflection: People who show compassion to the poor - like Tobit - no matter what religion they follow, will go to Heaven. People who refuse to show compassion for the poor - no matter how much religion they practise - will ...... ???
------------------------
For the past two nights I've had a brief evening meal (=
rice box) at the Dr Jesus Centre with a man released from prison recently. He is
a temporary guest of MercyHK ... along with our 41 ladies!
-------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: S.
America
Sat: Cent, N. America
Jesus,
today, Friday,
please bless the people of South
America
And praying for
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 18th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shandong
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Gambia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu March 17
St Patrick's Day!
From
this article I learnt that HK's flag flower "Bauhinia blakeana"
was named after a HK governor born in Ireland!
How
HK celebrates St Patrick's Day
Last night MercyHK was providing emergency accommodation for
more almost 50 homeless Covid domestic
helpers, of whom about 15 are positive cases. Yesterday I spent much time on
buying, moving and setting up 7 double bunks in MercyHK Hostel B .. no more
sleeping on mattresses on the floor! And yesterday I had mixed feelings as 4
women left our centres to finally return to the Philippines (after having been
stranded at HK airport). Two of the 4 were in the very first group of 3 guests
on Feb 18 ... since which time more than 80 others have come. *** My
file of media articles about homeless domestic workers
I keep praying that Putin will become incapacitated
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Tobit 2-3:
One night when Tobit was resting,
sparrow droppings fell into his eyes and he became blind.
Some people made fun of Tobit for his misfortune.
Tobit humbly entrusted his life to the Lord. At the same time as Tobit was praying,
Sarah was praying in the town of Media. Sarah had been given in marriage 7 times
but all of her bridegrooms had been killed by the demon Asmodeus
before the couple could make love. The Lord heard the prayers of Tobit and Sarah
and sent the angel Raphael to help them.
Dear God, please help people
who are in difficult situations
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
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
Timothy 1.1-10: From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus, to
Timothy, true child of mine in the faith. I wish you grace, mercy
and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Please stay at Ephesus and insist that no one
teaches misleading doctrines or empty speculation about the Law of God. As a penal code,
the aim of the Law is to make
provision not for good people but for offenders: for murderers, for people
who are immoral with women or with boys or with men, for liars and for
perjurers
- and for everything else that is contrary to sound teaching
Jesus, please help law offenders not to offend
again,
and to make up for what they have done
Listen
Matthew
24.9-44: Jesus spoke to his disciples about the
future:
"On account of my name you will be hated, tortured and killed.
But the Good News of the kingdom will spread to every nation
before the end of the world. At the end of the world, the sun
and moon will stop shining.
Stars will fall from the sky. Then the sign of the Son of Man
will appear in the sky
and all peoples will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds
with power and glory.
He will send his angels with a loud trumpet
to gather good people from all parts of the earth. Therefore you should
live a good life,
and you will have nothing to fear on your last day."
Jesus, please help me be a good person
Listen
Reflection: "The sign of the Son of Man" can be understood as Jesus' Cross . For most of us "the end of the world" means the day we die. How blessed to die wearing a Cross!
---------------
Now that social workers Simon, Patrick and Raymond have office
space in MercyHK's social centre at 191 Temple Street, Jordan (formerly our 2nd
hand shop) I am using the 187 Temple Street Dr Jesus Centre as an office ....
and moving all my office items from my home at 197 Temple Street to the Dr Jesus
Centre. Each time I go out the door of 197 I make sure to take some more items
for 187 .... a work of gradual moving!
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Mon:
Tues:
Wed:
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid:
Sat:
Cent,
Jesus,
today, Thursday,
please bless
the people of
And praying for prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 17th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ethiopia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed March 16
Yesterday afternoon a team from TVB's "Scoop" program
interviewed a number of homeless Covid domestic workers for whom MercyHK in
Jordan has been providing emergency accommodation. While they were being
interviewed at one end of the Dr Jesus Centre, my computer and I were at the
other end .... and for the first time I heard some moving details about the
women's stories (... when they first arrived, I had kept things very simple ...
they had just gone through trauma ... not a time for big discussions). One women
described what it was like sleeping in a park for 2 nights .... another said how
her employer summarily dismissed her because she was Covid positive, so she went
to ask help at Queen Mary Hospital but they would not accept her, so she walked,
with her luggage, all the way to Central where she eventually made contact with
the NGO "HELP for Domestic Workers", who appealed to chairman of Voice
for Prisoners, John Budge, who contacted me.
I keep praying that Putin will become incapacitated
I watched this during breakfast yesterday - Jesus
on the Mountain of Transfiguation is the New Moses
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Tobit 1: Tobit was a Jewish
exile living in the city of Nineveh in Assyria.
Even though other
Jewish exiles, even his own relatives,
neglected their religion, Tobit stayed loyal to God.
Tobit also cared for
the poor and hungry.
And he made a special practice of burying the dead.
Dear
God, please help me to be like Tobit:
loyal to you and caring for the poor
My
recording of this reading
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
Listen
2
Thessalonians 3.10-16: We gave you a rule when we were with you:
not to let anyone have any food if he refused to do any work. Yet we hear that some of you are living in
idleness, doing no work themselves but interfering with everyone else's
work. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we order and call on
such people
to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat. Never grow tired of doing what is right.
May the Lord of peace give you peace always
and everywhere
Jesus, don't let me interfere in other
people's business
Listen
Matthew
23.1-36: Jesus told the people to respect
their religious leaders, but he condemned the religious leaders
for not practising what they preached, for doing things just to attract attention,
for craving front seats and places of honor, for being concerned only with externals.
Jesus called the religious
leaders "hypocrites", "blind guides", "tombs that look good on the outside but are full of dead
bones".
Jesus, help religious leaders be good
people
Listen
Reflection: As Pope Paul VI said back in 1975 "the world now listens to witnesses rather than teachers"
---------------------------
So many things have happened over the past two days that
last night I was sure it was the end of the week .... only to discover that
today is just Wednesday!
-------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E.Asia, Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus,
today, Wednesday,
please bless the people of East
Asia
And praying for
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 16th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Qinghai
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 16th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Malawi
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues March 15
Yesterday morning I did something I usually do almost every day
but haven't done for a couple of weeks because of the pandemic situation: I had
a trip on the MTR! ....to Admiralty to the Chinese University office, to enrol
16 prisoners for correspondence courses.
Yesterday afternoon 14 Covid positive cases for whom MercyHK has
been providing emergency accommodation in Jordan were transferred to the
government quarantine centre at Ching Yi. Last night we were still providing
accommodation for 49 cases, of whom 10 are positive.
Also yesterday afternoon 3 very kind Catholic doctors visited our 191 Temple
Street social centre with supplies for the centre and for a sharing with some of
our negative cases .... and a plan to set up an on line consultation for our
cases. Our social centre is being set up to deal with the deteriorating Covid
situation ....we expect many more people - local people as well as domestic
workers - to need help in the coming weeks as
HK heads towards 4.5 million infected people.
A few days ago I decided not to link this report about elderly patients in a hospital being surrounded by bags of dead bodies but since the number of elderly people dying each day continues to rise (more than 200 yesterday) I keep thinking that if elderly sick people could be given a Cross, there wouldn't be a need for so many body bags.
"Stop
this massacre": Pope condemns invasion of Ukraine
20 years ago today, beautiful
azaleas at the Canadian American School in Zhaoqing where I was an English
teacher
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Nehemiah
7-13: The wall of Jerusalem was finally rebuilt
and doors were set in place in the wall.
In the seventh month of the lunar calendar
Nehemiah assembled all the people
and read to them the Book of the Law of Moses. This was the first time that most of the
people
had heard the words of Moses' Book. The people were grateful to God
and praised him with great happiness. The people also promised God
that they would serve him more faithfully in the future. But
while Nehemiah was away on a visit to the king
the people and leaders became careless about the Law. When
Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem
he brought the people back to proper observance of the Law
Dear God, may we find joy and
strength in reading the Bible
and may the world have more good leaders like Nehemiah
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
2
Thessalonians 3.1-5:
Pray that the Lord's message may spread
quickly,
and be received with honor as it was by yourselves. Pray that we may be protected from the
interference of bigoted people. May your hearts focus on the love of God our
Father
and the fortitude of Christ
Jesus, don't let bigoted people
influence me
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: Times of trouble and difficulty - like now in today's world - are times for getting back to the message of God's word, times for focusing on God's love and the example of Jesus
------------------------------
Yesterday as I waited at Admiralty MTR station, I noticed
an insurance company advertisement which featured a skateboard rider in the air.
Maybe not the best image to convey a message of safety and security?!
-------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus,
today, Tuesday,
please bless the people of
South
Asia
And praying for
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 15th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Liaoning
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Liberia
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon March 14
I'm
continuing to pray that Putin will become indisposed (Putout).
My article in today's Ming
Pao newspaper has the topic: Homeless
Covid domestic helpers - update.
Text
without recording
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Nehemiah
6: As Nehemiah and the Jews rebuilt the wall
some people continued to obstruct them. But with God's help the wall was
finished in 52 days.
Dear God, please help us do
your work, despite difficulties
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
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
2
Thessalonians 2.1-17: Regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
don't be deceived by wild speculation. Stand firm in your faith and avoid speculation.
Keep the traditions we taught you, whether by
word of mouth or by letter. May God strengthen you in everything good you
do or say
Jesus, stop people
spreading false information
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: Nehemiah kept going, despite difficulties. The psalmist kept going, despite sinning. Paul urges the Thessalonians to stand firm, to keep going. Jesus in his last week didn't sit around feeling sorry for himself about to die at the end of the week .... he kept teaching and healing till his final day.
-------------------------
"300,000"
here
should be at
least 1.7 million?
--------------------
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 10th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jilin
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 14th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea
Bisseau
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
=====
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
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the King.
The official launching
was
held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20,
2012.
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Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile +852- 67095674
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