V2Catholic.comDr Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordan
A
voice for the poor
by HK prison chaplain
胡頌恆神父
Fr John Wotherspoon
O.M.I.
jdwomi@gmail.com
W/App +852 67095674
Imitating
Pope Francis
Tues Feb 28
Yesterday I spent 5 hours at Lo Wu women's prison before going to
the nearby St Paul's retreat centre for the monthly O.M.I. meeting. Today after
the meeting finishes at lunch time I hope to go to the prison again. As usual I
came away from the prison with a notebook full of jobs to do ...especially many
mitigation letters to write.
Laudato
Si:
19. Following a period of irrational
confidence in progress and human abilities, some sectors of society are now
adopting a more critical approach. We
see increasing sensitivity to the environment and the need to protect nature,
along with a growing concern, both genuine and distressing, for what is
happening to our planet. Let us review, however cursorily, those questions which
are troubling us today and which we can no longer sweep under the carpet. Our
goal is not to amass information or to satisfy curiosity, but rather to become
painfully aware, to dare to turn what is happening to the world into our own
personal suffering and thus to discover what each of us can do about it.
Pope
asking us to re-read main documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 6
of Document on Revelation
My
project to help street sleepers in Brazil
My
project to help school-less
children and jobless former prisoners in Africa
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus
10: Pharaoh's
advisers urged him to let the Israelites go.
They said to him "How much longer is this affair going to go on?
Let the Israelites go before Egypt
is ruined."
Pharaoh agreed to let the men go, but not the rest of the people.
So God sent two more plagues on the Egyptians:
locusts which devoured all the plants and trees,
and then three days of total darkness,
except in the land where the Israelites lived.
But even after the above nine plagues,
Pharaoh still wouldn't let the Israelites go. Dear
God, stubbornness can sometimes be a good thing, but please don't let me
be stubborn if that will hurt other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
88: Lord my God, day and night I call to you for
help.
Please turn your ear to my cry. For my soul is filled with evils.
My life is on the brink of the grave. I am reckoned as one in the tomb.
I have reached the end of my strength. Will your love be told in the grave?
Will your wonders be known in the dark? Fear surrounds me like a flood. All my friends have deserted me.
My only companion is darkness.
Lord, please help people who
are in despair
Listen
2
Corinthians 13.1-13:
Soon I will be with you for a third time.
What I ask is that you live the way God wants you to live. So, grow in your Christian life. Help one
another. Be united.
Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love
of God the Father,
and the friendship of the Holy Spirit be with you all
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, help me live the
way you want me to live
Listen
John
19.1-3:
Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged.
The soldiers used thorns to make a
crown and pushed this into Jesus' head. They dressed him in a purple cloak and mocked
him saying
"Hail, king of the Jews". They slapped him in the face
Jesus, scourged and made fun of, please help
me not to hurt anyone by my words or actions
Listen
Reflection:
To
get some idea of the absolute horror of Jesus' scourging, see details here
from the movie The Silent Witness
------------------------------
To go with first reading:
-------------------------------
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 one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 28th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Beijing,
Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 28th 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Feb 27
Yesterday morning I had 8.30am Chinese Mass at St Paul's Parish, Yau Ma Tei, then 11am English Mass at the Dr Jesus Centre for domestic workers who stay at MercyHK shelters. At the 11am Mass we were joined by a visiting NGO group from the Philippines.
This morning I'm hoping to visit Lo Wu women's prison .... then in the afternoon
go to nearby St Paul's retreat centre for monthly overnight O.M.I. meeting
....then when the meeting finishes at lunch time tomorrow to go to the prison
again.
Laudato
Si:
18. The continued acceleration of changes
affecting humanity and the planet is coupled today with a more intensified pace
of life and work which might be called "rapidification". Although
change is part of the working of complex systems, the speed with which human
activity has developed contrasts with the naturally slow pace of biological
evolution. Moreover, the goals of this rapid and constant change are not
necessarily geared to the common good or to integral and sustainable human
development. Change is something
desirable, yet it becomes a source of anxiety when it causes harm to the world
and to the quality of life of much of humanity.
Pope
asking us to re-read main documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on
Article 5
of Document on Revelation
My
project to help street sleepers in Brazil
My
project to help school-less
children and jobless former prisoners in Africa
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus
9: Through Moses, God kept saying to
Pharaoh
"Let my people go to offer me worship."
But Pharaoh kept refusing to let the people go.
So God sent three more plagues:
all the Egyptians' animals died,
then all the Egyptians were covered with boils,
then the land was hit by a fierce hailstorm.
During the hailstorm, Pharaoh said the people could go.
But as soon as the storm stopped, he changed his mind again.
Dear
God, please help us not to ignore your voice
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
87: On the holy mountain is Jerusalem,
the Lord's cherished city. Of you are told glorious things, O city of
God. All nations are called to serve and love the
Lord.
And Jerusalem shall be called their spiritual mother,
for all shall be her children. In Jerusalem everyone will be welcome and find
a home.
Lord, may Jerusalem be a place
of peace and prayer for all peoples
Listen
2
Corinthians 11.24 - 12.14: Remember how much I have suffered for the sake
of the Good News: 5 times I had the 39 lashes from the Jews, 3 times I was beaten with sticks,
once I was stoned, 3 times I was shipwrecked, I have often been starving. This should prove to you that I am a
genuine apostle, not after money or fame or power. It is you I want, not
your possessions
Jesus, help church workers want souls,
not money/fame/power
Listen
John
18.28-40: The religious leaders took Jesus to the Roman
governor, Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus "Are you the King of the
Jews?" Jesus replied "My kingdom is not a
kingdom of this world. But I am a king. I came into this world to bear
witness to the truth". After further questioning, Pilate said to the
leaders "I find no case against him, so how about I release him
according to the custom of releasing one prisoner at Passover? At this the leaders shouted "Not this
man, but Barabbas".
Barabbas was a bandit
Jesus, help me be a better witness to
good values
Listen
Reflection: Like Jesus ... and like St Paul ... Christians are called to witness to the truth
-------------------------
At
yesterday's lunch at the Dr Jesus Centre for the migrant worker group who stay
at MercyHK shelters, a visiting man from the Philippines entertained everyone
with some great singing. In fact his voice reminded me of Rod
Stewart!
--------------------
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 one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On
this 27th of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Tibet
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 27th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Tanzania
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Feb 26
MercyHK's social worker Lucia has been run into the ground lately with emergency
help cases .... yesterday she got home around 4am after attending an urgent
police and hospital case of a domestic worker being a victim of abuse in Tuen
Mun. That was after another urgent case of a homeless mother and 3 year old son
early in the evening.
Laudato
Si:
17. Theological and philosophical
reflections on the situation of humanity and the world can sound tiresome and
abstract, unless they are grounded in a fresh analysis of our present situation,
which is in many ways unprecedented in the history of humanity. So, before
considering how faith brings new incentives and requirements with regard to the
world of which we are a part, I
will briefly turn to what is happening to our common home.
Pope
asking us to re-read main documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 4
of Document on Revelation
My
project to help street sleepers in Brazil
My
project to help school-less
children and jobless former prisoners in Africa
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for First
Sun of Lent
Genesis
3: A
creature hostile to God took the form of a snake and tempted the first man and
first woman. The snake tempted them to disobey God. When God asked them why they
disobeyed him, the man blamed the woman, and the woman blamed the snake. God
said to the snake: "You are the enemy of the human race. Someday
a member of the human race will defeat you." God said to the man and
woman: "From dust you came and to dust you will return." The
first man's name was Adam (meaning "man"). The first woman's name was
Eve (meaning "life").
Dear God, please help me understand how evil in the world started when Adam and
Eve disobeyed you
My
recording of this reading ... and
see 
below!
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
Recording
Romans
5.12-21: Through
one man, Adam, the
virus of sin entered the world, and sin infected
everyone with death. Through one man, Jesus, the
divine anti-virus of grace entered the world, and
brought the gift of eternal life to everyone who allows it to be installed in
their heart. The divine anti-virus of grace is more powerful than any sin
virus.
Jesus, please download and install in my heart
your anti-virus program of grace
Recording
Matthew
4.1-11: After
he was baptized, Jesus spent about 40 days praying and fasting in the desert.
During this time, he was tempted by Satan. "If you are the Son of God,
change some stones into bread" said Satan. Jesus replied "Human life
needs more than bread. Life
needs God's message". Satan then took Jesus to a high place and said
"Throw yourself down, since the angels will protect you". Jesus
replied "Presumption is a sin". Then Satan took Jesus to a high
mountain and showed him all the nations of the world. "Worship me and I
will give you all these nations" said Satan. Jesus replied "Go away,
Satan! Only God is to be worshipped". The devil then went away.
Jesus, please protect us from Satan and from
evil
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: Song - Jesus fasting in the desert
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
-------------------------------
To
go with today's first reading:
------------------------------
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 one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 26th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Xinjiang
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 Madagascar
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Feb 25
I spent two hours yesterday morning, and several hours on
previous days, working on a mitigation letter for a local HK woman soon to be
sentenced for drug trafficking....recruited by an advertisement on FB. I
have put some of her letters here
(Oct 30-31) and here
Laudato
Si:
16. Although each chapter will have its own
subject and specific approach, it will also take up and re-examine important
questions previously dealt with. This is particularly the case with a number of
themes which will reappear as the Encyclical unfolds. As examples, I will point
to the intimate relationship
between the poor and the fragility of the planet,
the conviction that everything in the world is connected, the critique of new
paradigms and forms of power derived from technology, the call to seek other
ways of understanding the economy and progress, the value proper to each
creature, the human meaning of ecology, the need for forthright and honest
debate, the serious responsibility of international and local policy, the
throwaway culture and the proposal of a new lifestyle.
These questions will not be dealt with once and for all, but reframed and
enriched again and again.
My
project to help street sleepers in Brazil
My
project to help school-less
children and jobless former prisoners in Africa
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus
8: After seven days, God told Moses and
Aaron to go to Pharaoh again,
this time causing a plague of frogs to cover the land
when Pharaoh again refused to let the Israelites go.
Then God got Aaron to strike the ground
and the dust turned into mosquitoes
which attacked people and animals throughout
Dear
God, please help all world leaders to listen to your voice
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
86: Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer
for I am poor and needy.
O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of love to all who call to you. All the nations shall come to adore you
and glorify your name, O Lord,
you who alone are God. Show me, Lord, your way, and guide my heart
so that I may walk in your truth. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my
heart
for your love to me has been great. O give your strength to your servant
and save your handmaid's son.
Dear Lord, thank you for
all your
love
Listen
2
Corinthians 8.9 - 9.7: Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was.
He was rich, but he became poor for our sake, to make us rich. So we also should help people who are poor.
If
we have extra
we should help people who don't have enough. Maybe some day, the same poor people will be
rich,
and we will be poor, and they will help us. And don't forget, God loves a cheerful giver
Jesus, help me do more to help poor
people
Listen
John
18.19-27: The main religious leader interrogated
Jesus about his teaching. Jesus told him "I have spoken openly in
prayer halls and in the Temple. I have said nothing in secret. The people
can tell you what I said". At these words, one of the guards slapped
Jesus in the face, saying "Don't speak to the leader like that".
Jesus replied "If I said something wrong, point it
out. But if there was nothing wrong with my words, why did you hit
me?" Meanwhile Peter was outside in the courtyard,
keeping warm by a fire. Three times he was asked by different people if he
was a disciple of Jesus. Three times he replied "I am not".
After his third denial, a rooster crowed
Jesus, on trial before the leaders, please
bless everyone on trial today, in every country
Reflection:
Jesus spoke up
when hit .... showing it's ok to speak up when attacked
------------
A question which many HK people are asking these
days: Is there any other place in the world where people are fined for not
wearing masks in public?!
------------------------------
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 one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 25th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people 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 Lesotho
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Feb 24
Yesterday as I walked back to the MTR in Central from a meeting in Sai Ying Pun I noticed that tourists from the Mainland are now starting to reappear in HK ... after a break of more than 2 years because of Covid.
Fridays
of Lent:
Prayer before a Crucifix
Laudato
Si:
15. It is my hope that this Encyclical Letter, which is now added to
the body of the Church's social teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal,
immensity and urgency of the challenge we face. I
will begin by briefly reviewing several aspects of the present ecological crisis,
with the aim of drawing on the results of the best scientific research available
today, letting them touch us deeply and provide a concrete foundation for the
ethical and spiritual itinerary that follows. I
will then consider some principles drawn from the Judaeo-Christian tradition
which can render our commitment to the environment more coherent. I
will then attempt to get to the roots of the present situation,
so as to consider not only its symptoms but also its deepest causes. This will
help to provide an approach to ecology which respects our unique place as human
beings in this world and our relationship to our surroundings. In light of this
reflection, I will advance some
broader proposals for dialogue and action
which would involve each of us as individuals, and also affect international
policy. Finally, convinced as I am that change is impossible without motivation
and a process of education, I
will offer some inspired guidelines for human development
to be found in the treasure of Christian spiritual experience.
My
project to help street sleepers in Brazil
My
project to
help school-less children and jobless former prisoners in Africa
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus 7:
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh again
and showed him Aaron's staff changing into a snake.
When Pharaoh's magicians were able to do the same thing
Aaron's staff swallowed up the magicians' staffs.
But Pharaoh's heart stayed stubborn
and he wouldn't listen to Moses and Aaron.
So God told Moses and Aaron to go to the river the next morning.
When they saw Pharaoh there
Aaron struck the river with his staff
and the river and all water throughout Egypt
turned into blood.
But Pharaoh still would not let the Israelites go.
Dear
God, please soften stubborn hearts that make life difficult for other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
85: I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace.
Peace for his people and his friends
and those who turn to him in their hearts. His help is near for those who love him
and his glory will dwell in our land.
Mercy and faithfulness have met.
Justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice shall look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps
Lord, please give more peace to
our world
Listen
2
Corinthians 5.14-19:
The love of Christ is like a tsunami.
It overwhelms
us and sweeps us away
when we remember how Jesus died for everyone. God, through Christ, has repaired his
friendship with humanity.
We must spread the news of this reconciliation.
"And when I think, that God his Son not
sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in"
- from the song "How Great Thou Art"
Listen
John
18.1-11: After their Last Supper, Jesus and his
disciples went to a garden near the Kedron valley. Judas knew they would be there, since they had
often gathered there.
Judas led the police and soldiers there to arrest Jesus. Jesus said to Judas' group "Who are you
looking for?" They replied "Jesus the Nazarene".
Jesus said "I am the one you are looking for. Let these other men go
free". The group then arrested Jesus and bound
him.
They took him to the religious leaders
Jesus, please bless everyone who is arrested
today, in every country
Listen
Reflection:
Many times
Jesus had evaded arrest. This time he allowed himself to be arrested .... while
protecting his followers from arrest
-------------------------
The season of Lent has begun ....and "Lent' doesn't
mean someone has borrowed something! One possible origin of "Lent" is
that the days in the Northern Hemisphere are lengthening
as Winter gives way to Spring.
-------------------------
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 one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 24th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people 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 Djibouti
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Feb 23
A cheerful group of university students from the Philippines, with some of their HK friends, yesterday afternoon joined MercyHK's weekly gathering for local drug addicts at the MercyHK Centre on Nathan Road ... and last night's weekly gathering for Nepal drug addicts at the Dr Jesus Centre.
Laudato
Si:
14. I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are
shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes
everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human
roots, concern and affect us all. The worldwide ecological movement has already
made considerable progress and led to the establishment of numerous
organizations committed to raising awareness of these challenges. Regrettably,
many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved
ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more
general lack of interest.
Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial
of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in
technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity. As the bishops
of Southern Africa have stated: "Everyone's talents and involvement are
needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God's creation". All
of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each
according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.
Pope
asking us to re-read main documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 3
of Document on Revelation
My
project to help street sleepers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
My
Clean Start Mercy Project to
help school-less children and jobless former prisoners in Africa
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Exodus 5-6:
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said
'God says: let my people go into the desert to worship me".'
Pharaoh not only refused to let them go;
he also made their life more difficult
by forcing them to gather their own straw for making bricks.
The people complained to Moses and Aaron
for having made their life more difficult.
So Moses prayed to God for help
and God said he would force Pharaoh to let the people go.
Dear
God, please don't let me make life difficult for other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
84: How lovely is your sacred temple,
Lord.
My heart is longing to spend time in your holy dwelling. Even sparrows and swallows are your
temple guests.
They build homes for their young near your altar. Blessed are the people who live and work in
your temple.
And blessed, too, are people who keep the memory of your temple in
their hearts. As they go through the troubles of life,
you give them strength to face the trials of each day. Lord, one day within your temple
is better than a thousand anywhere else.
Dear God, thank you for special
places of prayer
Listen
2
Corinthians 4.8 - 5.1: We are in difficulties on all sides, but never
cornered.
We see no answer to our problems, but never despair.
Even though our bodies are aging and decaying,
our hearts are renewed day by day. Our troubles seem great now, but they don't
stand comparison with the eternal glory coming soon. When the temporary tent that we live in here on
earth is folded up,
we will move to an everlasting house built by God for us in heaven
Jesus, help me remember Heaven - especially
when life gets tough
Listen
John
17.1-21:
After saying many things to his disciples at the meal, Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed "Father, my time has come. Give eternal life to everyone you have entrusted to
me.
Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have
sent.
I have glorified you on earth, and finished the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with the glory I had with you before the world existed.
Protect those you have given me. Protect them from Satan. Consecrate them in the
truth.
As you sent me into the world, so I am sending them into the world. May all my followers be united, so that the world will believe it was you who sent me"
Jesus, please protect our world from lies and
deception. Please bless people who witness to the truth in difficult
situations
Listen
Reflection: God helped the Hebrews in Egypt (1st reading), God's temple gives us strength (Psalm), God renews us in the middle of trouble (Corinthians), God consecrates us in the truth (Gospel). "GOD" can be spelt "HELP"!
---------
More
vouchers!
--------------------
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 one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of
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 Tongo
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Feb 22
ASH WED
(.. no meat ..)
Yesterday morning there was a meeting at the Dr Jesus Centre in
Jordan for MercyHK staff and staff from the local Salvation Army centre....
promoting continued cooperation between our two NGOs.
Laudato
Si:
13. The urgent challenge to protect our
common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek
a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. The
Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of
having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building
our common home. Here I want to recognize, encourage and thank all those
striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we
share. Particular appreciation is owed to those who tirelessly seek to resolve
the tragic effects of environmental degradation on the lives of the world's
poorest. Young people demand
change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without
thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded.
Pope
asking us to re-read main documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on
Article 2
of Document on Revelation
My
Clean Start Mercy Project to
help school-less children and jobless former prisoners in Africa
My
project to help street sleepers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Ash Wed
Joel
1-4: My
country has been invaded. Joy has disappeared from the land. Priests, put on
sackcloth and lament. Proclaim
a fast to pray for our nation. Turn to the Lord your God again, for he is
all tenderness and compassion. Call out to the Lord for help. "Spare your
people, Lord!" The Lord replies: "I will save and rescue you. I will
pour out my spirit on all peoples. Every one will prophesy and see visions. You
will learn that I am the Lord your God. Jerusalem will be a holy place."
Lord, let our land be filled with knowledge of you and love for you
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
Recording
2
Cor 5.14-19: The
love of Christ is like a tsunami. It overwhelms
us and sweeps us away when we remember how Jesus
died for everyone. God, through Christ, has repaired his friendship with
humanity. We must spread the news of this reconciliation.
"And when I think, that God his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I
scarce can take it in"
- from the song "How Great Thou Art"
Recording
Matthew
6.1-15: Jesus
said to the crowds: When
you do a good deed, do it for its own sake, not just to get people to
praise you. When you pray, love to pray in private in your heart. Don't be
looking for people to notice and praise you. When
you pray, there's no need to rave on and on. God is not deaf. Prayer is
not a lawyer arguing a case. Prayer is a child speaking with simple trust like
this: Our Father in heaven, may everyone love and honor you. Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Thank you for enough food for today.
Forgive us as we forgive others. Save us in time of trial. Protect us from evil.
Jesus, help me remember that each time I pray "The Our Father", you
are praying with me. "Your Father = my Father = our Father"
Recording
Reflection: During this season of Lent may we have the grace and the determination to do a bit of fasting, to give a bit more time to prayer, and to do a bit more for needy people
---------------------------
For Lent some people give up chocolates or ice cream or
mahjong ....but did you hear about the guy who gave up his New Year Resolution
for Lent?
-------------------------
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 one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 22nd
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people 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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
----------------------
===
Africa:
2020: My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg
Jan 1, 2020: How cocaine trafficking is impacting West Africa
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
2017-09-27: 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)
2017-05-17: 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, 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
http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm
----------------------
Photos
from my time in China 2001-20008
---------------------
---------------------
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
prisoners:
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
|
On revolving map: Left click bottom right silver button Left click country Left click state/province ....till you find your city/town ! |
|
Left click this table of flags for details of hits on this main page
|
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.
Note: counter on this page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this
main/index page.
Visits to other pages and to Facebook page are not
recorded.
This site's 2017
statistics.
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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++