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
+852 67095674
Imitating
Pope Francis
Tues May 23
Last night I attended a Voice
For Prisoners dinner meeting. This NGO continues to do a lot of
good .... Thank you Jesus! Today I'm hoping to visit a prison ... so my
phone will be off-line most of the day (Thank you Jesus!)
To prepare for Pentecost (May
28) let's reflect on the Holy Spirit each day this week:
The seal is
a symbol close to that of anointing. "The Father has set his seal"
on Christ and also seals us
in him. Because this seal indicates
the indelible effect of the anointing with the Holy Spirit in the sacraments
of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, the image of the seal (sphragis)
has been used in some theological traditions to express the indelible
"character" imprinted by these three unrepeatable sacraments. CCC
698
In this week before Pentecost let's often pray each day: Come
Holy Spirit, fall afresh on our world!
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers
30-33: The
Israelites waged war against the Midianites and claimed their land and the land of
Canaan.
To the sons of Gad, Reuben and Manasseh
were given the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites
and the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan.
The land of Canaan was divided by lot among the Israelite clans
Dear God, please give
peace to the people of the Middle East
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
146: My soul, give
praise to the Lord.
I will praise the Lord all my days. Put no trust in
princes,
in mortal men in whom there is no help. Take their breath, they
return to clay
and their plans that day come to nothing. They are happy who are
helped by Jacob's God,
whose hope is in the Lord our God, who alone made heaven
and earth,
the seas and all they contain. It is he who gives
bread to the hungry,
the Lord, who sets prisoners free. It is the Lord who
gives sight to the blind,
who raises up those who are bowed down. It is the Lord who
protects the stranger
and upholds the widow and orphan. It is the Lord who
loves the just
but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for
ever,
Zion's God, from age to age.
Lord, please increase my trust
and faith in you
Listen
1
Thessalonians 3.11-13: May God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ
make it easy for us to visit you again. May the Lord be generous in increasing your
love, and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we
love you. May the Lord so confirm your hearts in
holiness, that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father
when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints
Jesus, please increase my love for the whole
human race
Listen
John 17.1-11:
‘Father, the hour has come:
Reflection: In this week before Pentecost, we ask the Holy Spirit to help all people "know the only true God"
------------------------------
A Pastor is preaching on Loving
Your Enemies.
Every hand in the congregation goes up except for one
The pastor sees that it is a little old lady in the front row
He asks the woman "Why can't you love your enemies?"
The little old lady says "Pastor, I can honestly say I have no enemies"
The pastor says "That's incredible, may I ask how old you are?"
"96"
The pastor says "96 years old and no enemies? That's incredible. Would you mind sharing how you have achieved this?
The little old lady totters to the front of the church, turns around to the congregation and says "I outlived all those snakes"
-------------------------------
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 23rd
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guangxi
And praying for one of
the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Togo
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
-------------------------
-----------------------
Mon May 22
Daily
new Covid cases in HK 10,000? 50,000? (... I meet so many people these
days who say
"many of my friends/colleagues are positive"...)
AUD$23
million of cannibis seized in Queensland
To prepare for Pentecost (May 28), let's reflect on the Holy Spirit each day
this week:
Cloud and
light. These two images occur together
in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. In the theophanies of the Old
Testament, the cloud,
now obscure, now luminous, reveals the living and saving God, while veiling
the transcendence of his glory - with Moses on Mount Sinai, at the tent of
meeting, and during the wandering in the desert, and with Solomon at the
dedication of the Temple. In the Holy Spirit, Christ fulfills these figures.
The Spirit comes upon the Virgin Mary and "overshadows"
her, so that she might conceive and give birth to Jesus. On the mountain of
Transfiguration, the Spirit in the "cloud came
and overshadowed" Jesus, Moses and Elijah, Peter, James and John, and
"a voice came out of the
cloud, saying, 'This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!' Finally, the
cloud took Jesus out of the sight of the disciples. (CCC
697)
In this week before Pentecost let's often pray each day: Come
Holy Spirit, fall afresh on our world!
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers
28-29:
Times for the Israelites
to offer sacrifices to God:
- daily
- the Sabbath
- the feast of the New Moon of each month
- the feast of Unleavened Bread (14th day of 1st month)
- the feast of Weeks
- the feast of Acclamations (1st day of 7th month)
- the day of Atonement (10th day of 7th month)
- the feast of Tabernacles (15th day of 7th month)
Dear God, thank you for
special days and seasons to honor you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
145: I will give you glory, O God my king.
I will bless your name day after day. The Lord is great, worthy of all praise.
His greatness cannot be measured. Age to age shall proclaim your works,
shall speak of your splendor and glory. The Lord is kind and full of
compassion,
slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all,
compassionate to all his creatures. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,
and tell all the world of your love. The Lord is faithful in all his words
and loving in all his deeds. The Lord supports all who fall
and raises all who are bowed down. The eyes of all creatures look to you
and you give them their food each day. The Lord is close to all who call him,
who call on him from their hearts. Let the whole world bless the Lord's holy
name,
for ever, for ages unending.
Thank you, Lord, for your love.
Thank you for your love
Listen
1
Thessalonians 2.13-16: As soon as you heard
the Good News, you
accepted it as God's message and not just some human thinking. This message is still a living power among you.
For the sake of the Good News, you have been
badly treated by your own countrymen, just as Christians in Judea have
been badly treated by the Jews. The Jews have been persecuting us and
hindering us from spreading the Good News
Jesus, please help people who are being
hindered from spreading the message of your love
Listen
Matthew
17.14-20: A man went down on his knees and pleaded with
Jesus:
"Lord, please help my son. He is crazy and does crazy things
like falling into fire and into water.
I asked your disciples to heal him but they were not able to." There was an evil spirit oppressing the boy,
so Jesus ordered the spirit to leave the boy.
The boy was healed immediately. Jesus' disciples asked him
"Why were we unable to expel that spirit?" Jesus answered "Because your faith is not
strong enough."
Jesus, please increase my
faith,
so that my prayers can be of more help to other people
Listen
Reflection: Three ways to help our faith grow ..... more time for Bible reading .... study inspiring examples of faith (e.g. many Youtube programs about saints and famous Christians) ..... more concern/help for others (= faith in action)
-------------------------
Very hot here yesterday .... 29 but felt like 35!
--------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun May 21
The
Ascension of Jesus
Sunday
Examiner article about proposed MercyHK canteen in Temple Street
On
this day in 1861, in Marseilles, a French bishop died at the age of 78. He had
been born into an aristocratic family which was forced to flee from the French
Revolution. His family went to Italy as refugees. His parents had an unhappy
marriage and eventually divorced. In Italy the young Eugene de Mazenod had an
overpowering experience of the love of Jesus on the Cross. Eugene became a
priest and dedicated himself to serving the poorest parts of French society
such as prisoners and domestic servants. To further his work he joined with
other priests to form a new congregation in the Church. The group came to be
known as the Oblates
of Mary Immaculate.
Today the Oblates have around 3,000 members working for the poor in most
countries of the world. Saint
Eugene de Mazenod, pray for us! ***
HK
parents
upset at Education Dept treatment of O.M.I. primary school
Laudato
Si:THE
HUMAN ROOTS OF THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS
101.
It would hardly be helpful to describe symptoms without acknowledging the
human origins of the ecological crisis. A certain way of understanding
human life and activity has gone awry, to the serious detriment of the world
around us. Should we not pause and consider this? At this stage, I propose
that we focus on the dominant technocratic paradigm and the place of human
beings and of human action in the world.
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 41
of Document on The
Liturgy
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. Feast of the Ascension
Acts
1.6-11: On
the day he was taken up to heaven, Jesus said to his apostles "You will
receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Then you will be my witnesses
in every part of the world". As he said this, he
was lifted up while they watched. A cloud took him from their sight.
Then two angels appeared to them and said "Jesus who has been taken up
from you, will come back some day in the same way as you have seen him
leave".
Jesus,
help me be your witness by the way I think and speak and live
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
47-48: All
peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy. For the Lord,
our Creator, we must love and honor, great king over all the earth. Especially
in his holy city is the Lord worthy to be praised. Praise is fitting in Mount
Sion, our earth's most sacred site. O God, as we pray in your temple, our
hearts meditate on your love. May peoples and rulers everywhere acknowledge
and love you as Creator of the Universe
Let all the peoples praise you, Lord.
Let all the peoples praise you
Recording
Ephesians
1.16-18: I
never fail to remember you in my prayers and to thank God for you. May the God
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you more and more wisdom
and knowledge to see ever more clearly his great love for you. May he
enlighten your mind to
hope for the glorious life he has prepared for us in heaven.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may I see you
more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day
Recording
Matthew
28.16-20: The
11 apostles went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet
them. When they saw him they fell down before him in worship. Jesus said to
them "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go,
therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to understand and
live according to my words. And
know that I am with you always, yes, to the end of time".
Jesus,
"God-with-us", please help us live our lives according to your
teaching ....and thank you, Matthew, for this beautiful Gospel Report
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: God the Son became a baby in Mary's womb when the Holy Spirit "overshadowed" Mary .... "shadow" ... cloud. Jesus went back to Heaven "when a cloud took him from their sight". Not Cathay Pacific or Qantas ... Jesus travelled by Holy Spirit Airways!
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
-------------------------------
Joke
about Heaven for Feast of the Ascension:
Elderly man told by doctor he would depart this life soon. Devoted wife, determined to save her husband, concocts special bran muffins ...which husband has as his only food .... 3 times a day .... and his condition improves ....and he doesn't die ....but lives for another 15 years. But then the couple are involved in a fatal traffic accident and leave this life together. On arrival at the pearly gates they meet Saint Peter, who says "Let me show you around" He points to a mansion and says "That will be your house, located next to the country club." The old man asks, "and how much will that cost?" St Peter replies, "oh there's no charge, it's free, you're in heaven". He adds, "the country club has no fees or costs either" The old man is really happy by now and asks about food. St Peter says, "Although you don't need to eat, we do have the finest buffets with every possible type of food". The old man asks, "Aren't those bad for our health?" St Peter assures him, "You're in heaven now, there is no need to worry about your health." The old man turns to his wife and angrily says to her "If it wasn't for you and your bran muffins, we could have been here 15 years ago!"
------------------------------
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 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people 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, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat May 20
The
humor of President Regan (best one is about the 3 legged chicken!)
Laudato
Si:
100.
The New Testament does not only tell us of the earthly Jesus and his tangible
and loving relationship with the world. It also shows him risen and glorious,
present throughout creation by his universal Lordship: "For in him all
the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to
himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood
of his cross". This leads us to direct our gaze to the end of time, when
the Son will deliver all things to the Father, so that "God may be
everything to every one". Thus, the creatures of this world no longer
appear to us under merely natural guise because the risen One is mysteriously
holding them to himself and directing them towards fullness as their end. The
very flowers of the field and the birds which his human eyes contemplated and
admired are now imbued with his radiant presence.
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 37
of Document on The
Liturgy
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers
26-27: Moses made
a census of all the men in the community.
The total number was 624,730.
Moses also gave a ruling concerning inheritance:
"If a man dies without sons,
his inheritance is to pass to his daughters.
If he has no daughter, the inheritance is to go to his brothers.
If he has no brother, it is to go to his father's brothers.
If his father has no brothers,
it is to go to the member of his clan who is his closest relative".
As Moses neared the end of his life, he asked God for someone to succeed him as leader.
God answered:
"Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom the spirit dwells.
Lay your hands on him, then bring him before Eleazar the priest
and the whole community so that everyone will obey him".
Dear God, please
bless all my relatives...and people in authority
01
02
Psalm
144: Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who gives me strength for every situation. He is my love, my fortress.
He is my stronghold, my savior. To you, O God, will I sing a new song,
you who so often rescued David your servant. Happy the people whose God is the Lord.
Please continue to bless your people, Lord. Let our sons flourish like saplings
grown tall and strong from their youth;
our daughters graceful as columns,
adorned as though for a palace.
Let our crops and stock be blessed.
May there be no sound of weeping on our streets.
Lord, please help us love and
honor you every day.
Don't let us ever forget your love
Listen
1
Thessalonians 1.7 - 2.12: You are a great example to other
believers,
since it was from you that the word of the Lord spread to many places.
Everyone knows how we planted the Good News in
your hearts, and
how you broke with idolatry and became servants of the living God. Let me remind you how we loved and served you,
like loving parents caring for their dear children
Jesus, thank you for the people who nurtured
me as a Christian
Listen
Matthew
17.1-8: One day Jesus took his disciples Peter, James
and John
up a high mountain.
On the mountain Jesus' whole appearance changed.
His face shone like the sun. His clothes were as white as snow. The prophets Moses and Elijah appeared
and spoke with him. Peter said to Jesus "Lord, how good it is for
us to be here!" Then a bright cloud covered them with its
shadow.
From the cloud came a voice:
"This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him." The disciples bowed to the ground.
When they got up, they saw only Jesus in his normal appearance.
Jesus, Beloved Son of God,
how good it is to spend time with you in prayer.
Listen
Reflection: One of my favorite songs, based on today's Gospel: Transfiguration
------------
To ease the shortage of housing in HK, someone has
suggested turning HK's (unsuccessful) Disneyland into a housing 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, Saturday,
please bless the people of Central
& North America
And
praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the
month:
On this 20th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people 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, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri May 19
Yesterday I was at Lo Wu women's prison for about 5
hours .... spending a bit of special time in the prison
hospital with a woman who has stage two cancer. After which I went to nearby
North District Hospital to pray with an 88 year old dear friend from Notre
Dame days who is getting ready for Heaven Days.
Italian
sniffer dogs finds 2,700kg of cocaine in bananas!
Why
the US is the only major country without a proper health care system
Laudato
Si:
99. In the Christian understanding of the
world, the destiny of all creation is bound up with the mystery of Christ,
present from the beginning: "All things have been created though him and
for him". The prologue of the Gospel of John reveals Christ's
creative work as the Divine Word (Logos). But then, unexpectedly, the prologue
goes on to say that this same Word "became flesh". One
Person of the Trinity entered into the created cosmos, throwing in his
lot with it, even to the cross. From the beginning of the world, but
particularly through the incarnation, the mystery of Christ is at work in a
hidden manner in the natural world as a whole, without thereby impinging on
its autonomy.
Pope
asking we re-read main documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on
Article 36
of Document on The
Liturgy
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers 25: For a while the
Israelites settled in the area of Shittim.
In that place the Israelite men gave themselves over to debauchery with the women of
Midian.
The Israelites joined these women in sacrifices to local idols.
God therefore sent a plague to punish the Israelites
and thousands of people died.
God commanded Moses to execute Israelites
who had taken
part in sacrifices to local idols.
Phinehas the priest, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron
showed his loyalty and zeal by personally
executing one of the main offenders, at a time when most people didn't care what was
happening.
Dear God, please help us
to care about what goes on around us
and what is happening in the world
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
140-143: Lord, save me from
people who do evil,
you who do justice for the needy. I have no way out of
this situation.
And no one wants to help me. Lord, I beg you tonight
to make haste and give me an answer,
for my spirit fails within me. In the morning let me know your love
for I put my trust in you.
Lord, please help people who
are in big trouble
Listen
1
Thessalonians 1.1-6: From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy
to the Church of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
in Thessalonika. Wishing you grace and peace. In my prayers for you, I thank God our Father
for your faith in action, your work for love, and your
persevering hope.
When we brought the Good News to you, it came
to you not just as words, but as power from the Holy Spirit. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, you accepted
the Good News,
despite great opposition from many quarters
Jesus, help people accept the Good News,
despite opposition
Listen
Matthew
16.21-28: Jesus now began explaining to his disciples
how he must go to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise from the dead. He also said "If you want to be my disciple, you must deny yourself,
take up your own cross, and follow me. Selfishness will ruin your life.
Self-sacrificing will bless your life. What use is it to have everything in this
world
yet miss out on Heaven?"
Jesus, please help me find my
life by losing it in service of others
Listen
Reflection: As someone once said about 40 years ago "what this world needs is not some economist's theories, but a great mood of unselfishness"
-------------------------
Last Friday at Lo Wu prison I forgot my long umbrella.
Yesterday, thanks to the help of a kind welfare officer, I got the umbrella
back .... and managed to get it back to the Dr Jesus Centre without losing it
again!
-------------------------
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 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shanxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 19th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Haiti
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu May 18
One
of the O.M.I. primary schools in HK has been closed down by the Education
Department - Video report in Cantonese here.
Closure is confirmed and definite
Friday
May 26, a public holiday in HK
for Buddha's Birthday, everyone welcome to join me for a hike to Big Wave Bay
on HK Island .... leaving from Jordan MTR (Exit A down inside the station) at
9am ... then MTR to Chai Wan (can meet you there if you like)...then
walk up through cemetery ... then down to BWB. Returning the same way. Much
the same as previous
hike on May 17 last year (...except not going to Shek O
this time). Need water, hat, umbrella, (swimming togs) ... and no need to
bring much food ...food will be provided!
Laudato
Si:
98. Jesus lived in full harmony with
creation, and others were amazed: "What sort of man is this, that even
the winds and the sea obey him?". His appearance was not that of an
ascetic set apart from the world, nor of an enemy to the pleasant things of
life. Of himself he said: "The Son of Man came eating and drinking and
they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard!'". He
was far removed from philosophies which despised the body, matter and the
things of the world. Such unhealthy dualisms, nonetheless, left a mark on
certain Christian thinkers in the course of history and disfigured the Gospel.
Jesus worked with his hands, in daily contact with the matter created by God,
to which he gave form by his craftsmanship. It is striking that most of his
life was dedicated to this task in a simple life which awakened no admiration
at all: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?". In this way
he sanctified human labour and endowed it with a special significance for our
development. As Saint John Paul II taught, "by enduring the toil of work
in union with Christ crucified for us, man in a way collaborates with the Son
of God for the redemption of humanity".
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 35
of Document on The
Liturgy
-------------------------
The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers 23-24:
When Balaam came to the
king of Moab,
the king again tried to get Balaam to curse the Israelites.
But Balaam followed God's words and said:
"How can I curse people that God does not curse?
These people are specially blessed by God.
How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob.
How lovely are your dwellings, O Israel.
From you will come a mighty one
who will reign over countless peoples.
A star from Jacob will be leader".
Dear
God, please bless the Jewish people with peace and love
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
139: O Lord, you search me and you know me.
You know my resting and my rising. You know exactly what's going on in my life,
all my ways are an open book to you. Before ever a word is on my tongue, you know, O Lord, what I'm going to say.
Your knowledge is beyond my understanding,
too high, beyond my reach. It was you who created my being,
knit me together in my mother's womb. I thank you for the wonder of my life,
for the wonders of all your creation.
Lord, thank you for the gift of
life. Please help me follow the path to eternal life
Listen
Colossians
4.3-21: Pray for me, in my chains,
that I may proclaim the message of Christ as clearly as I should. Be tactful with people who are not Christians.
Use friendly conversation with them. Greetings from the believers here with me.
Greetings to all the believers in your area. Grace be with you all
Jesus, may my conversation with non-Christians
help them know you
Listen
Matthew
16.13-20: One day Jesus asked his disciples
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" The disciples replied
"Some people say you are one of the famous prophets". Jesus then asked them
"And what about you. Who do you say I am?" Peter answered
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".
Jesus then said to Peter
"Blessed are you, for my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. So I now say to you:
you are Peter ('the rock') and on this rock I will build my church.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom."
Jesus, Son of God, please help the church to continue your work on earth
Listen
Reflection: Some people deny the world has a Creator (..."it just happened"...), some people deny the early church had an authority structure that decided which books should be in the Bible (... "the books just selected themselves") ... but today's Gospel reminds us that Jesus set up an authority structure based on Peter
---------
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 one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 18th 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed May 17
Yesterday with fellow Voice
for Prisoners team members Jane and Flora I attended a gathering of
about 100 domestic workers at the Indonesian Consulate... to spread the
message of the danger of being tricked to collect or deliver parcels of drugs
... for which around 20 Indonesian women are now in prison in HK
Last night two Correctional Service social workers visited our
MercyHK shelter for single mothers .... where a young mother and her two month
old most gorgeous little girl arrived two days ago on the mother's release
from detention ... beginning a probation year.
Cocaine
in bedsheets from Brazil - the fifth case from Brazil recently!
Laudato
Si:
97.
The Lord was able to invite others to
be attentive to the beauty that there is in the world because he
himself was in constant touch with nature, lending it an attention full of
fondness and wonder. As he made his way throughout the land, he often stopped
to contemplate the beauty sown by his Father, and invited his disciples to
perceive a divine message in things: "Lift up your eyes, and see how the
fields are already white for harvest". "The kingdom of God is
like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; it is
the smallest of all seeds, but once it has grown, it is the greatest of plants"
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 27
of Document on The
Liturgy
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings +
recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Numbers 21-22: As the Israelites
continued their journey,
a number of kings did battle with them.
One of these was Og, king of Bashan.
God said to Moses:
"Do not be afraid of him, for I have given him
into your power". Israel then easily defeated Og and occupied his land.
The king of Moab also wanted to attack the Israelites,
but before attacking, he consulted Balaam son of Beor
who was a type of prophet and could see the future.
Several times the king asked Balaam to curse the Israelites,
but each time he blessed them, because this is what God told him to do:
"You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed".
The king then summoned Balaam to his presence.
Balaam began his journey to the king, travelling on a donkey.
God sent an angel with a sword to block Balaam's way.
The donkey could see the angel, so she left the road to make a detour. Balaam hit her and made her return to the road.
On the road the donkey again saw the angel
and just lay down on the road.
Balaam was very angry and hit her with a stick.
Then God made the donkey speak:
"Why did you hit me? Haven't I always been faithful to
you?"
God now opened Balaam's eyes
and he saw the angel with a sword.
Balaam realized that the donkey had saved his life.
The angel then told Balaam to continue his journey
but to say to the king only what God said to say.
Dear
God, please stop people from being cruel to animals
01
02 03
Psalm
138: I thank you, Lord, with all my heart.
You have heard the words of my mouth. With the angels I will bless you.
I will adore you in your holy temple. I thank you for your faithfulness and love
which are far above what we can understand. On the day I called you answered.
You increased the strength of my soul. All earth's kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the Lord's ways:
"How great is the glory of the Lord!" Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes. Your love, O Lord, is eternal.
Do not abandon us whom you have made.
Lord, when we remember how much
you love us and help us, every day of the year is a Thanksgiving Day
Listen
Colossians
3.18 - 4.1: Wives and
husbands, understand and support
each other. Children, be obedient to your parents.
Parents, treat your children fairly or else they will rebel.
Slaves, be obedient and respectful to your
owners.
Offer up your work to the Lord, our Heavenly Owner. Owners, be just and fair to your slaves.
Remember your Heavenly Owner
Jesus, help
families to live
together in harmony
Listen
Matthew
15.29-31: Jesus went up into the hills near the Lake of
Galilee.
Large crowds came to him bringing
the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others. These they put down at Jesus' feet.
Jesus healed them all. The crowds praised the God of Israel
when they saw the dumb speaking, cripples whole again,
the lame walking and the blind able to see.
Jesus,
please give sick people more faith in your healing love
Listen
Reflection: Many stories of people in our day being healed by Jesus here
---------------------------
To go with first reading ....a preacher's prayer before
sermon: "God, you once spoke through an ass. Please help me speak
now"!
-------------------------
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 17th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shaanxi
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ethiopia
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
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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
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