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 July 25
I spent yesterday morning with a media team .... and the afternoon was spent mainly on setting up accommodation for a person soon coming out of detention on bail please God! Today I hope to visit a prison ... mainly to hand in payments for inmates to take study courses.
What to
do if you receive a message from Copytrack
AUD$61
million yacht cocaine seizure in Townsville
Laudato
Si:
153.
The quality of life in cities has much
to do with systems of transport, which are often a source of much
suffering for those who use them. Many cars, used by one or more people,
circulate in cities, causing traffic congestion, raising the level of
pollution, and consuming enormous quantities of non-renewable energy. This
makes it necessary to build more roads and parking areas which spoil the urban
landscape. Many specialists agree on the need to give priority to public
transportation. Yet some measures needed will not prove easily acceptable to
society unless substantial improvements are made in the systems themselves,
which in many cities force people to put up with undignified conditions due to
crowding, inconvenience, infrequent service and lack of safety.
Pope
asks we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 35
of Church in the
World
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Feast of St James
2
Corinthians 4.8-51: 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
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
126: When the Lord
delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled
with laughter,
on our lips there were songs. What marvels the Lord worked for us. Indeed we
were glad. Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap. They go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the
sowing. They
come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.
Dear God, please bless all people who are sorrowful as they work
Listen
Acts
12.1-2 (For
Feast of St James): About
this time, King Herod began persecuting the church. He
beheaded the apostle James, brother of John. He arrested Peter during
Passover time. He put Peter in prison and planned to have him put on trial and
killed after Passover
Listen
Matthew
20.20-28: The
brothers James and
John were two of Jesus' disciples. One day their mother said to Jesus
"When you become king, allow my sons to sit at your right and left".
Jesus said to James and
John "Only my Father in heaven can allocate seats on my right and
left". The 10 other disciples were angry at James and
John for seeking honor. So Jesus said to them all
"In most places, people in power like to dominate and control others. But
this is not to be your way of exercising authority. You
must exercise authority by serving others, not dominating them, just as
I came not to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for the
world".
Jesus, please help me want to help and serve other people, not dominate and
control them
Listen
------------------------------
So many things happened yesterday that last night felt a
bit like Thursday or Friday .... end of week feeling!
-------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon July 24
HK
woman arrested in Japan for drug trafficking
This week I am due to be at High Court for at least one bail
application case. Jesus, please bless the judge(s)!
Laudato
Si:
152. Lack of housing is a grave
problem in many parts of the world, both in rural areas and in large
cities, since state budgets usually cover only a small portion of the demand.
Not only the poor, but many other members of society as well, find it
difficult to own a home. Having a home has much to do with a sense of personal
dignity and the growth of families. This is a major issue for human ecology.
In some places, where makeshift shanty towns have sprung up, this will mean
developing those neighbourhoods rather than razing or displacing them. When
the poor live in unsanitary slums or in dangerous tenements, "in cases
where it is necessary to relocate them, in order not to heap suffering upon
suffering, adequate information needs to be given beforehand, with choices of
decent housing offered, and the people directly involved must be part of the
process". At the same time, creativity should be shown in
integrating rundown neighbourhoods into a welcoming city: "How beautiful
those cities which overcome paralyzing mistrust, integrate those who are
different and make this very integration a new factor of development! How
attractive are those cities which, even in their architectural design, are
full of spaces which connect, relate and favour the recognition of others!
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 34
of Church in the
World
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Judges
14: Samson
wanted to marry a Philistine woman,
even though custom required he marry an Israelite. On his way to
visit
the woman in Philistine territory,
Samson was confronted by a young lion. The spirit of the Lord
filled Samson
and he tore the lion to pieces with his bare hands. On his next visit to
the woman's home, Samson saw that in the carcass of the dead lion there was a swarm of bees, and honey.
The people of the
village made a wedding feast for 7 days.
But they were scared of Samson
so they assigned 30 men to stay with him. Samson challenged them
to answer a riddle:
if they got the right answer before the 7 days were over,
he would give them 30 pieces of silver and 30 festal robes. But if they failed to
get the right answer,
they had to give Samson 30 pieces of silver and 30 robes.
They agreed to the challenge. Samson stated his
riddle:
"Out of the eater came what is eaten,
out of the strong came what is sweet". Three days went by and
they could not solve the riddle.
So they asked Samson's wife to find out the answer. Day after day she
pestered Samson with pleading and tears
until, on the 7th day, he told her. She then told the men. The men then said to
Samson:
"What is sweeter than honey,
and what is stronger than a lion?" Samson
then went to a nearby Philistine town
and killed 30 men there. He took their robes and
gave them to the 30 wedding feast guests.
Full of anger, he stormed out of the village
and returned to his parents' house. His wife was then given to
the companion
who had been his best man.
Dear
God, please help me control my anger
01
02
Psalms
79-80: O God, the nations have invaded your sacred
land,
they have profaned your holy temple.
They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins. We have become the taunt of our
neighbours,
the mockery and scorn of those who surround us. How long, O Lord, will all this last?
How long will this sorrow keep going? Do not hold the guilt of our ancestors against
us.
If their guilt is somehow influencing our situation now
please give peace and healing to everyone and everything
in our history. Let the groans of the prisoners come before
you.
Let your strong arm reprieve those condemned to die. O Lord, our God, help us and save us.
Let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Lord, please heal any problems
in my family tree
Listen
Hebrews
8.9 - 9.14: Jesus' priesthood is part of the new covenant
predicted in the Scriptures: "See, the days are coming - it is the
Lord who speaks - when I will establish a new covenant with the House of
Israel". Jesus
has come as High Priest of all the
blessings that were predicted would be part of the new covenant. He has offered not the blood of animals like
priests of the old covenant, but his own blood, by which he won our
redemption. His blood can purify our inner self from dead
actions,
to help us in our life of dedication to the living God
Jesus, by your precious blood, purify my heart
and protect me
Listen
Mark
3.13-19: Jesus went up a hill and called his
disciples.
He chose 12 of them to be his special companions.
He commissioned them for preaching.
He gave them power to cast out devils. The names of the 12:
Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter;
James and John the sons of Zebedee. Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,
James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
and Judas Iscariot the one who would betray him.
Jesus, please bless and protect
all Gospel workers
Listen
Reflection: Resumes of the 12 apostles!
-------------------------
To go with today's Gospel:
--------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun July 23
Someone once said it's good to have some healthy distractions ... in fact Google offers a list of 60 healthy distractions. For me Australian football is my HD .... so much so that at yesterday afternoon's prayer meeting for healing a part of my brain/heart was at the football in Brisbane. In fact when some people came late after the prayer meeting had started I stole a look at the scores on my PC when I opened the door for the latecomers .... for this crucial game between my Brisbane Lions and Geelong .... which Brisbane narrowly won.
Laudato
Si:
151.
There is also a need to protect those
common areas, visual landmarks and urban landscapes which increase our sense
of belonging, of rootedness, of "feeling at home" within a
city which includes us and brings us together. It is important that the
different parts of a city be well integrated and that those who live there
have a sense of the whole, rather than being confined to one neighbourhood and
failing to see the larger city as space which they share with others.
Interventions which affect the urban or rural landscape should take into
account how various elements combine to form a whole which is perceived by its
inhabitants as a coherent and meaningful framework for their lives. Others
will then no longer be seen as strangers, but as part of a "we"
which all of us are working to create. For this same reason, in both urban and
rural settings, it is helpful to set aside some places which can be preserved
and protected from constant changes brought by human intervention.
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 33
of Church in the
World
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. Readings for Sunday 16:
Wisdom 10-19: Wisdom has
been present in the world since the beginning of time. Wisdom has always been
a close friend of good people. Wise people see God in the beauty of creation.
Foolish people are blind to God's presence in creation. Wise people ponder
God's goodness and kindness. Wise
people try to be good and kind to other people.
Lord, please help me see and imitate your goodness and kindness
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
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
Recording
Romans
8.26-29: When we are not
sure of what to say in prayer, we ask the Spirit to pray in us. We
know that by turning everything to their good, God blesses everyone who loves
him. God the Father wants us to become living images of his Son, so
that his Son will be the eldest of many brothers and sisters.
Jesus, brother Jesus,
please help me to be more like you
Recording
Matthew
13: Jesus told the people another story:
The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. An enemy
came and sowed weeds in the same field. When the good seed sprouted, so did
the weeds. The man's servants asked if they should get rid of the weeds.
"No", said the man, "you might damage the good seed if you do
that. Let
them both grow till harvest time. Then burn the weeds." Then Jesus
explained his story: "I am the sower. The field is the world. The good
seed stands for people of good will. The weeds stand for people of bad will.
The enemy is Satan. At the end of the world, the Son of Man will send his
angels to sort out the good and the bad people. Bad people will go to hell.
Good people will go to heaven".
Jesus, please protect good people from bad people
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
Pope Francis' words about the weeds in today's Gospel - good for parents/teachers etc:An evangelizing community is always concerned with fruit, because the Lord wants her to be fruitful. It cares for the grain and does not grow impatient at the weeds. The sower, when he sees weeds sprouting among the grain does not grumble or overreact. He or she finds a way to let the word take flesh in a particular situation and bear fruits of new life, however imperfect or incomplete these may appear. (Joy of the Gospel, No. 24)
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
-------------------------------
An
old physician, Doctor John Geezer, became very bored in retirement and decided
to re-open a medical clinic.
He
put a sign up outside that read: "Dr. Geezer's clinic. Get your treatment
for $500 - if not cured, get back $1,000."
Doctor
Digger Young, who was positive that this old geezer didn't know beans about
medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000. So he went
to Dr. Geezer's clinic.
Dr.
Young:
"Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help
me?"
Dr.
Geezer:
"Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr. Young's
mouth."
Dr.
Young:
'Aaagh! -- This is Gasoline!"
Dr.
Geezer:
"Congratulations! You've got your taste back. That will be $500."
Dr.
Young gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days figuring to recover
his money.
Dr.
Young:
"I have lost my memory, I cannot remember anything."
Dr.
Geezer:
"Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the
patient's mouth."
Dr.
Young:
"Oh, no you don't -- that is Gasoline!"
Dr.
Geezer:
"Congratulations! You've got your memory back. That will be $500."
Dr.
Young (after having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several
more days.
Dr.
Young:
"My eyesight has become weak --- I can hardly see anything!"
Dr.
Geezer:
"Well, I don't have any medicine for that so, Here's your $1000
back" (giving him a $10 bill).
Dr.
Young:
"But this is only $10!"
Dr.
Geezer:
"Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500."
------------------------------
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 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, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat July 22
A Kenyan woman on death row in Malaysia has just had her sentence commuted and will
be released in 2 years! Thank
you Jesus!
I visited her in 2016 in her prison in Malaysia (my only time ever to visit
someone on death row) and have been in contact with her legal team since then.
Message from lawyer and background letter here
(July 20)
Laudato
Si:
150.
Given the interrelationship between living space and human behaviour, those
who design buildings, neighbourhoods, public spaces and cities, ought to draw
on the various disciplines which help us to understand people's thought
processes, symbolic language and ways of acting. It is not enough to seek the
beauty of design. More precious still is the service we offer to another kind
of beauty: people's quality of life, their adaptation to the environment,
encounter and mutual assistance. Here
too, we see how important it is that urban planning always take into
consideration the views of those who will live in these areas.
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 32
of Church in the
World
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Feast of Mary Magdalene
Song of Songs 3.1-4: The
bride says: On
my bed, at night, I sought him
whom my heart loves. I sought but did not find him. So I will rise
and go through the City; in the streets and in the squares, I will seek him
whom my heart loves. I sought, but did not find him. The watchmen came upon
me on their rounds in the City: "Have you seen him whom my heart
loves?" Scarcely had I passed them, when I found him whom my heart
loves.
Jesus, please increase my love for you, my
longing for you.
My recording of this reading
Psalm 63: 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.
Lord, our hearts are restless, until they rest in you
Recording
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 "How Great Thou Art"
Recording
John 20.11-18: Peter
and John went home. Mary
(Magdalene) remained at the tomb, crying. When she looked inside the
tomb, she saw two angels in white. She also saw Jesus standing there, though
she did not recognize him. Jesus said "Woman, why are you
crying?". Mary thought he was the gardener so she said to him "If
you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him". Jesus said
"Mary" and she recognized him. Jesus then said "I will ascend
to my Father". Mary went and told the disciples all she had seen and
heard.
Jesus, please bless people who are crying at
funerals today. May awareness of your presence bring them peace and
strength for the days ahead
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
Apostles' "right brain" said "no use staying at empty tomb. Can't do anything. Useless to stay". Mary Magdalene's feminine intuition said "Stay. Not sure why. But it's best to stay".
------------
Ice?!?
(check the video ..)
------------------------------
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 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, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri July 21
Yesterday I was a guest speaker for a Rotary
lunch at the
Peninsula Hotel .... Rotary members kindly interested in helping my NGO Voice
for Prisoners to raise funds to employ another staff member to handle our
rapidly growing load of work ... especially our work trying to stop people
bringing drugs to HK. Yesterday was only my 2nd time in 38 years to go to the
Peninsula Hotel ... in 38 years....the first time being about 30 years ago
when some overseas visitors invited me there for afternoon tea
Laudato
Si: ((this
is good!))
149.
The extreme poverty experienced in areas lacking harmony, open spaces or
potential for integration, can lead to incidents of brutality and to
exploitation by criminal organizations. In the unstable neighbourhoods of
mega-cities, the daily experience of overcrowding and social anonymity can
create a sense of uprootedness which spawns antisocial behaviour and violence.
Nonetheless, I wish to insist that
love always proves more powerful. Many people in these conditions are
able to weave bonds of belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding
into an experience of community in which the walls of the ego are torn down
and the barriers of selfishness overcome. This experience of a communitarian
salvation often generates creative ideas for the improvement of a building or
a neighbourhood.
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My reflection on Article 31
of Church in the
World
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Judges 12-13: Jephthah
was judge in Israel for 6 years.
For the following 25 years,
Ibzan (7 years), Elon (10 years) and Abdon (8 years) were
judges. After these judges, the
Israelites again were unfaithful to the Lord
and so they were oppressed by the Philistines for 40 years. It was then that the
angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife
and said to her:
"You are barren and have had no child.
But you will soon conceive and bear a son. No razor is to touch his head,
for he shall be dedicated to the Lord from his mother's womb.
It is he who will rescue Israel from the Philistines". The woman gave birth to
a son and called him Samson.
The child grew and the Lord blessed him.
Dear
Lord, please bless all barren women
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
78: Listen, everyone, to my teaching.
I will recount the lessons of our history. The things our parents have told us,
we will not hide from our children,
but will pass them on to the next generation. We want the next generation to know all that the Lord has done for us in the past.
May the next generation in turn
pass on this knowledge to their own children,
so that they too will put their hope in God
and never forget all that God has done for us. May future generations not be like our
ancestors
who so often were unfaithful to God. Even though our ancestors had seen God part
the sea,
even though they had seen him provide food and water for them
in the desert, still they went on sinning. Yet he who is full of compassion forgave and
spared them.
He remembered they were only weak humans. Eventually he brought them to the promised
land
and gave a home to each of Israel's tribes. But still they sinned by building mountain
shrines
and serving idols. Then God raised up David to be their
leader. God called him from looking after sheep
to be the shepherd of his people.
Lord, help us not to forget all
you have done for us
01
02
Hebrews
7.1-28: Melchizedek was king of Salem and a priest of
God. He blessed Abraham. Abraham gave Melchizedek 10% of all
he had. Melchizedek's priesthood continued down
the ages in people dedicated to the service of God. It reached its
perfection in the Son of God, the Eternal High Priest. The Son of God, our Lord, did not come from
the priestly tribe of Levi. Everyone knows he came from the tribe of Judah.
This is because he established a new
priesthood, coming not from Levi, but from Melchizedek. This is why the
prophecy was made of him "You are a priest of the order of
Melchizedek, for ever". Jesus' priestly power to save us is utterly
certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God
through him
Jesus, Eternal High Priest, please help all
pastors and priests be more like you every day
Listen
Mark
3.7-12: Jesus went again to the Sea of Galilee.
Great crowds of people from all over the country went to him.
They had heard what he was doing and wanted to see him. Large crowds of sick people pushed forward, trying to touch
Jesus.
They had heard how he had healed so many sick people. Jesus, please heal my friend
(.. name ..) who is sick
Listen
Reflection:
Like the sick
people in the Gospel we also can touch Jesus ... by faith (St Augustine)
-------------------------
Movie
history of The Peninsula Hotel
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu July 20
Yesterday morning after 7.15 Mass at St Paul's Parish, Yau Ma
Tei I took the MTR to St Francis Church, Ma On Shan, for the funeral Mass of
Mr Cheung Si Bing who was the security doorman at Notre Dame College in
Kowloon City for 15 years ...including the 10 years I lived at Notre Dame. He
and his wonderful family have been a special part of the O.M.I. family for the
past four decades. May his prayers in Heaven help us until the day he and St
Peter welcome us at the door of Heaven
Yesterday afternoon was a busy time at the Dr Jesus Centre as a number of people came for meetings and assistance ...with social worker Lucia Leung working non-stop to process all help requests. Meanwhile at our Mercy Centre in Nathan Road there was the usual meeting for local drug addicts .... followed in the evening by the usual meeting at the Dr Jesus Centre for Nepal drug addicts.
SCMP
new report mentions my NGO Voice for Prisoners (on line copy here)
Laudato
Si:
148.
An admirable creativity and generosity is shown by persons and groups who
respond to environmental limitations by alleviating the adverse effects of
their surroundings and learning to orient their lives amid disorder and
uncertainty. For example, in some places, where the faades of buildings are
derelict, people show great care for the interior of their homes, or find
contentment in the kindness and friendliness of others. A wholesome social
life can light up a seemingly undesirable environment. At times a commendable
human ecology is practised by the poor despite numerous hardships. The feeling
of asphyxiation brought on by densely populated residential areas is countered
if close and warm relationships develop, if communities are created, if the
limitations of the environment are compensated for in the interior of each
person who feels held within a network of solidarity and belonging. In
this way, any place can turn from being a hell on earth into the setting for a
dignified life.
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My
reflection on Article 30
of Church in the
World
-------------------------
The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Judges 10-11:
The
Israelites yet again served false gods,
and once more they were oppressed,
this time by the Ammonites. The
Israelites appealed to Jephthah to help them.
Jephthah was the son of a prostitute.
His brothers had driven him from home
and would not give him a share of their father's inheritance. Jephthah
went into exile and became a famous soldier. Jephthah
agreed to help the Israelites
after they agreed to make him their future leader. Jephthah
tried to reason with the Ammonite king,
but the king refused to negotiate a peace agreement. The spirit
of the Lord then came on Jephthah
and he led the Israelites to victory over the Ammonites.
Dear Lord, may
your spirit give courage to all leaders
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
73-77: Sometimes when I see how bad people prosper,
I wonder what's the use in trying to be good? But then I realize that
everyone someday has to pay the bill
for any evil they have bought in the world. Sometimes when I see
our world and religion in ruins,
I wonder why has God abandoned us? Then I remember that
God has promised to break the power
of the wicked. He has promised to give strength to good
people. So may all people honor
the Lord our God and judge.
May the Lord give us his loving help.
Lord,
you are goodness itself. Please help us to be good
and to trust you always
Listen
Hebrews
6.11-19: May every one of you persevere in your
Christian life.
Never give up. Remember how Abraham persevered in following
God,
despite so many difficulties. Take a firm grip on the hope that is held out
to us by God.
This hope is an anchor for us, a lifeline going right up to heaven
Jesus, you are my anchor. You are my lifeline
Listen
Mark 3.1-6: Jesus again went to a prayer hall on the
Sabbath.
In the hall was a man with a withered hand. The religious leaders were watching Jesus to
see if he would heal on the Sabbath, hoping for something to use against
him. Jesus said to the man with the withered hand
"Stand in the middle of the hall". Then he said to the
religious leaders "Is it against the law on the Sabbath to do
good?"
They remained silent. Grieved that they were so obstinate, Jesus looked
angrily round at them, and said to the man "Stretch out your
hand". He stretched it out and it was
healed.
The leaders left and began to plot how to get rid of Jesus.
Jesus, don't let my
heart become obstinate
Listen
Reflection: When healing on the Sabbath is against the law, the law is sick and needs healing!
---------
I'm lucky to live in an area with excellent transport.
Yesterday's trip from nearby Austin MTR station to far away Heng On MTR
station took only 38 minutes.
--------------------
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 20th 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed July 19
Apart from a morning walk to nearby Kowloon Central Post Office
and an afternoon walk to an even nearer fruit market in Reclamation Street, I
spent the day yesterday at my desk/PC doing mainly prison jobs ... including
the processing of many emails and W/App messages. For some reason (because I'm
an English teacher?) at one stage near the post office when I saw a post
office man heading out for deliveries ... ....I reflected on what a tautology,
when spoken, is the term "mailman" ...."male man"!
Laudato
Si:
147.
Authentic development includes efforts to bring about an integral improvement
in the quality of human life, and this entails considering the setting in
which people live their lives. These settings influence the way we think, feel
and act. In our rooms, our homes, our
workplaces and neighbourhoods, we use our environment as a way of expressing
our identity. We make every effort to adapt to our environment, but
when it is disorderly, chaotic or saturated with noise and ugliness, such
overstimulation makes it difficult to find ourselves integrated and happy.
Pope
asking we re-read documents of Vatican 2.
My
reflection on Article 29
of Church
in World
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Judges 9:
Gideon had seventy sons
by his wives and concubines.
One of his sons was Abimelech, son of a concubine. Abimelech became king
after murdering all but one
of his 70 half-brothers.
The half-brother who escaped was Jotham. Abimelech ruled over
Israel for 3 years.
Then God sent a spirit of discord
between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem
rebelled against Abimelech.
Abimelech started attacking and destroying their towns. Abimelech besieged the
town of Thebez.
The people of the town took refuge in a tower. When Abimelech tried to
set fire to the tower,
a woman in the tower threw down a large rock
which crushed Abimelech's head.
Abimelech got his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword,
so that no one could say he was killed by a woman.
Dear
Lord, please stop evil people from hurting other people
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
Hebrews
4.12-16: The word of God is something alive and active.
It goes deep into our hearts. In Jesus we have the supreme high priest who
is now in the highest heaven. He knows how weak we are. He himself was
tempted in every way, but did not sin. Let us be confident in approaching his throne
of grace.
He will give us grace when we are in need of help
Jesus, our high priest, help me when I'm weak
Listen
Mark
2.23-28: One Sabbath day Jesus and his disciples were walking through a
cornfield. The disciples were hungry.
They picked some ears of corn and ate them. (Picking corn on the Sabbath was regarded as unlawful by the
Pharisees).
So the Pharisees said to Jesus
"Your disciples are breaking the Sabbath law". Jesus replied "Don't you remember what King David and his
followers once did when they were hungry? They ate the Temple bread which
only the priests were allowed to eat. Go and learn the meaning of these words
'What I want is mercy, not superficial external
offerings'. I am Master of the Sabbath."
Jesus, please help
me understand that love is more important than law
Listen
Reflection: The opening prayer of last Sunday's Mass had the words "reject what is contrary to the Gospel". Today's Gospel makes me think that not a few current Church laws need revision if not rejection (e.g. about Communion for people in impossible-to-fix divorce situations)
---------------------------
Another
typhoon signal 8 for HK next week?
-------------------------
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 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, 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.
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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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