V2Catholic.com
A voice for the poor
by HK prison chaplain 胡頌恆神父Dr
Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordan
Fr John Wotherspoon
O.M.I.
jdwomi@gmail.com
+852 67095674
Imitating
Pope Francis
My other sites/links
Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through
2024!
Tues Dec 26
Good
King Wenceslas with lyrics -
a famous Dec
26 story about helping the poor ....which makes me
remember the example of the late Archbishop Frank Rush of Brisbane who put on an
apron and served the poor at the grotty St Vincent's Hostel each Christmas Day.
From 2.45pm to 5pm yesterday afternoon a wonderful group of volunteers from the
HK Diocesan Youth Group ...assisted by a most professional group of musicians
... co-ordinated by MercyHK's Lucia ...sang Christmas carols on Temple Street in
front of MercyHK's canteen....as thousands of people walked past in Temple
Street market. Moving! Beautiful! God bless all who arranged, performed and
witnessed the performance!
Tomorrow
I'm due to use my annual holiday time (plus a bit extra for my 50th anniversary
of ordination) to go on another anti-drug campaign trip ... to meet families of
prisoners in HK ... and to meet with various authorities and media people ....
in 13 countries in 6 weeks....due back HK please God on Feb 7 ... to try to stop
drug mules coming to HK (more than 100 arrested at HK airport this year). Thank
you for a prayer for this trip (on which I'll be joined by two HK friends). I'll
try to update this blog each day as on previous trips.
Israel
bombs Gaza on Christmas Day *** Latest
news from Gaza
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Feast of St Stephen - THE STORY OF STEPHEN:
Acts
6.8-15: One of the
seven deacons, Stephen,
was filled with grace and power. He began to do many miracles. A group of Jews
tried to beat Stephen in a debate. But they could not win, because the Holy
Spirit was guiding Stephen in his speech. The group then got some men to falsely
accuse Stephen of being disloyal to Moses and to God. The group had Stephen
arrested and brought before a meeting of the religious leaders. At the meeting,
false witnesses accused Stephen of speaking against Moses and the Law.
Jesus, please protect people who are accused by false witnesses
Recording of this reading
Acts
7.1-54: The meeting of
religious leaders had falsely accused Stephen of
being disloyal to Moses. So
Stephen gave a long speech, full of loyalty to Moses. Then he made a stinging
attack on the leaders: "You stubborn people, with your pagan hearts and
pagan ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors
did. Your ancestors killed the prophets who foretold the coming of the Just One.
You have gone further: you have killed the Just One himself". When the
leaders heard these words, they were very angry and wanted to kill Stephen.
Jesus, Just One from heaven, please don't let me resist the Holy Spirit. Holy
Spirit of God, please increase your influence in my life
Recording
Acts
7.55-58: Stephen,
filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing at God's right hand. "I can see heaven thrown open", he said,
"and Jesus standing at the right hand of God". At this, the religious
leaders at the meeting covered their ears with their hands. They sent Stephen
out of the city and stoned him. The false witnesses (who were required to throw
the first stones) put down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Paul.
Recording
Acts
7.59- 8.3: As they
were stoning him, Stephen prayed
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit". Then he knelt down and prayed
"Lord, do not hold this sin against them". Then he died. Paul entirely
approved of the killing. That day a bitter persecution started against the
church in Jerusalem and everyone except the apostles fled to the countryside.
Paul began working for the destruction of the church. He went from house to
house arresting men and women and sending them to prison
Jesus, thank you for the example of Stephen who, like yourself, forgave those
who were killing him
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings:
Stephen's extraordinary forgiveness of Saul surely had something to do with the
deradicalization of Saul. A powerful lesson for today's radicalized world
------------------------------
For
the day after Christmas! Tangmalangmaloo
-------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through 2024!
Mon
Dec 25
Christmas
Day - O come let us adore him!
Two nights ago a mainly Filipino group sang Christmas carols outside MercyHK's canteen in Temple Street. Last night a group from St Paul's Parish did the same. Two beautiful performances which won the admiration of hundreds of people passing by.
On
this Christmas Day my thoughts go back to happy
days in Zhaoqing
Latest
news from Gaza And
on this Christmas Day I can't help thinking about the genocide taking place in
Gaza ...while the world is unwilling/unwilling to stop the Israel-USA axis. What
happened on Oct 7 was totally evil. But what has happened since Oct 7 has been
far more evil. ....see this
report by Amnesty
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Dec 25
Isaiah 62.11-12: This
the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion,
"Look, your
saviour comes, the prize of his victory with him, his trophies before
him." They shall be called "The Holy People", "the Lord's
Redeemed." And you shall be called "The-sought-after",
"City-not-forsaken."
Recording of this reading
Psalm
97: The Lord is king, let
earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his robes.
His throne is justice and goodness. The
skies proclaim his goodness. All peoples see his glory. Let those who serve
idols be ashamed. Let
all creation worship the Creator. Light shines forth for good people and
joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice in the Lord, all good people. Give glory
to his holy name.
Lord, you indeed are God of the
universe
Recording
Titus
3:1-7: Remind
everyone to be obedient to government officials; to be ready to do good at every
opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels; to be
courteous and polite to everyone. There was a time when we too were ignorant;
when we lived in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful
ourselves. But then the
kindness and love of God our Saviour were revealed, and God saved us
because of his compassion. God saved us by the cleansing water of rebirth, and
by renewing us with the Holy Spirit whom he has poured over us through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. So we are justified by his grace, and look forward to
eternal life.
Jesus, Saviour of the world, you are our Saviour
Recording
Luke
2.15-20: After
the angels went away, the shepherds said to one another "Let's
go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us
about". So
they quickly went and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
People who heard the shepherds talk about the angels were amazed. As for Mary,
she treasured every moment of what had happened and pondered the whole event in
her heart. The
shepherds went back to their fields glorifying and praising God for all they had
heard and seen
Jesus we adore you, Jesus we adore you, Jesus we
adore you, Christ the Lord
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
There's something in our DNA that draws us to the Baby Jesus, like metal to a magnet. That Baby makes us fall to our knees in loving adoration
-------------------------
--------------------
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 25th of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guizhou
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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through 2024!
Sun Dec 24
Christmas Eve! - O come let us adore him!
brilliant!
The
Christmas Scale (860k
views)
It's hard to believe that the greatest message the world
will ever hear is contained in one simple scale
Beautiful
Indonesian Christmas video: Yesus
Putra Maria
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f.
midnight Mass readings
Isaiah 9: The
people that walked in darkness has seen a great light. On those who live
in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone. For the yoke that was weighing on
them, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken and removed. For there is a
child born for us, a son given to us, and dominion is laid on his shoulders. And
he will be called Wonder-Counselor, Mighty-God,
Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.
Jesus, Prince of Peace, thank you for the peace and hope and joy of your
friendship
Recording
of this reading
Titus
2: God's grace has made
salvation available for the whole human race. We
must give up everything that does not lead to God. We
must delete our worldly ambitions. We must be self-restrained and live good
lives here in this present world, while we wait in hope for the blessings that
will come with the Coming of the glory of our God and savior Christ Jesus. He
sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from wickedness, and to purify
us so that we would have no ambition except to do good.
Jesus, please help me give up everything that does not lead to you
Recording
Luke
2.1-7: Caesar Augustus issued a
decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census - the first -
took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own
town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem,
since he was of David's House and line, in order to be registered together
with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the
time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first
born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid
him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.
Recording
Luke 2.8-14: In
the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took
it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord
appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were
terrified, but the angel said, "Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you
news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today
in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger." And suddenly with the angel there was a great
throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: "Glory
to God in the highest heaven, and peace to all who
enjoy his favour."
Recording
Reflection: No matter where we are, no matter what's happening in our lives, even if we are in a time of sadness (e.g. after a death in the family), even if in prison .... Christmas gives us hope and peace .... because Christmas is all about the birth of the Source of hope and peace: Jesus
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 8.00
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
Elderly
man in Phoenix calls his doctor son in New York ... your mother and I are
getting a divorce. Divorce?! After 53 years? What are you
talking about? 53 years is about 50 years too long. We
really don't even like each other any more. Dad! I can't
believe this. Hold on .... I'm gonna call my sister & I'll get back to
you. (calls attorney sister in Chicago) Sis! You're not going to
believe this! Dad just called to tell me that he and mom are getting
a divorce! What?! That's crazy! I'll call them,
then we better get down there just as soon as we can. (sister calls
Dad back in Phoenix) Dad? This is just crazy, and besides
I'm a lawyer. Don't do anything until I get there - until my brother &
I get there. We're coming in on the next possible flights. Elderly
man hangs up the phone and turns to his wife and says, "Well, dear, the
kids are finally going to come home for Christmas ... and they're paying their
own way!"
------------------------------
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 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, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Dec
23
2 days
to Christmas.
O
Immanuel, you are our
king and our judge, the One whom the peoples await and our Saviour. O come and
save us, Lord our God!
Yesterday I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison for the second day
running. Over the past two days I have met 15 new drug mules for various parts
of the world arrested at HK airport. With the 12 new women I met last week at
Tai Lam women's prison that makes 27 new mules who have come to HK over the past
2 months or so.
SCMP illustrated report: The
plight of Gaza's orphan children
One of my favourite videos
Bob
Welsh: My Christmas Eve (3.7m
views!)
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Dec 23
Micah 3: The
Lord God says this: Look, I
am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. Know
that I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before my day comes. He shall
turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children
towards their fathers.
Lord, may we accept the messengers who prepare your way
Recording of this reading
Psalm 24: Lord,
make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths. Make
me walk in your truth, and teach me, for you are God my saviour. The
Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray, he guides the
humble in the right path, he teaches his way to the poor.
Lord, help me walk in your truth
Recording
Luke
1.57- 62: The
time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and
when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a
kindness, they shared her joy. Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise
the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his
mother spoke up. "No," she said "he
is to be called John." They said to her, "But no one in your
family has that name", and made signs to his father to find out what he
wanted him called.
Recording
Luke
1.63- 66: The father asked for a
writing-tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all
astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and
praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair
was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard
of it treasured it in their hearts. "What
will this child turn out to be?" they wondered. And indeed the hand
of the Lord was with him.
Lord, may I treasure your message in my heart
Recording
Reflection: Today's readings are all about the Christmas Baby's cousin, John the Baptist, born 6 months before the first Christmas. His job was to prepare the way for Jesus. Which is also the job of every Christian - to prepare a way for Jesus, to help other people know and love the Baby born at Christmas.
---------
Christmas is going to be a busy and happy time in
Temple Street ....a number of groups are due to hold Christmas Carol activities
outside MercyHK's canteen over the next couple of days.
------------------------------
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 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, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Dec 22
3 days
to Christmas
Jesus
born at Christmas, please give hope and peace to our troubled world, especially
the Holy Land!
Winter Festival today (and ...it's cold now in HK!!!)
Yesterday I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison for about 7 hours
....sad to meet 9 more drug mules from various parts of the world arrested
recently at HK airport. I'm hoping to go to LCK again today ...since yesterday I
could only visit about 40% of the day rooms
With a real baby! 
Christmas
Flash Mob
Pope's
new climate change letter "Laudate
Deum: (the final 2 articles)
72.
If we consider that emissions per
individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of
individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of
the poorest countries, we can state that a broad change in the
irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a
significant long-term impact. As a result, along with indispensable political
decisions, we would be making progress along the way to genuine care for one
another.
73. "Praise God" is the title of this letter. For when human beings claim to take God's place, they become their own worst enemies.
Given
in Rome, at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, on 4 October, the Feast of Saint
Francis of Assisi, in the year 2023, the eleventh of my Pontificate.
FRANCIS
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Dec 22
My recording of this reading
1
Samuel 2: Hannah
praised God for giving her a child: "My
heart rejoices in the Lord. The Lord, our fortress, is holy. Don't speak
proudly, for the Lord knows what's in our hearts. The Lord breaks the power of
the strong. He gives strength and victory to the weak. He blesses the barren
woman. The Lord raises the poor from the dust, and gives them a seat of honor
with princes. The Lord guards the steps of good people, but scatters bad people
in their pride." The Lord blessed Hannah and she gave birth to three more
sons and two daughters. Her son Samuel grew up in the temple. The temple priest
at that time was Eli. But Eli's sons were bad men. They stole the people's
offerings to the Lord.
Dear God, please bless good people like Hannah, and please help bad people
like Eli's sons to stop being bad
Listen
Luke
1.46-56: Mary
said "My soul praises the
greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior. Starting
from today, all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done
great things for me". Mary
stayed with Elizabeth about 3 months and then went home. Elizabeth gave birth to
a son. Her neighbors and relatives shared her joy. When the child was
circumcised on the 8th day, he was given the name John
Jesus, please bless all women who are having a baby today
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Christmas is a time for praise and adoration ... with Mary
----------
As
an English teacher I added a comma after "bull" in today's first
reading to save the life of the mother. A trap for lectors: They
slaughtered the bull, and
the child's mother came to Eli.
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Dec 21
4 days
to Christmas.
Come
and save us, Emmanuel!
Happy Winter Festival tomorrow! (my 2017 article)
Two
HK 20 year olds (one woman and one man, or two women? ...see picture) arrested
HK airport with 47kg (!) of drugs from Italy!
Gaza Holy Family:
UNICEF
spokesman "furious" over Gaza situation
Pope's
new climate change letter "Laudate
Deum:
71.
Efforts by households to reduce
pollution and waste, and to consume with prudence, are creating a new culture.
The mere fact that personal, family and community habits are changing is
contributing to greater concern about the unfulfilled responsibilities of the
political sectors and indignation at the lack of interest shown by the powerful.
Let us realize, then, that even though this does not immediately produce a
notable effect from the quantitative standpoint, we are helping to bring about
large processes of transformation rising from deep within society.
-------------------------
The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Dec 21
Song
of Songs 1-2: The
bride says:
Kiss me. Your love is better than wine. How right it is to love you, you whom my
heart loves. The
bridegroom says: How
beautiful you are, my love, how beautiful you are. The
bride: He
has taken me to his banquet hall and his banner over me is love. The
groom: Come
then, my love, my lovely one, come. Show me your face and let me hear your
voice, for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful. The
bride: My
beloved is mine and I am his.
Dear God, please give me a lover's love for you
Listen
Psalm
33: Ring out your
joy to the Lord, all good people, for praise is fitting for loyal hearts. For
the Lord loves justice and right; he
fills the earth with his love. By his word the heavens were made, he
spoke and the universe came into being. They are happy, whose God is the Lord,
he is the source of all true joy. May your love be upon us, O Lord, since we
place all our trust in you.
Lord, we trust in your precious love
Recording
Zephaniah 3.14-18: Shout
for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your
heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has
driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you
have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem:
Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in
your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will
renew you by his love; he
will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of
festival.
My
recording of this reading And
the Father Will Dance - Song
Luke
1.39-45: As soon as
she could and as quickly as she could, Mary went to Elizabeth's home in the
hills near Jerusalem. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the
baby in Elizabeth's womb jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy
Spirit. Elizabeth
said to Mary "Of all women, you are the most blessed, and blessed is the
baby in your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my
Lord? Blessed are you for believing God's promise"
Mary, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb,
Jesus
Recording
Reflection: Not with a royal family, not with religious rulers, but with simple and lowly people did God arrange the first Christmas
---
Christmas smile
Little
boy in "Outback" Australia had never seen rain.
There had been a drought for more than 5 years.
Then just before Christmas the clouds began to form.
On Christmas Eve water fell from the sky.
The little boy ran to the window to see what was happening.
He called out to his mother "Mum, what's that?"
His mother replied "That's rain, dear" (.. reindeer ..)
--------------------
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 21st 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Dec 20
5 days
to Christmas.
Key of David, who open the gates of the eternal kingdom, come to liberate from prison the captives who live in darkness!
Has
had 7
million views!
Say
Merry Christmas
Grandfather
describes killing of family by Israeli troops
772kg
(!) of cocaine seized in Sydney kidnapping case
Pope's
new climate change letter "Laudate
Deum:
70.
Nonetheless, every little bit helps, and avoiding an increase of a tenth of a
degree in the global temperature would already suffice to alleviate some
suffering for many people. Yet what is important is something less quantitative:
the need to realize that there are no
lasting changes without cultural changes, without a maturing of
lifestyles and convictions within societies, and there
are no cultural changes without personal changes.
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Dec 20
Isaiah
7: A foreign king and his army attacked
Jerusalem. The king of Judah and his people were full
of fear. God told Isaiah to say to the king of Judah: "Keep calm, have no
fear. You will not be defeated. The Lord himself gives you a sign of his
protection: a
maiden is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call God-with-us."
Lord, please help me understand how you are God-with-me every day
My recording of this reading
Psalms
24-26: The Lord's is the
earth and all its peoples. It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe. May
all hearts open their doors to the Lord. Let
him enter, the king of glory. Lord I hope in you all the day long.
Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth.
God my savior, teach me your way of truth
Recording
Alleluia, alleluia! Key
of David, who open the gates of the eternal kingdom, come to liberate
from prison the captive who lives in darkness. Alleluia!
Recording
Luke
1.26-38: In the sixth month
of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in
Galilee, to a virgin named Mary who was betrothed to a man named Joseph. The
angel said to her "Mary, Rejoice! You have been greatly blessed by God. You
are to conceive and have a son whom you must name Jesus. He will be great
and will be called the Son of God". Mary said to the angel, "How can
this happen since I am a virgin?" The
angel replied "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most
High will specially bless you. Know this too: your cousin Elizabeth has, in her
old age, conceived a son, and is now in her sixth month". "I am
the handmaid of the Lord", said Mary, "let what you have said, be done
for me". And the angel left her.
God the Son, thank you for becoming a baby in Mary's womb
Recording
Reflection (Dec
19, 2018): Christmas
means helping the needy, just as Jesus came
down to help us in our neediness; trusting in God, as Mary did,
even if we don't understand his plans; rising up, as Joseph did,
to accomplish God's will, even if it means changing our own plans. It will
really be Christmas if, like Joseph,
we make room for silence; if, like Mary,
we say "Here I am" to God; if, like Jesus,
we are close to those who are alone; if, like the
shepherds,
we go out of our enclosures to be with Jesus.
---------------------------
Yesterday I spoke at a Rotary Lunch ...where on arrival
everyone found that on the tables there were presents for everyone: a Rotary
calendar and a MercyHK cookie box (kindly obtained by the Rotary team)!
-------------------------
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 20th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Hubei
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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Dec 19
6 days
to Christmas.
Come
Jesus, Flower
of Jesse's stem, sign
of God's love for all his people: save us without delay
Both of these are good!
THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY (13m
views!) and A
Facebook Christmas Story
Video
about people starving in Gaza
Pope's
new climate change letter "Laudate
Deum:
69.
I ask everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world
that is our home and to help make it more beautiful, because that commitment has
to do with our personal dignity and highest values. At the same time, I cannot
deny that it is necessary to be honest and recognize that the
most effective solutions will not come from individual efforts alone, but above
all from major political decisions on the national and international level.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Dec 19
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
Recording of this reading
Psalm 71: In
you, O Lord, I take refuge. Please hear me and help me. Be
a rock where I can take refuge. Rescue me from people who want to hurt me. It is
you, O Lord, who are my hope. In you I have trusted since I was young. From
my mother's womb you have been my help. My hope has always been in you.
Now that I am old, please do not forget me. Now that my strength fails, do not
abandon me. Now that I am old and grey-headed, may I continue to trust in you
and proclaim your help. To you I will sing with the harp. All day long my tongue
will tell of your goodness to me.
Lord, may all elderly people put their trust and hope in you
Recording
Alleluia, alleluia! Root
of Jesse, set up as a sign to the
peoples, come to save us, and delay no more. Alleluia!
Recording
Luke
1. 5-25: When
Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah and his wife
Elizabeth who were really good people, but they were childless. Once when they
went to the Temple in Jerusalem, Zechariah entered the inner sanctuary to burn
incense, while all the people prayed outside. An angel appeared and said
"Zechariah, your prayer has been heard. Your
wife will have a son and you must name him John. He
will prepare the way of the Lord". Not long after this, Elizabeth
conceived, and for 5 months she kept to herself, thanking God for taking away
her humiliation at not being able to have a baby.
Jesus, please help childless couples to have a baby
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: The conceptions of Sampson and John the Baptist remind us that He who designed the womb can program pregnancies for special occasions .... preparing us for the conception of Jesus
------------------------------
Sign
in restaurant: Our
coffee is so strong it will wake up your neighbours!
-------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
-------
----------------------
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
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The official launching
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Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile +852- 67095674
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