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
Tues July 23
Many things happened at the Dr Jesus Centre yesterday: the usual
meal gathering for street sleepers, a visiting student group, several other
groups of visitors, a media person interviewing one of our staff ..... with the
very distressed wife of a dying street sleeper who is in a nearby hospital ... I
baptised, confirmed and anointed him on Sunday morning ... with our staff
accompanying the wife to visit the husband .... and ....our only toilet jammed
for the second Monday in a week after careless use by a homeless person (with a
plumber needing to replace the whole toilet, such was the extent of the
jamming)
Today I'm hoping to visit a prison ... my aim being to keep
Tuesdays and Fridays for prison visits
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Hosea
1-3: God said to Hosea "Marry a prostitute
and have children by her,
for my people have abandoned me and become unfaithful". The Lord's people are like his wife,
but they have abandoned him. Hosea's wife was unfaithful to him and left
him.
But the Lord told Hosea to take her back. This was to show how God welcomes people back,
even though they have been unfaithful to him.
Lord,
please help us to be faithful to you
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
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
19.27-29: On behalf of all the disciples, Peter asked
Jesus
"What about us? We have left everything to follow you." Jesus replied "You will be
leaders in the church on earth. Also, anyone who has left home, family
or country for the sake of my name,
will receive a 100-fold blessing in this life,
and will also receive eternal life in Heaven."
Jesus, please bless all Gospel
workers
Listen
Reflection: The Bible Message is not just words, but power ... power to transform our lives and our world
------------------------------
-------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:
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 July 22
Simon Tisdall: US
presidential election ((Michelle
Obama?))
------------------------
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".
-------------------------
Exciting
win by my team the Brisbane Lions over Sydney yesterday afternoon!
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:
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 July 21
International
Court of Justice orders Israel to leave occupied territories
((maybe someday Israel will be paying reparation to Palestine ... just as
Germany has been paying reparation to Israel)) ***
Analysis
of the ruling (I read every word of this)
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 16
Jeremiah
21-23: Jerusalem was under siege by
the Chaldaeans. The Lord told Jeremiah to tell the leaders of Jerusalem to
surrender. But the leaders of Jerusalem did not obey Jeremiah's words. So the
Lord got Jeremiah to say these words: "Woe to the shepherds who allow my
sheep to be scattered and killed. You
have not taken care of my sheep. Therefore I will raise up a leader who
will be wise and just. He will be a good shepherd of my people."
Lord, please help our leaders to be good shepherds
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
23: The
Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are
the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me
along the right path. He is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of
darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight
of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil. My cup is overflowing. Surely
goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord's own
house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
Thank you, Lord, for being my good shepherd
Listen
Ephesians
2.11-14: You
non-Jews were once without hope and without God. But now by the blood of Christ,
you who had nothing in common with us Jews, have been united with us into one
family. Christ is the peace between us. He
has broken down the barrier which used to keep us apart
Jesus, break down barriers of misunderstanding which divide the
peoples of the world
Listen
Mark
6.30-34: The
apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said
to them, "You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and
rest for a while"; for there were so many coming and going that the
apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place
where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could
guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and
reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and
he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and
he set himself to teach them at some length.
Reflection on the above readings: The problems of our world have mostly been caused by poor/bad leadership. Our troubled world urgently needs leaders like Jesus the Good Shepherd
-------------
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
-------------------------------
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:
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 July 20
A ground floor shop with mezzanine floor in Shanghai Street, one minute from the
Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street, will please God soon be a MercyHK centre especially for street sleepers ... a
place where they can gather and have activities each day. Dear Jesus, please bless this plan!
Yesterday afternoon I went to Lo Wu women's prison to hand
in money for nine prisoners to take part in a Caritas Education Program
52
people, most of them women and children,
killed in Israeli strikes in 24 hours - in
this report
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Daniel
14: In Babylon there was a temple with an idol
named Bel
to which lots of food and drink were offered each day. 70 priests and their families used to
eat the food each night,
having entered the temple by a secret door. The king believed Bel ate the food.
Daniel told him that an idol cannot eat anything. The 70 priests called for Daniel to be
executed
if he could not prove the idol was not eating the food. Daniel got his servants to spread ashes over
the temple floor.
Next morning he showed the king the footprints in the ashes. The king had the 70 priests and their families
executed.
The king had Bel destroyed.
Lord, please help people turn
away from lifeless idols and serve you, the Creator of the world
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
125: Those who put their trust in the Lord are like Mount
Zion, that cannot be shaken. Jerusalem, the mountains surround her,
so the Lord surrounds his people, now and forever.
Lord, please help us be
more aware of your protecting presence
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
19.16-26: A young man asked Jesus
"Master, what do I have to do to get to Heaven?" Jesus replied "Keep the commandments:
do not kill; do not commit adultery; honor your father and mother;
care for others as much as you care about yourself". The young man said "I have kept all these
commandments.
What else do I need to do?" Jesus said "If you want to do something
really special with your life, go and sell all your possessions, give the
money to the poor,
then come and follow me as one of my disciples". When the young man heard these words he went
away sad,
because he was very rich.
Jesus then said to his disciples
"It is hard for a rich person to get to Heaven".
Jesus, don't let riches endanger my
eternal life
Listen
Reflection: Luke often stresses the theme of "rich vs poor" ... which is why his Gospel is sometimes called "The Gospel of the Poor"
-----------------------
Monday - here
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:
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 July 19
Students from nearby Newman College yesterday joined our usual
Thursday lunch gathering for street sleepers. God bless the whole gathering
Today I'm hoping to visit a prison where one job will be to hand
in money for about a dozen prisoners to take part in a Caritas Education Program
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Daniel 13: A beautiful woman named Susanna
was condemned to death on a false charge of immorality. God stirred Daniel's heart to help
Susanna.
Daniel confronted Susanna's two accusers, two elderly Jewish men. Daniel had the two men separated.
He then asked them individually where the alleged crime took place. One of them said "under a mastic
tree."
The other said "under an oak tree." The people then realized the men were lying.
The people praised God for giving such wisdom to Daniel. Susanna was freed.
The two men were executed, as required by the Law.
Lord, please help people who
have been falsely accused of crimes
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
124:
"If the Lord had not been on our
side",
this is Israel's song.
If the Lord had not been on our side
when people rose against us, then would they have swallowed us alive
when they were angry with us. Blessed be the Lord who did not let us become
a prey for their teeth. Our life, like a bird, has escaped
from the snare of the hunter. Indeed the snare has been broken
and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
Thank you, Lord,
for all the times you have rescued me from 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
19.13-15: Some people brought their little children to
Jesus.
They hoped Jesus would put his hands on the children and bless them.
Jesus' disciples told the people to go away
and not bother Jesus.
But Jesus said "Don't prevent the little children from coming to
me". Then he put his hands on them and blessed
them.
Jesus, please help all children
to know you from their earliest days.
Please don't let parents prevent children from coming to you.
Listen
Reflection: Sometimes (often?) the love of little children for Jesus is greater than that of adults
----------
-------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:
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 Shangxi
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 July 18
At a MercyHK staff meeting yesterday morning, it was agreed to check on the
possibility of setting up a new centre ... especially for street sleepers ... a
place where they can gather each day. Dear Jesus, please bless this plan!
Kidnapping
and release of Nigerian Oblate priest
Owen Jones: American
republic is crumbling
China
trying to do something positive ***
Dozens
killed in humanitarian zones
-------------------------
The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Daniel 8-12:
Daniel received many visions from God,
usually after a special time of prayer and fasting. Daniel was given glimpses of the future,
the rise and fall of nations. He also was given to understand what happens
after this life:
"The dead will rise from the grave,
some to everlasting life,
some to everlasting shame. Those who have instructed others in virtue,
will shine like stars for all eternity."
Lord, please help everyone get
to Heaven
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
123: To you have I lifted up my eyes,
you who dwell in the heavens. My eyes, like the eyes of slaves
on the hand of their lords. Like the eyes of a servant on the hand of her
mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God till he show us mercy. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
We are filled with contempt. Indeed all too full is our soul with the scorn
of the rich,
with the proud man's disdain.
Lord, please protect poor
people from being exploited by rich people
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 19.1-9: One day some religious leaders put Jesus to
the test by asking him
"Is it against the Law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife?" Jesus replied "God created male and
female, for the two to become united as one body. What God has
united, no one should separate." The leaders then asked
"But why did Moses allow divorce?" Jesus replied "Moses allowed divorce
because people were so hard of heart. But divorce was not God's
plan.
So I say to you, anyone who walks out on their
partner and marries someone else, is guilty of adultery".
Jesus, please help married
people stay together
Listen
Reflection: Two exceptions re divorce: The Pauline Privilege and The Petrine Privilege
-----------------
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:
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 July 17
Yesterday
with other members of MercyHK's staff I went to the
drug treatment centre on Shek Kwu Chau Island. Over the past 2 years MercyHK
staff have helped around 50 drug addicts go to the centre.
On the island I also saw something I can't remember even hearing about before: the
construction of a huge waste disposal plant
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Daniel 7: Once when Daniel was asleep, he had a vision of heaven:
"Thrones were put in place
and one of great age took his seat. His robe was white as snow,
his hair as pure as wool. A thousand thousand waited on him,
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. Then coming on the clouds of heaven
was one like a son of man. On him was conferred glory and kingship,
and people of all nations became his servants. His kingship is eternal.
His empire will never be destroyed."
Jesus, please help me
understand that you are the "Son of Man" whose kingship is eternal
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
122: I rejoiced when I heard them say
"Let us go to God's house."
And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. For the peace of Jerusalem pray
"Peace be to your homes." For love of the house of the Lord
I will ask for your good.
Lord, may your peace be in our
hearts and homes
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 18.21-35: Peter asked Jesus "How many times must I
forgive someone?
7 times?" Jesus answered "Not 7, but 77 times. For the kingdom of heaven is like a king who
cancelled the huge debt of one of his servants. But that same servant refused to cancel the
tiny debt of one of his fellow servants. So the king said to the servant:
'When you appealed to me, I had pity on you and cancelled your big
debt. But you refused to have pity on your fellow servant who asked
you for mercy. Therefore you must now go to prison until your big debt is
paid.' If you refuse to forgive other people,
you are making yourself ineligible for God's forgiveness."
Jesus, please help me to
forgive other people,
just as you forgive me....many times each day
Listen
Reflection: Forgiveness is good for health
---------------------------
-------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:
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
---------------------
---------------------