V2Catholic.com 
A voice for the poor 
by HK prison chaplain 胡頌恆神父
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I.
Dr Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordan
jdwomi@gmail.com      +852 67095674
       
Imitating Pope Francis 

My other sites/links     

Tues Aug 19

Last night I went to nearby Tsim Sha Tsui to the office of the Chinese University of HK to enrol 2 prisoners for short study courses ...and then to Tommy Lee's Music Centre to buy a guitar for a prisoner ... enjoying another lovely walk in light rain. 

This morning I'm due to join other MercyHK staff for the funeral service of a dear lady we've been trying to help get away from the world of drugs over the past few years. 

 

 Israeli media finally reporting famine in Gaza *** Australia bans extremist Israeli politician

---------------------------

The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

Job 22-24: Eliphaz then said that God was punishing Job because justice demanded that Job be punished for his sins. Job replied: "I know that God sees everyone and everything. God sees every step I take. But I cannot contact him. He has filled my life with sadness and fear and yet he doesn't answer my prayer."
Dear God, in times of darkness, with Jesus we pray "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 89: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever. The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord. The heavens are yours, the world is yours. Blessed the people who find joy in you, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face. 
Thank you, Lord, for our beautiful world
Listen

 

Ephesians 6.18-24: Pray all the time, asking for what you need. Pray in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never tire of praying. Pray for me that I may proclaim the Good News boldly. Grace and eternal life to everyone who loves our Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus, help me to put Paul's teaching into practice in my life
Listen

John 6.26-29: Jesus said to the people "You have come looking for me because you had so much bread to eat.  Do not give so much concern to physical food. Be more concerned about the spiritual food that lasts forever. This is the food I am offering you"
Jesus, please give us the food that lasts forever
Listen

Reflection: The people in Gaza are like Job in first reading ....

------------------------------

 Yesterday morning at the local post office I posted a 50 page mitigation letter to the lawyer of a man due to be sentenced at the High Court at the end of the month. I think 50 pages is about the record for my mitigation letters .... hope it doesn't put judge to sleep!
 

-------------------------------

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 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 Sudan

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

----------------------------

----------------------------

Mon Aug 18

Letters from father of a young family in South Africa ... his story of making a fatal choice to accept a job in South America ...the nightmare of being in prison in HK while his partner struggles to care for their young children ... his sad warning to others not to choose the wrong way: Freedom is just a distant memory and Used. Left behind. A voice from prison

 

  Such is the scale of Israel's genocide in Gaza, there will not be much left by next month when many countries plan to recognize the state of Palestine at the United Nations. What's needed is not words for next month, but food for today ... for the people being murdered as they try to get food. History will most harshly judge Israel and the US for this genocide ....and not just the US but all other countries which have been complicit in the genocide (by trading with and providing weapons to Israel)

------------------------

The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

Job 20-21: Zophar then said it was unreasonable for Job to think that his situation was an exception as regards God's justice. Job replied: "I can't help asking why do wicked people prosper while good people suffer?" 
Dear God, please help us to understand the mystery of good and evil
My recording of this reading

Psalm 88: Lord my God, day and night I call to you for help. Please turn your ear to my cry. For my soul is filled with evils. My life is on the brink of the grave. I am reckoned as one in the tomb. I have reached the end of my strength. Will your love be told in the grave? Will your wonders be known in the dark? Fear surrounds me like a flood. All my friends have deserted me. My only companion is darkness.
Lord, please help people who are in despair
Listen

 

Ephesians 6.10-17: To resist the Devil's tactics, put on God's armor:
- the belt of truth
- the breastplate of integrity
- the shoes of eagerness to spread 
  the Good News of peace
- the shield of faith
- the helmet of salvation
- the sword of God's word
Jesus, help me put on these six pieces of armor
  Listen

 

John 5.36-46: Jesus said to the religious leaders "The healing and teaching my Father has given me to do, testify that the Father sent me. You study the Scriptures, realizing that in them there is the message of life. Now these same Scriptures focus on me, and yet you refuse to come to me for life. If you really believe what Moses wrote, you would believe in me, since it was I that he was writing about"
Jesus, please help me understand how everything in the Bible is related to you. Help me understand that "ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of you"
Listen

Reflection: The words of Psalm 88 apply to the people of Gaza

 -------------------------

  Well done Australia ... a great come-from-behind win!

--------------------

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 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shandong

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, Monday, please pacify I.S.

-----------------------

----------------------

Sun Aug 17

  Israeli unit's job: smear Gaza journalists as Hamas fighters *** Netanyahu's purge of generals *** Killing continues - updates

------------------------------

The Book Blog: 
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Sunday 20

Jeremiah 37-45: Jeremiah was arrested and put into a muddy well to die. But a good official persuaded the king to free Jeremiah. When the Chaldaeans captured Jerusalem, they sent many people to Babylon as exiles. Jeremiah was spared from exile and he kept trying to get the people to accept defeat as God had told them. But most of the people would not listen to Jeremiah, even though all his prophecies about defeat had come true. God protected the good officials who had helped Jeremiah. 
Lord, please help government leaders be good, like the good officials who helped Jeremiah.
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 40: I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me. He heard my cry. He saved me from distress. He put fresh hope into my heart. How many, O Lord my God, are the times you have helped me. They are too many for me to describe. My God, in the depth of my heart I delight in your law. You do not want external offerings. You want my heart.
Lord, I offer you my heart, my love. You deserve all my love
 Listen

 

Hebrews 11-12: Only faith can keep us going. Only faith helped Abraham and other famous people in the Scriptures to keep going. So many of them were weak people who were given strength by God, to be brave when life became difficult. With so many witnesses in a great cloud all around us, we too should keep running in the race we have started. We should get rid of everything that slows us down. Keep focusing on Jesus. He is running beside us. His example going to the cross gives us courage. Try to live at peace with everyone. Don't let any seed of bitterness begin to grown and make trouble. This can poison a whole community
Jesus, help me remember your presence in my heart
 Listen

 

Luke 12.49-53: 

Reflection on the above readings:  Only once in the Gospels did Jesus become violent - when he drove the merchants out of the Temple. He also got angry at the religious leaders ... and at a few devils. But he was a person of peace, who told Peter to put down his sword, who taught his followers to forgive and make peace with others. So, today's Gospel needs to be understood very carefully. "Division" here means a situation where following Jesus' teaching causes conflict with others - e.g. if my group of friends wants to start using drugs or start stealing or doing some other wrong thing, being a Christian means I need to stop being part of the group = conflict. But for most people this is not a common thing.  

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

-------------------------------

  People sometimes ask me what is Australian Football like? Well, here's a sample!

------------------------------

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 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, Sunday, please bless all Muslims in my country

-----------------------

----------------------

Sat Aug 16

I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison from 10am to 5pm yesterday .... spending much time with new drug mules recently arrested at HK airport

 

  Aid being weaponsied

---------------------------

The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

Job 18-19: Bildad then said that Job's suffering was caused by his sins. Job repeated that he was innocent of any wrong-doing. He added: "I am sure of three things: my God lives, my God will rescue me, and I will see my God's face." 
Dear God, I believe you live and that someday I will see your face
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 87: On the holy mountain is Jerusalem, the Lord's cherished city. Of you are told glorious things, O city of God. All nations are called to serve and love the Lord. And Jerusalem shall be called their spiritual mother, for all shall be her children. In Jerusalem everyone will be welcome and find a home. 
Lord, may Jerusalem be a place of peace and prayer for all peoples
Listen

 

Ephesians 6.1-9: Children, be obedient to your parents. Parents, never drive your children to resentment. Slaves, respect your employers. Employers, treat your workers fairly
Jesus, please help me treat everyone with respect
Listen

 

John 5.17-30: Jesus said to the religious leaders "My Father goes on working, and so do I.  Whoever refuses honor to the Son, refuses honor to the Father who sent him. The Father judges no one. He has entrusted all judgement to the Son. A time will come  when the dead will leave their graves at the sound of the Son's voice. Those who did good, will rise again to life. Those who did evil, will face condemnation". 
Jesus, some day you are going to be my judge. On that day may I hear you say "I was hungry, and you gave me food etc"  (Matthew 25. 31 - 46)
Listen

Reflection:  Lynne Dawson: I know that my Redeemer liveth

 -----------------------

   My number 1 Queensland team, the Brisbane Lions, had a good win last night. My dream: a Grand Final between the 2 Qld teams, the Lions and the Gold Coast Suns! That would give Melbourne people something to think about!

------------------------------

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 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Qinghai

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Malawi

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday, please pacify the Taliban

------------------------

------------------------

Fri Aug 15

The Assumption of Mary to Heaven

My August 15 Reflection: In our spiritual DNA, there's something about Mary that moves our hearts on August 15. May this reflection be an encouragement to people who might be influenced to doubt the beautiful importance of Mary in God's plan and in our lives

 And see this excellent Assumption reflection by Scott Hahn (9 mins)

---------

Beautiful email from Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen after his visit on August 13 to MercyHK's canteen and the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street ... and MercyHK's centre for homeless people in nearby Shanghai Street:
Thank you for having my wife and me at today’s gathering at MercyHK Canteen. I am full of admiration for what your team and you are working for the poor and the marginalised in our community. You have stirred my heart and spirit. And my love and prayers are with you all. May the grace of God remain in your midst always. 
Donald
God Bless! 主祐！

---------

  Letter to Pope Leo to do something special for Gaza (this letter also informs us that  many people in many places are praying and fasting for Gaza) *** Australia's complicity (SHAME, GOVT OF AUSTRALIA, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!)

-------------------
The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Assumption 

 

1 Corinthians 15: Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Death came through one man and in the same way the resurrection of the dead has come through one man. Just as all people die in Adam, so all people will be brought to life in Christ; but all of them in their proper order: Christ as the first-fruits and then, after the coming of Christ, those who belong to him. After that will come the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, having done away with every sovereignty, authority and power. For he must be king until he has put all his enemies under his feet and the last of the enemies to be destroyed is death, for everything is to be put under his feet. 
Recording

 

Reflection on the above readings:

The spirituality of Mary invites us to the values of Catholic Social Teaching: concern for the poor, solidarity with all people, a preference for the ways of nonviolence rather than military might, forgiveness and reconciliation rather than domination and manipulation.

----------

 Ever since primary school, I have loved walking in the rain ....which I did a couple of times yesterday as HK felt the effects of a passing typhoon

-------------------------

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 15th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liaoning

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: 
On this 15th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liberia

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday, please bless all Muslims

----------------------------

----------------------------

Thu Aug 14

Yesterday at the Dr Jesus Centre from 11am to 4pm we were about 20 people at the weekly English Corner for Mainland people, including 10 from China (of whom 8 came from Shenzhen for the day) with 8 kind volunteers (from Belgium, Denmark, HK, Philippines & Zambia). 

Then from 4.30pm to 5pm at MercyHK's canteen in Temple Street it was a very great honour indeed to welcome former HK Chief Executive Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen ... who for a long time has been following the work of MercyHK. Sir Donald and his dear wife Selina not only visited the canteen, but also the Dr Jesus Centre and MercyHK's Shanghai Street day centre for homeless people....where Sir Donald shared how one of his happiest experiences as a civil servant was when he was looking after homeless people in the Shatin area. 

To cap off yesterday there was the usual Wednesday night gathering for women who work on Temple Street. A long but happy day!

 

 On this day in 1941 a man died in place of another man at Auschwitz death camp - Maximilian Kolbe ...and this article says he is the patron saint of drug addicts! Dear St. Maximilian, please help all the drug addicts in the Jordan/Yau Ma Tei area! And ....today (!) MercyHK case worker Lucia Leung is in Poland and will attend a special Mass for Kolbe's feastday! And ... one of the children being taken care of by MercyHK was born on Aug 11 (last year) so we named him Kolbe!

 

Link between Sydney and Brisbane cocaine cases

 

 Australian PM: Netanyahu in denial *** Journalism's darkest hour *** Wiping out witnesses

------------------------- 

The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

Job 15-17:  Eliphaz then said that Job's own words condemned him since he was in fact challenging God. Job replied that he was sick and tired of listening to his friends' speeches.  He also said he felt death was not far away: "My breath grows weak, I am ridiculed by everyone, every fiber of my heart is broken. I have no hope." 
Lord, help of the helpless, please help people who feel their situation is hopeless
My recording of this reading

Psalm 86: Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer for I am poor and needy. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of love to all who call to you. All the nations shall come to adore you and glorify your name, O Lord, you who alone are God. Show me, Lord, your way, and guide my heart so that I may walk in your truth. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart for your love to me has been great. O give your strength to your servant and save your handmaid's son.
Dear Lord, thank you for all your love 
Listen 

 

Ephesians 5.21-33: In your families, treat each other as Christ wants you to: Wives, in your husbands see Christ the head of the Church. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the Church. When men and women get married, they become one body. This sacred action helps us understand the relationship between Christ and the Church
Jesus, please help husbands and wives to love each other the way you love the Church
Listen

 

John 5.1-14: Jesus again went up to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival. In a building near the Sheep Gate, he saw many sick people. One paralyzed man had been ill for 38 years. Jesus said to him "Do you want to be well again? Get up, pick up your bed and walk". The man was healed at once. He picked up his bed and walked away. After a while Jesus met him in the Temple and said to him "Now that you are well, do not sin any more"
Jesus, if my sickness is due to some sin, please forgive me and heal me
  Listen

Reflection:  Today's Gospel is one of the rare occasions when the Gospels mention a link between illness and sin ...by which I mean: most illnesses do not have a sin connection

-----------------

  So many things, so many good things, happened yesterday .... thank you Jesus!

--------------------

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, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 14th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Jilin

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 14th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Guinea-Bissau

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda

----------------------------

Wed Aug 13

I spent yesterday at the office trying to work through a load of jobs generated by recent prison visits. The sorts of jobs that AI is not capable of doing!

 

 Israel's war against journalists *** Latest reports

 

Fr José, CMF:

Gaza - Night Has Fallen

 -----------------------------

The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

Job 11-14: Zophar then said that Job must still have some secret sins of which he had not repented. Job sarcastically replied: "No doubt you are the voice of the people and when you die, wisdom will die with you. I am only too aware that God knows everything. How could I hide anything from him? God, why do you hide your face? Why do you look on me as an enemy?" 
Dear God, please give us trust and courage in time of trial
My recording of this reading

Psalm 85: I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace. Peace for his people and his friends and those who turn to him in their hearts. His help is near for those who love him and his glory will dwell in our land. Mercy and faithfulness have met. Justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice shall look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosper and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps 
Lord, please give more peace to our world
Listen

Ephesians 5.10-20: Try to discover what the Lord wants of you. Have nothing to do with the futile works of darkness. Wake up from your sleep, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful about the sort of life you live. Follow your enlightened mind, not your unruly passions. Avoid drunkenness. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Sing prayer songs when you are together, and when you're by yourself, keep on singing to the Lord in your heart, always giving thanks to God
Jesus, make my heart sing right through the day
Listen

 

 

Matthew 15.1-20: Some religious leaders asked Jesus "Why do your disciples ignore many external practices of our religion?" Jesus answered, with the words of the prophet Isaiah: "This people honors me with external lip-service, while their hearts are far from me." Jesus also said "It's not certain foods or lack of washing  that makes a person unclean. It's evil in the  heart that makes a person unclean. Evil intentions like murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, slander. These are the things that make a person unclean."
Jesus, please  clean my heart
  Listen

 

Reflection on the above readings: Whether it's a car or a human person, external looks are important, but what's most important is what's under the hood/bonnet

-------------------

 As usual before a typhoon .... very, very, very, very, very ...hot weather!

-------------------------

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 people in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 13th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Jianxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 13th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Congo

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday, please pacify Al-Shabaab 

----------------------------

----------------------

------

(Several trips since 2020 but not convenient to post reports)

   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)

April 4, 2016: BBC video report (3 mins) about East African drug mules going to HK ...and my anti-drug campaign

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

July 16, 2017: Stay away - letter writing by South American inmates in HK is deterring drug trafficking, says prison chaplain

----------------------

My anti-drug campaign sites 
(skillfully managed by kind HK friends):

www.voiceforprisoners.org 

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

Other photos 1957 to present

---------------------

Best of Smiles

Classics

---------------------

Powered by w3.css