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 Nov 25
Yesterday about a 100 members of the MercyHK Family .... homeless
people, single mothers and their children, domestic helpers, drug addicts,
asylum seekers ...and staff ... had a special outing to Ocean Park. Photos to
come.
At my Mass at St Paul's Parish Yau Ma Tai last Sunday, there was
a sharing by HK co-ordinator Kelly Chung about her wonderful NGO Mary's
Meals which provides a meal each school day for 3 million (!) children in
many poor parts of the world, especially Africa. A donation of HK$200 can
provide a meal each school day for one child for one year!
US-sponsored Israeli
genocide in Gaza: There
is no ceasefire in Gaza
I read every word of this most insightful article: They're
doing to America what they did to Christianity (see especially his
words about Pope Francis and Pope Leo, towards the end of the article)
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
46. This Christocentric and deeply ecclesial perspective leads us to affirm that offerings, when born of love, not only alleviate the needs of one’s brother or sister, but also purify the heart of the giver, if he or she is willing to change. Indeed, in the words of Pseudo-Augustine: “almsgiving can be beneficial to you in erasing past sins, if you have amended your ways.” [37] It is, so to speak, the ordinary path to conversion for those who wish to follow Christ with an undivided heart.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah
41-42: The Lord says to his people Israel:
"I have chosen you. I have not rejected you.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Stop being anxious and worried.
I am your God. I give you strength and help. Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have endowed him with my spirit
that he may bring true justice to the nations. He does not cry out or shout aloud.
He does not extinguish the wavering flame. I have called him to serve the cause of right,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to free captives from prison".
Lord, please help me understand
how "my servant" is Jesus
My
recording of this reading
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
Listen
Hebrews
11.1 - 12.15: 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
John
14.8-21: At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples
"To have seen me, is to have seen the Father. I am in the Father, and
the Father is in me. Whatever you ask for in my name, I will do it,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you love me, you
will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father and he will give you
another Friend to be always with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth
who will be living in your heart. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and
my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home in his
heart".
Father, Jesus, Spirit of Truth - three
Persons, one God
- thank you for living in
my heart
Listen
Reflection: "Heart" is just a symbol of the control centre in our brain (..c.f. person can have artificial physical heart...). "Live in" is also maybe just a symbol ... the reality is more like our control centre is wired to the Divine Control Centre, Divine Internet ....and Jesus, above in John's Gospel, tells us the password: L O V E
------------------------------
For yesterday's outing to Ocean Park, some of the children
who took part dressed in Panda clothing/colours .... ready to meet the Pandas
of Ocean Park!
-------------------------------
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 25th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ningxia
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month, Jesus please
bless the people of Lesotho
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Nov 24
Sunday
Examiner
report about the ordination of Fr Stebin Thomas O.M.I. by Cardinal Stephen
Chow on Nov 6
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
45. The Doctor of Grace saw caring for the poor as concrete proof of the sincerity of faith. Anyone who says they love God and has no compassion for the needy is lying (cf. 1 Jn 4:20). Commenting on Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man and the “treasure in heaven” reserved for those who give their possessions to the poor (cf. Mt 19:21), Augustine puts the following words in the Lord’s mouth: “I received the earth, I will give heaven; I received temporal goods, I will give back eternal goods; I received bread, I will give life… I have been given hospitality, but I will give a home; I was visited when I was sick, but I will give health; I was visited in prison, but I will give freedom. The bread you have given to my poor has been consumed, but the bread I will give will not only refresh you, but will never end.” [36] The Almighty will not be outdone in generosity to those who serve the people most in need: the greater the love for the poor, the greater the reward from God.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah
36-40: "Console my people, console them"
says the Lord. A voice cries out "Prepare in the
wilderness a way for the Lord.
Make a straight highway for our God across every desert. Let every valley be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
and all people will see the Lord's glory." Go up on a high mountain,
joyful messenger to Zion. Shout with a loud voice,
joyful messenger to Jerusalem. Shout to the towns of Judah
"Here is your God". Lord, please help me prepare
your way
into my heart, into my family, into my world
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
32: 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
Listen
Hebrews
10.32-39: Remember all the suffering you experienced
after you became Christians - the insults and violence, the loss of
your possessions. Don't give up now. Keep going in your
Christian life.
You and I are not the sort of people who give up.
We are the sort of people who stay faithful until our souls are saved
Jesus, help me keep going,
despite difficulties
Listen
John
14.2 & 14.6: Jesus said to his
disciples at the meal: To all of you I say, there are many rooms in
my Father's house.
I am going now to prepare a place for you. I
am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through me"
Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth and the
Life.
Please help more and more people follow you to find truth and life
Listen
Reflection: The more our sick world suffers from an assault on the truth, the more we need the Truth
-------------------------
Check
this fantastic catch (click "Read Full Story" then
"Video")
--------------------
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 24th of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Inner
Mongolia
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 24th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Djibouti
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Nov 23 Feast of Christ the King
My main reason for taking part in the Hong Kong Metropolitan
University ceremony on Nov 14 was to encourage continuing contact between the
university and the Correctional Services Department for involving more prisoners
in correspondence study courses. Now this is already happening .... on Dec 11 a
meeting has been arranged at the university for this purpose. And ... thank you
HKMU for Nov 14 photos here
and here
(p/word: HF2025)
215
children and 12 teachers kidnapped from Nigerian Catholic school
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
44. Formed in this tradition, the holy Bishop of Hippo taught for his part about the preferential love for the poor. A vigilant pastor and theologian of rare insight, he realizes that true ecclesial communion is expressed also in the communion of goods. In his Commentaries on the Psalms, he reminds us that true Christians do not neglect love for those most in need: “Observing your brothers and sisters, you know if they are in need, but if Christ dwells in you, also be charitable to strangers.” [35] This sharing of goods therefore stems from theological charity and has as its ultimate goal the love of Christ. For Augustine, the poor are not just people to be helped, but the sacramental presence of the Lord.
An American Pope reminds us of the value of art!
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Christ the King
2
Samuel 4-5: After
Ishbaal, son of Saul, was murdered, David became king of Israel as well as
king of Judah. David
was 30 years old when he became king. He reigned over Judah for 7 years. Then he
reigned over all Israel and Judah for 33 years. David continued to fight against
the Philistines. God
blessed David in all his campaigns.
Dear God, may all of Israel be blessed with peace
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
1.15-20: Christ
is the image of the unseen God. In him were created all things. All
things were created through him and for him. Before anything was created, he
existed. He holds all things in unity. The Church is his body. He is its head.
God wants all things to be reconciled through him who brought peace by his death
on the Cross
Jesus, God the Son become man, may our world find reconciliation and peace in
you
Listen
Luke
23.39-43: One of the
criminals hanging on a cross mockingly said to Jesus "Are you not the
Christ? Save yourself and us as well". But the other criminal rebuked the
first one and said "We are paying the penalty for our crimes. But this man
has done nothing wrong". "Jesus",
he said, "remember me when you come into your kingdom". Jesus
replied "I promise you, this day you will be with me in Paradise"
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Beautiful song with words from today's Gospel: Jesus, Remember Me
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
-------------------------------
Australia-England
cricket in Perth. First
Test finishes in 2 days! (... don't read this if you are from England!)
------------------------------
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 23rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guangxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Togo
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Nov 22
Last night I was one of ten board members at an end of year Voice
for Prisoners meeting and meal. Special thanks to Chairman John Budge for
last night and for all your work over the past year.
Man
in photo here (Nov 27, 2023) might be HK man. Anyone recognize him?
Pls let me know: jdwomi@gmail.com
w/app: +852 67095674
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: Israel murders
33 more people in Gaza
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
43. Augustine’s spiritual guide was Saint Ambrose, who insisted on the ethical requirement to share material goods: “What you give to the poor is not your property, but theirs. Why have you appropriated what was given for common use?” [34] For the Bishop of Milan, almsgiving is justice restored, not a gesture of paternalism. In his preaching, mercy takes on a prophetic character: he denounces structures that accumulate things and reaffirms communion as the Church’s vocation.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah
35: Strengthen all weary hands,
steady all trembling knees,
and say to all faint hearts
"Courage! Do not be afraid. The Lord is coming to save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
the ears of the deaf unsealed.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy. Exiles will return to Zion shouting for joy,
everlasting joy on their faces. Joy and gladness will go with them.
Sorrow and lament will be ended.
Lord, please heal the friends I
know who are blind, deaf, dumb....
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
32: Happy is the person whose sin is forgiven.
For a while I refused to ask for forgiveness,
and my body paid the penalty. But then I said "Lord, forgive me"
and my spirit and body revived.
Lord,
when I do wrong, please give me the grace to say sorry and ask forgiveness
Listen
Hebrews
10.21-25: Jesus is the supreme High Priest of the whole
house of God.
As we enter that house, let us have sincere hearts that are filled with
faith and hope. Let us be concerned for each other,
encouraging each other to do good. Do not stay away from the meetings as some
people do,
but encourage each other to attend
Jesus, may my life encourage others to
do good
Listen
John
13.34-35: Jesus said to his disciples at the meal
"I give you a new commandment: love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples"
Jesus, please help all Christians to
love one another as you have loved us
Listen
Reflection: The Basic Law of Christianity: Love like Jesus
-----------------------
This might not be easy for HK friends to understand,
but it's exciting stuff for anyone from Australia or UK! Ashes
- Test 1 - Day 1
------------------------------
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 22nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Zhejiang
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 22nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Senegal
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Nov 21
Yesterday a pilgrimage group from Singapore came to
the Dr Jesus Centre and joined the usual Thursday lunch gathering for homeless
people ... as did two HK Canossian Sisters who brought winter clothing for our
Shanghai Street centre for street sleepers. And yesterday afternoon a kind
technician from the phone shop next to the Dr Jesus Centre came and adjusted the
CCTV settings at the centre and at the next door MercyHK canteen ...since we
recently changed our wifi passwords. God bless all the visitors!
US-sponsored
genocide in Gaza: Shortage
of shelter & food in harsh Gaza winter
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
42. Consequently, charity is not optional but a requirement of true worship. Chrysostom vehemently denounced excessive wealth connected with indifference for the poor. The attention due to them, rather than a mere social requirement, is a condition for salvation, which gives unjust wealth a condemnatory weight. “It is very cold and the poor man lies in rags, dying, freezing, shivering, with an appearance and clothing that should move you. You, however, red in the face and drunk, pass by. And how do you expect God to deliver you from misfortune?... You often adorn an unfeeling corpse, which no longer understands honor, with many varied and gilded garments. Yet you despise the one who feels pain, who is torn apart, tortured, tormented by hunger and cold.” [32] This profound sense of social justice leads him to affirm that “not giving to the poor is stealing from them, defrauding them of their lives, because what we have belongs to them.” [33]
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah 31-32: How foolish are people who trust in armaments
but never bother to consult the Lord. Help and salvation come from the Lord who
says:
"Once more I will send the good rain.
Then shall the wilderness be fertile land
and fertile land will become a forest. In the wilderness justice will come to live
and integrity in the fertile land.
Integrity will bring peace,
and justice will bring security. My people will live in a peaceful home,
in safe houses, in quiet dwellings."
Lord, please give our world a
bit more peace
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
31: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in
distress.
My eyes are full of tears, my heart full of sorrow. Everyone makes fun of me. My friends don't want to know me.
Save me, Lord, from this mess. I praise you Lord, for you protect those who trust you.
You keep them safe from slander and lies. Be strong, let your heart take courage,
all you who trust in the Lord
I trust in you, Lord. My life
is in your hands
Listen
Hebrews
8.9 - 9.14: Jesus' priesthood is part of the new covenant
predicted in the Scriptures: "See, the days are coming - it is the
Lord who speaks - when I will establish a new covenant with the House of
Israel". Jesus
has come as High Priest of all the
blessings that were predicted would be part of the new covenant. He has offered not the blood of animals like
priests of the old covenant, but his own blood, by which he won our
redemption. His blood can purify our inner self from dead
actions,
to help us in our life of dedication to the living God
Jesus, by your precious blood, purify my heart
and protect me
Listen
Matthew
26.17-29: On Passover Eve, Jesus ate a last meal with
his apostles.
While they were eating, Jesus told them he knew he would be betrayed by
one of them. He told Judas he knew he was the betrayer. Then Jesus took some bread,
blessed it and gave it to his apostles saying "Take this and eat it.
This is my body". Then he took a cup of wine,
blessed it and gave it to them saying
"Take this and drink it. This is my blood".
Jesus, please help me understand how bread and
wine become your body and blood when Christians celebrate the Eucharist
Listen
Reflection: Hebrews and Mathew ... the Blood of Jesus
----------
Yesterday morning I went to my doctor of some 15 years in
nearby Shanghai Street ...for my annual flu shot ...and annual check up.
God bless the kind doctor!
-------------------------
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 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Yunnan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Afghanistan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Nov 20
After a Mass yesterday morning at Yau Ma Tei parish I went to the
High Court for 2 cases ....one very short, the other very, very long as a most
patient judge dissected and re-dissected a most complicated set of circumstances
involving two defendants involved in two criminal activities. Must admit that I
dozed for a few minutes at one stage!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: Israel
destroys Gaza historical palace
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
41. Among the Eastern Fathers, perhaps the most ardent preacher on social justice was Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople from the late 300s to the early 400s. In his homilies, he exhorted the faithful to recognize Christ in the needy: “Do you wish to honor the body of Christ? Do not allow it to be despised in its members, that is, in the poor, who have no clothes to cover themselves. Do not honor Christ’s body here in church with silk fabrics, while outside you neglect it when it suffers from cold and nakedness… [The body of Christ on the altar] does not need cloaks, but pure souls; while the one outside needs much care. Let us therefore learn to think of and honor Christ as he wishes. For the most pleasing honor we can give to the one we want to venerate is that of doing what he himself desires, not what we devise… So you too, give him the honor he has commanded, and let the poor benefit from your riches. God does not need golden vessels, but golden souls.” [30] Affirming with crystal clarity that, if the faithful do not encounter Christ in the poor who stand at the door, they will not be able to worship him even at the altar, he continues: “What advantage does Christ gain if the sacrificial table is laden with golden vessels, while he himself dies of hunger in the person of the poor? Feed the hungry first, and only afterward adorn the altar with what remains.” [31] He understood the Eucharist, therefore, as a sacramental expression of the charity and justice that both preceded and accompanied it. That same charity and justice should perpetuate the Eucharist through love and attention to the poor.
-------------------------
The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah 28-30:
God says:
"I will punish priests and prophets who mislead the
people.
Their mouths utter lies. They honor me only with lip-service
while their hearts are far from me. Religion has become just a mental
exercise,
just a series of human laws." The Lord appeals to everyone:
trust in him and cease to do evil. Salvation is found in conversion and
tranquility.
Strength is found in complete trust in the Lord.
Lord, please help us honor you
with our hearts as well as our heads
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
29-30: The Lord gives us strength, the Lord blesses
us with peace.
Thank you, Lord, for so often helping and healing me.
I cried to you when sickness surrounded me, and you healed
me. You changed my mourning into dancing.
So I will thank you always.
Thank you, Lord, for all the
times you have healed me
Listen
Hebrews7.1-28: Melchizedek was king of Salem and a priest of
God. He blessed Abraham. Abraham gave Melchizedek 10% of all
he had. Melchizedek's priesthood continued down
the ages in people dedicated to the service of God. It reached its
perfection in the Son of God, the Eternal High Priest. The Son of God, our Lord, did not come from
the priestly tribe of Levi. Everyone knows he came from the tribe of Judah.
This is because he established a new
priesthood, coming not from Levi, but from Melchizedek. This is why the
prophecy was made of him "You are a priest of the order of
Melchizedek, for ever". Jesus' priestly power to save us is utterly
certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God
through him
Jesus, Eternal High Priest, please help all
pastors and priests be more like you every day
Listen
John 13.21-30: Jesus became visibly upset and said to his
disciples at the meal
"One of you is going to betray
me. It is the one to whom I give a
piece of bread that I have dipped in the dish". He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to
Judas Iscariot. Immediately, Satan entered Judas. Jesus said to Judas "What you are going
to do, do quickly".
Judas left the meal. Night had fallen
Jesus, please don't let me ever be disloyal to
you
Listen
Reflection: "Satan entered Judas" - these words are not in Matthew and Mark (the earliest Gospels) ..only in Luke and John (the later Gospels). Maybe it took some time for people to realize what had actually happened
-----------------
Sunday
morning ....runners in Yau Ma Tei?
--------------------
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 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 20th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sudan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Nov 19
Another beautiful sharing by MercyHK volunteer Shirley Lee - about last Sunday
morning's Mass at St Paul's Parish Yau Ma Tei
For decades I have boycotted
Nestles ...just like the people in
this chat .... but the problem continues: Africa
report
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: West
Bank settlers operating with total impunity
A special story below at
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
40. For his part, Saint Justin, who addressed his First Apology to Emperor Adrian, the Senate and people of Rome, explained that Christians bring all that they can to those in need because they see them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Writing about the assembly gathered in prayer on the first day of the week, he underscored that at the heart of the Christian liturgy, it is not possible to separate the worship of God from concern for the poor. Consequently, at a certain point in the celebration: “they who are well-to-do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans and widows, and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds, and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.” [29] This demonstrates that the nascent Church did not separate belief from social action: faith without witness through concrete actions was considered dead, as Saint James taught us (cf. 2:17).
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah 26-27: Trust in the Lord for ever,
for the Lord is an everlasting Rock. Lord, we trust in you, we hope in you.
At night our hearts long for you. Lord, when we shelter under your protection
you give us peace.
Lord, please help us trust you more
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
28: To you, O Lord, I call, my rock, hear me.
If you do not heed, I shall become like people in the grave. Lord, you are my strength and my shield.
In you my heart trusts. Thank you, Lord, for so often hearing my
prayer.
I will always thank and praise you. You are the strength of your people Israel.
Save your people. Be our shepherd and carry us for ever.
Lord, please help people who
are in big danger today
Listen
Hebrews
6.11-19: May every one of you persevere in your
Christian life.
Never give up. Remember how Abraham persevered in following
God, despite so many difficulties. Take a firm grip on the hope that is held out
to us by God.
This hope is an anchor for us, a lifeline going right up to heaven
Jesus, you are my anchor. You are my lifeline
Listen
John
13.1-15: While Jesus and his disciples were eating a
meal just before the Passover, Jesus got up from the table, removed his
outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist as an
apron. He then poured water into a basin, and like a
slave, began to wash the disciples' feet, wiping them with the towel
he was wearing. After washing their feet he said to them
"You are right in calling me Master and Lord. If I, then, the
Lord and Master, have humbly served you, you should humbly serve one
another. I have given you an example so that you may
copy what I have done for you"
Jesus, please help us to serve other people
humbly,
just as you humbly served the disciples
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: A towel around the waist was the dress of a slave ...as was the action of washing people's feet
-------------------
Yesterday after lunch when I was having a rest in my home,
I read page 18 of The
Healing Light by Agnes Sanford ....my 3rd or 4th time to read this wonderful
book about praying for healing. At the bottom of p. 18 Agnes says how she once
used the story of Peter Rabbit when praying for healing for a paralysed little
girl. After my rest when I stopped at MercyHK's canteen before going back to the
Dr Jesus Centre, two visitors at the canteen asked me for a photo of them with a
beautiful painting of .... Peter Rabbit! Which I took as a sign from Above that
reading "The Healing Light" was a good idea!
-------------------------
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 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, 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)
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
---------------------
---------------------
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Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and
bloggers!
Fr
John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com HK
mobile +852- 67095674
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .
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