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
Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through 2026!
Tues Dec 30
Yesterday I was at Shatin Court from 9.15am to 3.30pm for a 45
second (!) hearing (at 3.20pm) of one of my bail cases. I had hoped to be back to Jordan for
the visit of a group of Caritas students at 12.30 .... but no problem ... Eddie
Chan and our social worker team looked after the group.
Another
video from MercyHK's 25/12 Christmas Celebration outside MercyHK's canteen
*** And another
beautiful sharing by MercyHK case worker Shirley Lee after she and a group
of homeless people attended my Chinese Mass last Sunday morning, followed by
breakfast at McDonald's (click "translation" for English)
US-sponsored Israeli
genocide in Gaza: NGOs
not sure if allowed to continue working in Gaza in 2026
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
82. The acceleration of technological and social change in the past two centuries, with all its contradictions and conflicts, not only had an impact on the lives of the poor but also became the object of debate and reflection on their part. The various movements of workers, women and young people, and the fight against racial discrimination, gave rise to a new appreciation of the dignity of those on the margins of society. The Church’s social doctrine also emerged from this matrix. Its analysis of Christian revelation in the context of modern social, labor, economic and cultural issues would not have been possible without the contribution of the laity, men and women alike, who grappled with the great issues of their time. At their side were those men and women religious who embodied a Church forging ahead in new directions. The epochal change we are now undergoing makes even more necessary a constant interaction between the faithful and the Church’s Magisterium, between ordinary citizens and experts, between individuals and institutions. Here too, it needs to be acknowledged once more that reality is best viewed from the sidelines, and that the poor are possessed of unique insights indispensable to the Church and to humanity as a whole. ((the word "sidelines" again makes me question this translation. Surely "sidelines" should be "field of action" or "real situation"..or "the ground" ...i.e. not from the sidelines as an observer, but from those actually on the field of life!))
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
John 2.9-16: Anyone
who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark.
Do not love the ungodly values of this world generated by the sensual body, the
lustful eye and a pride in possessions. Such things do not come from God
Jesus, please help me avoid worldly values
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
95: Come ring out our joy
to the Lord. Hail the rock who saves us. Let us come before him giving thanks.
With songs let us praise the Lord. A mighty God is the Lord, a great king above
all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth. The heights of the mountains
are his. To him belongs the sea, for he made it, and the dry land shaped by his
hands. Come in, let us bow and bend low.
Let us kneel before the God who made us. For he is our God and we
are the people who belong to his pasture.
Lord, you are our Creator. Our life comes from you. We praise and love
you, Lord
Listen
Luke
2.36-40:
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
Reflection: During this time after Christmas, let's join Mary and Joseph in continuous reflection on the identity of the baby Jesus
------------------------------
On busy days there's a message from the Baby in the Crib:
Slow down and just think of Me a
bit more!
-------------------------------
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 30th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shanghai
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 30th of the month, Jesus please
bless the people of Rwanda
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 2026!
Mon Dec 29
Yesterday was a very happy day for me: 8.30am Cantonese Mass at St Paul's Parish was attended by MercyHK case worker Shirley Lee with about a dozen members of the "club" based at MercyHK's day centre for homeless people. ...followed by breakfast for 16 of us at nearby McDonalds. Then my usual midday English Mass at the Dr Jesus Centre for special domestic workers and bail guests ...followed by lunch for all at the cetnre. For both Masses and both meals Deacon Charles Chu - recently appointed to St Paul's Parish - was a special helper/guest. Then from 3pm there was a meeting at the Dr Jesus Centre for 3 people recently given bail, joined around 6pm by 2 kind Filipinas who on their day off had just visited 11 prisoners. Thank you Jesus for yesterday!
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
81. These popular leaders know that solidarity “also means fighting against the structural causes of poverty and inequality; of the lack of work, land and housing; and of the denial of social and labor rights. It means confronting the destructive effects of the empire of money… Solidarity, understood in its deepest sense, is a way of making history, and this is what the popular movements are doing.” [72] For this reason, when different institutions think about the needs of the poor, it is necessary to “include popular movements and invigorate local, national and international governing structures with that torrent of moral energy that springs from including the excluded in the building of a common destiny.” [73] Popular movements, in fact, invite us to overcome “the idea of social policies being a policy for the poor, but never with the poor and never of the poor, much less part of a project which can bring people back together.” [74] If politicians and professionals do not listen to them, “democracy atrophies, turns into a slogan, a formality; it loses its representative character and becomes disembodied, since it leaves out the people in their daily struggle for dignity, in the building of their future.” [75] The same must be said of the institutions of the Church.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
John 2.3-6: We
can be sure we know God only by keeping his commandments. Anyone who says
"I know him" and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, refusing
to admit the truth. We can be sure we are in God only if we are living
the same kind of life as Christ lived
Jesus, please help me live like you, live for you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
96: O sing a new song to the
Lord. Sing to the Lord, all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name.
Proclaim his help day by day. Tell among the nations his glory, and his wonders
among all the peoples. It was the Lord who made the heavens. Give the Lord, you
families of peoples, give the Lord glory and honor. Bring an offering and enter
his temple. Worship the Lord in his sacred place. Let the heavens rejoice and
earth be glad. Let the sea and all within it thunder praise. Let the land and
all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the forest shout for joy. Everyone
and everything, give the Lord glory and honor.
Lord, you are our Creator. We love and praise you
Listen
Luke
2.21-32: When the baby was
circumcised on the 8th day, he was given the name Jesus, the name the angel had
given him 9 months before. When Jesus was 40 days old, his parents took him to
the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as the Law required. In
Jerusalem there was an old man named Simeon. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him
that before he died, he would see the Christ of the Lord. Prompted
by the Spirit, he came to the Temple, took Jesus in his arms and praised God,
saying "Now, Master, you
can let your servant go in peace, for my eyes have seen the Savior. He is a
light to enlighten the pagans, and he is the glory of your people Israel"
Jesus, true Light of the world, we praise you
Lord
Listen
Reflection: During this Christmas week, let's keep thinking about the first Christmas .... keep "pondering in our hearts", like Mary.
-------------------------
In
the course of last nights gathering I learnt some new prison Cantonese
...."Jyu yuhk" which means "pork" in ordinary Cantonese, in
prison language means the drug Ice!
--------------------
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 29th of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Chongqing
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 29th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Nigeria
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 2026!
Sun Dec 28
Feast of the Holy Family
More
photos of 25/12 Christmas Celebration outside MercyHK"s canteen
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
80. We must also recognize that, throughout centuries of Christian history, helping the poor and advocating for their rights has not only involved individuals, families, institutions, or religious communities. There have been, and still are, various popular movements made up of lay people and led by popular leaders, who have often been viewed with suspicion and even persecuted. I am referring to “all those persons who journey, not as individuals, but as a closely-bound community of all and for all, one that refuses to leave the poor and vulnerable behind... ‘Popular’ leaders, then, are those able to involve everyone... They do not shun or fear those young people who have experienced hurt or borne the weight of the cross.” ((I not sure what this is about!))
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: Pope
- How, at Christmas, can we not think of the people freezing in tents in
Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold? - in this
report
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Feast of Holy Family
Sirach
1-3: All wisdom
comes from God. Love for God is the source of wisdom. If you desire wisdom, keep
the Lord's commandments, in private as well as in public. Keep
the commandment to honor your parents. Respect for your father will atone
for your sins. Honor for your mother will gain you blessings. Support your
father in his old age. Even if his mind should fail, show him kindness. Do not
despise him in your health and strength. Be gentle in the way you live your
life. The greater you are, the more humbly you should behave.
Dear God, please help me always respect and honor my parents
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
128: O blessed are those who love
the Lord and walk in his ways. By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You
will be happy and prosper: your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your
house; your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus
shall be blessed the people who love and honor the Lord. May the Lord bless you
from Zion all the days of your life. May
you see your children's children in a happy Jerusalem! On
Israel, peace!
Dear Lord, may all married people live to see their children's children
Listen
Colossians
3-4: 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
2.13-23: After the wise men left Bethlehem,
an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said
"Go quickly to Egypt,
because Herod wants to kill the child". That same night, Joseph got up
and set out for Egypt with Mary and Jesus.
Herod was angry after being tricked by the wise men.
He got his soldiers to kill all baby boys two years old or younger in
Bethlehem. After Herod died some months later,
an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream
and told him to return to Israel. Joseph, Mary and Jesus moved to the town of
Nazareth,
thus fulfilling the prophecy about the Saviour:
"He will be called a Nazarene".
Jesus, you were once a refugee. Please bless all refugees in the world today
Listen
Reflection: The Holy Family were most genuine asylum seekers - fleeing from clear and present danger
-------------
For
the past 2 days I have been greatly distracted by a game of cricket at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground ... which
had more than 90,000 spectators both days
------------------------------
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 28th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Beijing
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 28th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Ivory Coast
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through
2026!
Sat Dec 27
Video of
25/12 Christmas celebration outside MercyHK canteen in Temple Street, with
Bishop Jospeh Ha
Beautiful! Gentri
- Little Drummer Boy (170m views!!!) ... and this
one: Andre
Rieu and Kimmy Scota - Ave Maria
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
79. We could also mention individuals such as Saint Benedict Menni and the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who worked alongside people with disabilities; Saint Charles de Foucauld among the communities of the Sahara; Saint Katharine Drexel for the most underprivileged groups in North America; Sister Emmanuelle, with the garbage collectors in the Ezbet El Nakhl neighborhood of Cairo; and many others. Each in their own way discovered that the poorest are not only objects of our compassion, but teachers of the Gospel. It is not a question of “bringing” God to them, but of encountering him among them. All of these examples teach us that serving the poor is not a gesture to be made “from above,” but an encounter between equals, where Christ is revealed and adored. Saint John Paul II reminded us that “there is a special presence of Christ in the poor, and this requires the Church to make a preferential option for them.” [70] Therefore, when the Church bends down to care for the poor, she assumes her highest posture.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for St John the Apostle
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
Recording of this reading
John
20.1-10: Before
dawn the next morning, Sunday, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. She saw
the stone had been moved from the tomb's entrance. She
ran to Peter and John and said "Someone has taken the Lord out of the
tomb". They ran back to the tomb. Peter went in first. He saw that the
linen cloths were on the ground. But the cloth that had been around Jesus' head
was not on the ground. It was neatly folded and in a place by itself. Then John
went into the tomb. He
saw, and he believed
Jesus, I believe you rose from the dead. Please increase my faith
Recording
1
John 1.1-2: Something
which has existed since the beginning - that we heard, that we saw with our own
eyes, that we touched with our hands: the
Word, who is life - this is our subject. That
life was made visible. We
saw it, and we are giving our testimony, telling you of the eternal life which
was with the Father and has been made visible to us.
Jesus, Word-made-flesh, you are the Way, the
Truth and the Life
Recording
Revelation
1.9-17: I,
John, share your sufferings. I
was on the island of Patmos, imprisoned for having preached about Jesus. One
Sunday the Spirit possessed me. I heard a voice shouting "Write down all
you see, and send it to the seven churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum,
Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea". I turned to see who had
spoken to me, and I saw Jesus, full of glory. His face was like the sun shining
with all its force. He said to me "Do not be afraid. It is I, the First and
the Last. I am the Living One"
Jesus, Living One, we praise and adore you, Lord
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings: John's words about the Word are ideal food for thought in these days after the birth of the Word-made-flesh
-----------------------
My Christmas Day lunch was pizza with 18 homeless/
recently homeless people and case worker Shirle y Lee at MercyHK's day centre
for homeless people in Shanghai Street .... a Happy Meal indeed!
------------------------------
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 27th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Tibet
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 27th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Tanzania
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
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------------------------
Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through 2026!
Fri
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
2.30pm to 4.30pm yesterday afternoon a wonderful group of volunteers from the HK
Diocesan Youth Group ...assisted by a most professional group of musicians
...with participants from several schools and special groups.... co-ordinated by
MercyHK's Lucia Leung ...sang Christmas carols on Temple Street in front of
MercyHK's canteen....as hundreds of people walked past in Temple Street market.
Moving! Beautiful! With one
extra special guest who spontaneously came to support the activity: Bishop
Joseph Ha . God bless all who arranged, performed and attended the
afternoon! Videos to come ....
US-sponsored
genocide in Gaza: Israel
condemned for new settlements *** Pope
laments suffering of Gaza
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te *** Refusing
to help people in need means rejecting God
78. In Brazil, Saint Dulce of the Poor — known as “the good angel of Bahia” — embodied the same evangelical spirit with Brazilian characteristics. Referring to her and two other religious women canonized during the same celebration, Pope Francis recalled their love for the most marginalized members of society and said that the new saints “show us that the consecrated life is a journey of love at the existential peripheries of the world.” [69] Sister Dulce responded to precariousness with creativity, obstacles with tenderness and need with unshakeable faith. She began by taking in the sick in a chicken coop and from there founded one of the largest social services in the country. She assisted thousands of people a day, without ever losing her gentleness, making herself poor with the poor for the love of the Poorest One. She lived with little, prayed fervently and served with joy. Her faith did not distance her from the world, but drew her even more deeply into the pain of the least among us.
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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
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For
the day after Christmas! Tangmalangaloo
-------------------------
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 10th
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 10th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Guinea
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
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----------------------------
Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through 2026!
Thurs Dec 25
Each
Christmas Day my thoughts go back to happy
gatherings in Zhaoqing
Everyone
most welcome to join MercyHK's Christmas Singing outside our canteen at 187
Temple Street, Jordan, from 2.30 to 5pm
today. Bishop Joseph Ha will be coming please God, as he did last year.
Yesterday there were Christmas gatherings at centre for homeless people at 192
Shanghai Street, for drug addicts at our centre at 557 Nathan Road, and at the
Dr Jesus Centre for women who work on Temple Street.
This
report by South Africa's Daily Maverick mentions my anti-drug
campaign work
Over
the past week during breakfast I have watched this most revealing and
shameful documentary: How
one drug trafficking family built Shanghai and controlled China's opium trade
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
77. Saint Teresa of Calcutta, canonized in 2016, has become a universal icon of charity lived to the fullest extent in favor of the most destitute, those discarded by society. Foundress of the Missionaries of Charity, she dedicated her life to the dying abandoned on the streets of India. She gathered the rejected, washed their wounds and accompanied them to the moment of death with the tenderness of prayer. Her love for the poorest of the poor meant that she did not only take care of their material needs, but also proclaimed the good news of the Gospel to them: “We are wanting to proclaim the good news to the poor that God loves them, that we love them, that they are somebody to us, that they too have been created by the same loving hand of God, to love and to be loved. Our poor people are great people, are very lovable people, they do not need our pity and sympathy, they need our understanding love. They need our respect; they need that we treat them with dignity.” [67] All this came from a deep spirituality that saw service to the poorest as the fruit of prayer and love, the source of true peace, as Pope John Paul II reminded the pilgrims who came to Rome for her beatification: “Where did Mother Teresa find the strength to place herself completely at the service of others? She found it in prayer and in the silent contemplation of Jesus Christ, his Holy Face, his Sacred Heart. She herself said as much: ‘The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service.’ It was prayer that filled her heart with Christ’s own peace and enabled her to radiate that peace to others.” [68] Teresa did not consider herself a philanthropist or an activist, but a bride of Christ crucified, serving with total love her suffering brothers and sisters.
-------------------------
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
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--------------------
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 25th 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Dec 24
Christmas Eve! - O come let us adore him!
brilliant!
The
Christmas Scale (921k
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
Yesterday morning I was given one of the happiest Christmas presents a
prison chaplain can receive: Hearing a High Court judge say "I have a mind
to grant bail to ...." ... someone from China who had been in prison
for 9 months after being tricked to bring fake US$100 dollar notes to HK ....now
on bail. Thank you Jesus!
Last night at our newly renovated 18/F centre in Nathan Road, I
attended a special Christmas gathering for the Nepal drug addicts who usually
have their weekly gathering at the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street. A lovely
evening. And the 18/F is really beautiful ...with the 19/F now wholly used for
office areas for MercyHK staff.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: JESUS,
PLEASE GIVE PEACE TO YOUR HOMELAND!
Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi
Te
76. Christian holiness often flourishes in the most forgotten and wounded places of humanity. The poorest of the poor — those who lack not only material goods but also a voice and the recognition of their dignity — have a special place in God’s heart. They are the beloved of the Gospel, the heirs to the Kingdom (cf. Lk 6:20). It is in them that Christ continues to suffer and rise again. It is in them that the Church rediscovers her call to show her most authentic self.
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The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
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
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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!"
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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 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, 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
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Photos
from my time in China 2001-20008
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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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