V2Catholic.com
A voice for the poor
by HK prison chaplain 胡頌恆神父
Dr
Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordan
Fr John Wotherspoon
O.M.I.
jdwomi@gmail.com
+852 67095674
Imitating
Pope Francis
My
other sites/links
Wed May 1
International
Labor Day
& Feast of St Joseph the Worker
This is the Labor Day "Golden Week" in China .... and the Temple Street Night Market here in Jordan has many visitors from the Mainland
Yesterday at the High Court one of the two bail applications I was supporting was successful! Thank you Jesus!
UK man turns his home into homeless shelter
I was supposed to write this column a couple of days ago but every time I sat down at my desk and tried to write about the horrors in Gaza, I felt physically sick and had to stop. How can anyone be OK with our tax dollars funding this, I keep asking myself? How can anyone be OK with the fact that innocent children are suffering unimaginable horrors and Americans are helping to pay for it? - from Why no US investigation into mass graves in Gaza?
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for St Joseph the Worker (For International Labor Day)
Genesis
1-2: God made the
world. God made the sun, the moon and the stars....the whole
universe. God said "Let there be light" and there was light. God
made the earth with all its plants and trees and animals and fish and birds. God
made the first people.....the first man and first woman. God made them in
his own image and said to them "Be fruitful, multiply and fill the
earth." God saw all that
he had made, and all of it was good, very good.
Dear God, thank you for making such a beautiful
world!
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
90: O Lord you have been our
refuge from one generation to the next. Before the earth or the world
existed, you are God, without beginning or end. For you, a thousand years are
like yesterday, come and gone so quickly. We humans have a short life, our
life is over like a sigh. Our span is 70 years, or 80 for those who are strong.
Make us know the shortness of our life, that we may gain wisdom of heart. In the
morning, fill us with your love. Give success to the
work of our hands.
Lord, help us realize the shortness of our life,
that we may live our lives more wisely
Recording
Colossians
3.18 - 4.1: Wives
and husbands, understand and support each other. Children, be obedient to your
parents. Parents, treat your children fairly or else they will rebel. Slaves, be
obedient and respectful to your owners. Offer up your
work to the Lord, our
Heavenly Owner. Owners, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember your Heavenly
Owner.
Jesus, help families to live together in
harmony
Recording
Matthew
13.53-58: One day Jesus went to Nazareth,
his home town. In the prayer hall there he taught the local people. But the
local people would not accept him. They said "Where did he get such
wisdom and miraculous power? He is just a
carpenter's son. His mother is that woman called Mary. His brothers are
James, Joseph, Simon and Jude. His sisters are here, too. He's nobody
special." Jesus said to them "A prophet is despised only in his own
country and his own house". And he did not work many miracles there because
of their lack of faith.
Jesus, please give me more faith in you .... and
don't let me reject people
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: On this International Workers/Labor Day, may the example of the carpenter whom Jesus called "father" help us to offer up our work as a prayer to the Lord ... like a woman who used to pray "Jesus, I don't really like washing and ironing, but I offer it up as a prayer asking that you would keep my family safe". Let us also pray for the tens of millions of workers who have no jobs
---------------------------
For
International Labor Day:
Pope
John XXIII was once asked how many people worked at the Vatican. "About
half of them" he replied
-------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E.Asia, Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus,
today, Wednesday,
please bless the people of East
Asia
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 1st
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Anhui
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 1st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Niger
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues April 30
Yesterday morning I was at Easter Court for a committal hearing of one of my bail cases. Today I am due to be at the High Court for two more bail applications
"High risk, formidable danger" - a most eloquent letter from a local HK man in prison for drug trafficking ... his tragic story ... the desolation of being in detention .... his warning to others not to be tempted to make quick money by illegal means: English Chinese
Video: US university protests against genocide in Gaza
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah
5: My friend had a vineyard on a fertile
hillside.
He planted choice vines in it and expected it to produce good grapes.
But it produced only sour grapes.
That vineyard is Israel. Its owner is the Lord.
That chosen plant is the people of Judah. The Lord expected the people of Israel to
produce justice.
But those people have produced only bloodshed and injustice. Those people have no time to think about the
Lord.
They have no interest in what he has done for them. So they are consigning themselves to ruin.
The vineyard will be trampled on and become a waste. Invaders will attack Israel.
The people of Israel will be taken into exile.
All because they rejected the Lord.
"I am the true vine. My
Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no
fruit he cuts away. Every branch that does bear fruit he
prunes to make it bear even more" - Jesus (John 15.1-2)
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
1
Corinthians 16.5-24:
I hope to visit you after I have been to
Macedonia.
I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost,
because an important door
has opened for my work, despite
opposition. Be brave and strong. Let everything be done in
love. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you
Jesus, help me be brave and strong, like Paul
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: Every Christian is called to try ever harder to care for other people the way Jesus did .... and to show special care for other Christians
------------------------------
For some time now I have been unable to have classical music on Youtube playing if I open another tab on my PC. But last week Google told me what to do: How to keep Youtube going when you open another tab
-------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus,
today, Tuesday,
please bless the people of
South
Asia
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 30th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shanghai
&Tianjin
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 Uganda
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon April 29
Pope visits women's prison in Venice
Sanders hits back at Netanyahu
Simon Tisdall: New movie - Civil War ... and D. Trump
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah:
3-4: Jerusalem is falling into ruins
because its people do not keep the Lord's way. Jerusalem's leaders mislead the people
and lead the way in doing wrong. But soon the Lord will take action.
He will raise up a people who are good. The Lord will protect these special people.
He will be their refuge and help.
Lord, please help our nation to
avoid evil and do good
Listen
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
1
Corinthians 15.54-58: When this mortal nature has put on immortality, then
the words of Scripture will come true: "Death has been defeated.
Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?" Never give up, dear friends, never admit
defeat. Keep on working at the Lord's work always. Know that, in the Lord,
no work is in vain
Jesus, please give me more faith to "keep going"
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
Listem
Reflection: How or why did Satan enter Judas? Maybe his stealing from the common purse opened the door of his heart?
-------------------------
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N. America
Jesus,
today, Monday,
please bless the people of Europe
& Russia
And
praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On
this 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.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun April 28
Student protests sweep 40 campuses. God bless the students!
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f.
readings for Easter 5:
Acts 9.20-31: After a few
days, Paul began preaching in the prayer halls that Jesus is the Son of God.
People were amazed at Paul's conversion. As time passed, the Jews planned to
kill Paul. Paul heard of this and decided to leave the city. The Jews kept watch
at the city gates to stop him leaving. Then one night he was able to escape: some
disciples lowered him in a basket from the city wall. He
went to Jerusalem and began preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. Soon
another plot was made to kill him. Therefore the disciples sent him to Tarsus.
After this the churches throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria were left in
peace. They steadily grew, strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, please strengthen me, as you strengthened Paul and the first
believers
My
recording of this reading
Psalm 22:
1
John 3.16-21: This has taught
us love: that Jesus gave up his life for us. We too should give up our lives for
others. If you see someone in need and refuse to help him, how can the love of
God be in you? Our
love must be put into practice, not be just words. Anyone who loves God
must also love other people
Jesus, help me put my love into practice by
helping people in need
Listen
John
15.1-8: At the meal, Jesus said to his
disciples "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Each branch
in me that bears no fruit, he cuts off. Each branch that does bear fruit, he
prunes to make it bear even more fruit. As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
but must remain part of the vine, so you can't bear fruit unless you
remain in me. Cut off from me, you can do nothing. If you remain in me, and my
words are alive in your heart, you can ask for any good thing and you will get
it. It
is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit"
Jesus, please help me stay close to you. Help me
bear much fruit
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: "Fruit" (Gospel) means actions, not just words (I John)
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
-------------------------------
To
go with first reading:
Paul was a
basket case?
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., N America
Jesus,
today, Sunday,
please bless the people of
Africa
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 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
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat April 27
Another video report of MercyHK's Easter Sunday activity in Temple Street
I spent most of yesterday at Lo Wu women's prison. Among the inmates I visited were some Temple Street neighbours who recently became guests of the government. (And see below!)
Chinese satellites show that 60% of Gaza destroyed *** Why US students are protesting
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings +
recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah
2: In the days to come, the mountain of the
Lord's Temple
will be specially blessed. All the nations will come to it and say:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that he may teach us his ways
so that we may walk in his paths". When they learn the ways of the Lord,
then the nations will hammer their swords into ploughshares,
their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation,
there will be no more training for war. O House of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Lord, please help world leaders
do more for peace in our world
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
1
Corinthians 15.20-22: Christ has been raised from the dead, the
first to rise of all who have died. Death came through one man, Adam, and rising
from the dead has come through one man, Jesus. Just as all people die because of Adam, so all
people can live because of Christ
Jesus, may all people have
eternal life
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: Isaiah would be sad to read the news from earlier this week: World spending record amount on "defence"
-----------------------
At Lo Wu prison yesterday some of the staff were surprised that one of the sniffer dogs sniffed and then licked my hand .... but showed no interest in the staff. One of them said "...must be because you are a priest". Real reason: Not long before meeting the dog my hand had been holding a tuna sandwich for lunch!
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon:
Europe, Russia
Tues:
South Asia
Wed:
East Asia
Thurs: S.E.
Asia, Pacific
Frid:
South
America
Sat:
Cent. & N America
Jesus,
today, Saturday,
please bless the people of Central
& North America
And
praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 10th
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 10th
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
------------------------
------------------------
Fri April 26
Three years ago yesterday Bishop Joseph Ha blessed the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street, Jordan .... the anniversary being remembered yesterday at our usual Thursday afternoon gathering for homeless people with 10 special guests who sleep "on the street"
ABC Four Corners report: Exposing barons of Australia's meth trade
God bless the US university students protesting against genocide in Gaza. I posted a comment but it was rejected....it said: "Pro-Palestinian protests" is an incorrect term, even a biased term...should be "anti-genocide protests" since the students are protesting against the murder of 14,000 children and the same number of women.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah 1:
Listen, heaven and
earth,
for the Lord is speaking: "The ox knows its
owner and the donkey its master's crib.
But my people have rebelled against me. I am tired of your
hypocritical lives,
tired of offerings given with dirty hands. You are so greedy for
profit,
always looking for bribes. Take your wrong-doing
out of my sight.
Stop doing evil. Learn to do good.
Practise justice towards the poor.
Help the oppressed, the orphan and the widow. Then, though your sins
are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow."
Lord,
please help me "wash my hands" by doing good for poor people
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
1
Corinthians 15.9-11: I am the least of the apostles. In fact, since
I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle. But by God's grace I am what I am, and the
grace that he gave me has not been fruitless. On the contrary, I, or rather the grace of God
in my heart, have worked harder than any of the others, preaching the
same message that they preach
Jesus, may your grace in me be more fruitful
Listen
John 12.42-46: Many people believed in Jesus, even some
important people,
but they did not admit it, through fear of being expelled from the prayer
hall. They put honor from people before the honor that comes from God. Jesus said openly "I, the light, have
come into the world, so that whoever believes in me, need not stay in the
dark any more"
Jesus, true Light of the world, please help me
put honor from you before honor from people
Listen
Reflection: Stopping Jesus from entering our lives means much darkness
------
A few days ago I saw something I haven't seen for decades: a man using a hand pump to put air in the tyres of his bicycle!
-------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: S.
America
Sat: Cent, N. America
Jesus,
today, Friday,
please bless the people of South
America
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 26th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Xinjiang
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 26th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Madagascar
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu April 25
Today is a holiday in Australia & New Zealand for Anzac Day (my 2012 article)
Spanish co-operative an example for the world ....started by a priest
Israel killed and buried 300 Palestinians at Gaza hospital?
-------------------------
The Book Blog:
readings + recordings
Readings are from
Simple Bible
For today's Feast of St. Mark
Mark
14.48-52: Jesus said to them
"Am I a robber that you needed to capture me with swords and clubs? Day
after day I was openly teaching in the Temple". All the apostles then
deserted him and ran away. A
young man who followed
Jesus had nothing on but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the
cloth in their hands and ran away naked.
My
recording of this reading
Acts
15.36-40: Some time after
this, Paul said to Barnabas "Let's revisit the towns where we preached the
word of the Lord". Barnabas suggested taking John
Mark with them, but
Paul opposed this, since John Mark had deserted them on the previous trip when
the situation became dangerous. After a violent argument, Paul and Barnabas
split up. Barnabas went with John Mark to Cyprus. Silas joined Paul for his next
journey.
Recording
Colossians
4.10: Aristarchus, who
is here in prison with me, sends his greetings, and so does Mark,
the cousin of Barnabas. If he comes to you give him a warm welcome.
Recording
1
Peter 5.13: Your
sister in Babylon sends you greetings; so does my son Mark
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: Mark in his youth was good at running ... running away from danger (Gospel and Acts, above). But his feet were eventually right in the danger zone that was Rome. We can also note that not all scholars agree that "Mark" in the above 4 readings is the same person. See Mark the Evangelist
-----------------
HK
park toilet saga
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Mon:
Tues:
Wed:
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid:
Sat:
Cent,
Jesus,
today, Thursday,
please bless
the people of
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 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
-------
----------------------------
Africa:
2020: My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg
Jan 1, 2020: How cocaine trafficking is impacting West Africa
2017: My trip to Southern Africa, Dubai ( The Last Run)
2016:
My trip to Kenya, Uganda
2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi
----------------
Latin America:
2019-05-10: No More Mules Peru FB boost 199,000 views!
2019-01-20: Article in El Pais, Uruguay - 01 02
2018-09-18: No More Mules Facebook campaign - more than 300,000 people reached in Venezuela
2018: My trip to Latin America
----------------
South East Asia:
Aug 16, 2020: CNN - Indonesian women recruited to take drugs to Hong Kong
Oct 23, 2019: FM988 Breakfast program in Kuala Lumpur at which I was a guest
June 2019: My campaign featured in The Malaysia Drug Trade (6 written reports & documentary video)
2019-03-25: Eleven HK01 video and photo reports about Malaysian drug mules arrested in HK- here (one of the reports is about my anti-drug campaign).
Dec 2018 - My Jan 2019 trip to Malaysia
2018: My trip to Thailand and Cambodia
--------------------
Hong Kong:
July 2019: My warning to HK domestic helpers - published here in HK Filipino media
2018-09-22: My 60 min video interview with Radio99, in Cantonese, is here: 01 02 to help stop people going to prison
2018-07-29: SCMP- Beware drug lords luring domestic helpers, refugees into narcotics trade
2018-04-08: The Pearl Report on TVB - concerning HK's Long Term Sentencing Review Board and my anti-drug campaign
March 18, 2018: South China Morning Post report on my work
2017-09-27: SCMP Spirit of HK Awards (video starts after 20 secs)
2017-08-24: Cable TV video report on my anti-drug campaign and a Facebook report on the video report (click "translation" for English)
2017-05-17: SCMP - The prison chaplain who has stopped 150 drug mules reaching HK
2017-03-25: Oriental Daily report of case of South African woman given discount for help to my campaign *** May 14 updates: Oriental Daily, Sing Tao
Dec 1, 2016 - HK News: More women being recruited as drug mules
2016-10-13: HK01 report about campaign and about work for the poor
2016-09-11: Oriental Daily report about my campaign - and same day Editorial
2016-08-27: Oriental Daily article about court case and campaign
My
anti-drug campaign sites
(skillfully
managed by kind HK friends):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasmulas/
Facebook: Chinese no more mules page
http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm
----------------------
Photos from my time in China 2001-20008
---------------------
---------------------
Gay marriage: Elephant in the room (by John W)
--------------------------------------------
Pope's surprise visit to drug treatment centre
Pope is practising what he preaches: "get out and mix with the poor"
HK
readers might like to join me in praying each day for one group of HK
prisoners:
Sun:
Lo Wu
Mon:
C.I.C., Siu Lam, Tai
Lam
Tue: Stanley
Wed: Hei Ling Chau
Thu: Lantau
Fri: Lai Chi Kok
Sat: Hospitals, Pik Uk & other centres
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Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile +852- 67095674
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