V2Catholic.com A voice for the
poor Edited
by HK prison chaplain
Fr John Wotherspoon
O.M.I . 胡頌恆神父
jdwomi@gmail.com
Links, Search
& Archives Imitating
Pope
Francis
This
website's anti-drug campaign saves people from going to prison in HK
See & share inmates'
letters!
HK
Indon
Kenya
Nigeria
Phil
S.A.
S.Amer
Thail
Tanz
Ug
EU
How
campaign began
HK:how
long prison for trafficking?
www.AsylumSeekerHK.com
Tues June 27
What a great story!
Jail Inmates
Save Fallen Officer, Rather Than Escape
It's good to see Tanzania is keeping up the fight against the
drug trade:
Tip police on the
drug offenders, PM says
2018:
What will be the number one April Fool's Day topic next year? See 
below!
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1 Samuel 16:
The Lord told Samuel to go to Bethlehem
and anoint one of Jesse's sons as king. Samuel anointed Jesse's son David as king.
The spirit of the Lord came down on David
and stayed with him from that day on.
Dear God, may your Holy Spirit
come down on more and more people
Psalms
24-26: The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples.
It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe. May all hearts open their doors to the Lord.
Let him enter, the king of glory. Lord I hope in you all the day long.
Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth.
God my savior, teach me your
way of truth
Recording
Philippians
1.27 - 2.4: Avoid anything in your
everyday lives that would be unworthy of the Good News of Christ. Be united in your
convictions, and united in your love.
There must be no competition among you, no conceit. Everyone should be
self-effacing.
Always regard others as better than yourself. Put others interests
before your own.
Jesus, help me say
"no" to anything unworthy of your Good News
Recording
John
18.1-11: After their Last Supper, Jesus and his
disciples went to a garden near the Kedron valley. Judas knew they would be there, since they had
often gathered there.
Judas led the police and soldiers there to arrest Jesus. Jesus said to Judas' group "Who are you
looking for?" They replied "Jesus the Nazarene".
Jesus said "I am the one you are looking for. Let these other men go
free". The group then arrested Jesus and bound him.
They took him to the religious leaders.
Jesus, please bless everyone who is arrested
today, in every country
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings:
From a
human point of view, the religious leaders made a big mistake in not arresting
Jesus' followers with Jesus. And Jesus made sure they made this mistake ....by
persuading, almost tricking, the police into allowing his followers to go
free.
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text
Full Chinese text
109a: Recording: The technocratic paradigm also tends to dominate economic and political life.
The economy accepts every advance in technology with a view to profit, without concern for its potentially negative impact on human beings.
Finance overwhelms the real economy.
The lessons of the global financial crisis have not been assimilated, and we are learning all too slowly the lessons of environmental deterioration.
Some circles maintain that current economics and technology will solve all environmental problems, and argue, in popular and non-technical terms, that the problems of global hunger and poverty will be resolved simply by market growth.
They are less concerned with certain economic theories which today scarcely anybody dares defend, than with their actual operation in the functioning of the economy.
They may not affirm such theories with words, but nonetheless support them with their deeds by showing no interest in more balanced levels of production, a better distribution of wealth, concern for the environment and the rights of future generations.
Their behaviour shows that for them maximizing profits is enough.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text
Full
Chinese text
111: Recording
Evangelization is the task of the Church.
The Church, as the agent of evangelization, is more than an organic and hierarchical institution; she is first and foremost a people advancing on its pilgrim way towards God.
She is certainly a mystery rooted in the Trinity, yet she exists concretely in history as a people of pilgrims and evangelizers, transcending any institutional expression, however necessary.
I would like to dwell briefly on this way of
understanding the Church, whose ultimate foundation is in the free and gracious
initiative of God.
-------------------------------------
Easter Sunday next year is April 1. This is a grave
affair, but Jesus will be smiling.
--------------------------------------
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
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 27th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Uganda
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
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Mon June 26
Fr
Christian Fini O.M.I. (principal), two teachers and 8 students from Mazenod
College in Melbourne were special visitors at last night's Sunday
gathering for the poor at St Paul's Yau Ma Tei. The 8 Year 11 boys joined local
volunteers in serving around 200 guests ....leaving this old man with a very
happy heart to see so much goodness and caring in action.
A recent email from US:
There are half a million people on any given night without a bed to sleep in. Homelessness is a circumstance that nearly everyone thinks could never happen to them - and yet, there are hundreds of thousands of men, women and children with nowhere to call home. We can all do a lot to help those less fortunate than we are:
What's the best way to help the homeless? Former homeless people share their advice
Runaways and Drug Abuse: 15 Ways to Reach Out and Make a Difference
Declutter Your Home Through Philanthropy
13 Essential Items You Never Thought to Donate to Those in Need
The Ultimate Guide to Turning Your Home's Yard into a Community Garden
10 Incredible Ways To Help Homeless Animals Without Adopting Them
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Samuel 13-15: Not long after he became king, Saul began
doing things
that caused Samuel to stop supporting him. Samuel clearly told Saul what the Lord wanted
Saul to do,
but Saul insisted on doing things his own way. Saul seemed more concerned about his own
popularity
than about being obedient to the Lord. This displeased the Lord, and he rejected Saul.
Dear God, please help us
not to disobey you.
"Your will be done".
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
23: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I
shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path. He is true
to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me
comfort. You have prepared a banquet for me in the
sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil. My cup is overflowing. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life. In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever
and ever.
Thank you, Lord, for being my
good shepherd
Recording
Philippians
1.13-25: My chains have become famous and have given
courage to many other believers. Many others are now becoming more daring
in announcing the Message without fear. I hope and trust that I will always have
courage for Christ to be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my
death. My heart wants to go
two ways. One part wants to depart this world and live for ever with
Christ in heaven. The other part wants to stay in this world to help more
people to know the Lord.
Jesus, give me courage in
spreading the Good News
Recording
John
17.1-21: After saying many things to his disciples at the meal, Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed "Father, my time has come. Give eternal life to everyone you have entrusted to
me.
Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have
sent.
I have glorified you on earth, and finished the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with the glory I had with you before the world existed.
Protect those you have given me. Protect them from Satan. Consecrate them in the
truth.
As you sent me into the world, so I am sending them into the world. May all my followers be united, so that the world will believe it was you who sent me".
Jesus, please protect our world from lies and
deception. Please bless people who witness to the truth in difficult
situations
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings:
Once
again we have a similar theme from Paul and Jesus: goodbye thoughts.
Interesting...what would be my goodbye thoughts to my family/friends?! ....no
doubt it would include the "keep them safe" prayer of Jesus
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
108: Recording
The idea of promoting a
different cultural paradigm and employing technology as a mere instrument is
nowadays inconceivable.
The technological paradigm has become so dominant that it would be difficult to do without its resources and even more difficult to utilize them without being dominated by their internal logic.
It has become countercultural to choose a lifestyle whose goals are even partly independent of technology, of its costs and its power to globalize and make us all the same.
Technology tends to absorb everything into its ironclad logic, and those who are surrounded with technology "know full well that it moves forward in the final analysis neither for profit nor for the well-being of the human race", that "in the most radical sense of the term power is its motive - a lordship over all".
As a result, "man seizes hold of the naked elements of both nature and human nature".
Our capacity to make decisions, a more genuine freedom and the space for each one's alternative creativity are diminished.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
110: Recording
After having considered some of the
challenges of the present, I would now like to speak of the task which bears
upon us in every age and place, for "there can be no
true evangelization without the explicit proclamation of Jesus as Lord",
and without "the primacy of the proclamation of Jesus Christ in all
evangelizing work".
Acknowledging the concerns of the Asian bishops, John Paul II told them that if the Church "is to fulfil its providential destiny, evangelization as the joyful, patient and progressive preaching of the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ must be your absolute priority."
These words hold true for all of us.
-------------------------------------
At yesterday afternoon's monthly prayer meeting for healing at St
Paul's Yau Ma Tei ....held in the music room behind the 5/F chapel....I noticed
something special about all the famous composers whose photos were on display on
the room's noticeboards: every one of them had a drawing pin ....in ....his
nose!
--------------------------------------
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 prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On
this 26th of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Togo
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
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Sun June 25
-------------------------------------------------------
Five
men now own half the world's wealth
May this saintly man's hopes come true!
RIP Archbishop John R. Quinn (1929-2017)
The
march towards degendering society
Just
one year after redefining marriage, Colombia's first three-man marriage has been
legally recognized and the "Slippery Slope" theory is now officially
fact
Letter
in English from a Pakistani man in prison in HK for drug trafficking, warning
others not to follow him into the drug world - here
-------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for "Sunday 12"
Jeremiah 18-20: Some officials
decided to get rid of
Jeremiah.
They did not want to listen to his message any more.
"Come on,", they said, "let us make a case against
him." Jeremiah prayed to God:
"Lord, you know that people are plotting against me.
Please help me and keep me safe." One of the Temple priests had Jeremiah beaten
and put in stocks for a day near the Temple. Again Jeremiah prayed to God:
"You have seduced me, Lord.
You have told me to proclaim a harsh message for the people. This has made me a laughing-stock.
Being your messenger has caused me insult all the day long. At one stage I even thought of not speaking
your message any more.
But then I felt a fire burning in my heart. I could not stop thinking of you. I just had to speak your message."
Lord, please increase my
love for you. Please give me more courage to speak your message to my
family, friends and people I meet
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
69-70: Save me, O God, for the waters have risen to
my neck.
I am sinking fast and can't keep afloat much longer. So many people hate me without cause.
I have no more strength to resist them. May my situation not cause anyone to lose
faith in you.
May people realize that it is for your sake that I am taunted. Taunts have broken my heart.
No one shows me any compassion. For food they give me poison.
In my thirst they give me vinegar to drink. Lord, do not hide your face from your servant.
Answer quickly for I am in distress. You are my rescuer, my help, O God.
O Lord, do not delay to help me.
O God come to our
assistance. Lord make haste to help us
Recording
Romans
5.12-21: Through one man, Adam, the virus of sin
entered the world,
and sin infected everyone with death. Through one man, Jesus, the divine anti-virus
of grace entered the world, and brought the gift of eternal life to
everyone who allows it to be installed in their heart. The divine anti-virus of grace is more
powerful than any sin virus.
Jesus, please download and install in my heart
your anti-virus program of grace
Recording
Matthew 10.17-42: Jesus said to his apostles
"Because you follow me and speak my message,
therefore you will be arrested and put in prison. But don't worry about what to say for your
defense.
What to say will be given you by the Holy Spirit. Boldly proclaim my message
and do not be afraid of persecution. Take up your cross and follow me.
Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me
is not worthy of me."
Jesus, please give me more
courage
Recording
Reflection on the above readings:
A Christian is killed every 6 minutes
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Spanish with English subtitles
--------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
107: Recording
It can be said that many problems of today's world
stem from the tendency, at times unconscious, to make the method and aims of
science and technology an epistemological paradigm which shapes the lives of
individuals and the workings of society.
The effects of imposing this model on reality as a whole, human and social, are seen in the deterioration of the environment, but this is just one sign of a reductionism which affects every aspect of human and social life.
We have to accept that technological products are not neutral, for they create a framework which ends up conditioning lifestyles and shaping social possibilities along the lines dictated by the interests of certain powerful groups.
Decisions which may seem purely instrumental are in reality decisions about the kind of society we want to build.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
109: Recording
Challenges exist to be
overcome!
Let us be realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hope-filled commitment.
Let us not allow ourselves to be
robbed of missionary vigour!
-------------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------------------
At
an O.M.I. school graduation ceremony which I attended yesterday morning, a baby
in its mother's arms stole the limelight during a recitation performance by a
group of students. Just when the students paused before making the sound of an
animal featured in the performance ....just when there was dead quiet in the
hall....the baby (who had been totally quiet up to then) let out some sounds
right on cue that had everyone smiling
--------------------------------------
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
prisoners in one part
of China each day of the month:
On this 25th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Comoros
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
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Sat
June 24
Birthday of John the Baptist: John
the Baptist -
A courageous witness of the Light
(and see
below!)
Excellent
article - has helped many people:
How
I Achieved My Cure of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Tomorrow, Sunday, 3pm, prayer meeting for healing, St Paul's
Catholic Primary School, Yau Ma Tei. Everyone welcome. Previous
photos
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Birthday of John the Baptist
Jeremiah 1:
Jeremiah lived in a village
not far from Jerusalem. Jeremiah's father was a priest. God said to Jeremiah:
"Before I formed you in
the womb, I knew you. I have
appointed you as prophet to the nations." Jeremiah said to God: "Lord,
I do not know how to speak. I am so young." God then touched Jeremiah's
mouth and said: "I now put my words into your mouth. Go and tell the people
everything I ask you to speak. Do not be dismayed by anyone. I am making you
strong. You must confront Judah's kings, priests and people. They will oppose
you, but will not overcome you, for I am with you."
Lord, please give special courage to people who speak your message for the
world
Psalm 71: In
you, O Lord, I take refuge. Please hear me and help me. Be a rock where I can
take refuge. Rescue me from people who want to hurt me. It is you, O Lord, who
are my hope. In you I have trusted since I was young. From
my mother's womb you have
been my help. My hope has always been in you. Now that I am old, please do not
forget me. Now that my strength fails, do not abandon me. Now that I am old and
grey-headed, may I continue to trust in you and proclaim your help. To
you I will sing with the harp. All day long my tongue will tell of your goodness
to me.
Lord, may all elderly people put their trust and hope in you
Recording
1
Peter 1.8-11: You did not see Jesus Christ, yet you love him; and
still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that
it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to
which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls. It was
this salvation that the prophets were looking and searching so hard for; their
prophecies were about the grace which was to come to you. The Spirit of Christ
which was in them, foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories that
would come in the future.
Jesus, foretold by prophets
like John the Baptist, we praise you Lord!
Recording
Luke 1.5-25: When
Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah and his wife
Elizabeth who were really good people, but they were childless. Once
when they went to the Temple in Jerusalem, Zechariah entered the inner sanctuary
to burn incense, while all the people prayed outside. An angel appeared
and said "Zechariah, your prayer has been heard. Your wife will have a son
and you must name him John. He will prepare the way of the Lord". Not long
after this, Elizabeth conceived, and for 5 months she kept to herself, thanking
God for taking away her humiliation at not being able to have a baby.
Jesus, please help childless couples to have a baby
Reflection on the above readings:
Video commentary - in Spanish with English subtitles
----------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
106b: Recording Men
and women have constantly intervened in nature, but for a long time this meant
being in tune with and respecting the possibilities offered by the things
themselves.
It was a matter of receiving what nature itself allowed, as if from its own hand.
Now, by contrast, we are the ones to lay our hands on things, attempting to extract everything possible from them while frequently ignoring or forgetting the reality in front of us
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
108: Recording
As I mentioned above, I have not sought to
offer a complete diagnosis, but I invite communities to
complete and enrich these perspectives on the basis of their awareness of the
challenges facing them and their neighbours.
It is my hope that, in doing so, they will realize that whenever we attempt to read the signs of the times it is helpful to listen to young people and the elderly. Both represent a source of hope for every people.
The elderly bring with them memory and
the wisdom of experience, which warns us not to foolishly repeat our past
mistakes. Young people
call us to renewed and expansive hope, for they represent new directions for
humanity and open us up to the future, lest we cling to a nostalgia for
structures and customs which are no longer life-giving in today’s world.
-------------------------------------
10
years ago today:
Marco Polo student Kau Jing & mother at HK Adventist Hospital after heart operation
------------------------------------------
For Feast of John
the Baptist:
--------------------------------------
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 prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 24th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Zambia
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
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Frid June 23
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
"Over the top" - the love in Jesus' heart (John W)
Information about two Drug Lords from India who
operated in China and recruited people inside China to take drugs to
Hong Kong, with a letter by one of their victims - here
(June 22)
-------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Readings from Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
2 Corinthians 5.14-19:
The love of Christ is
like a tsunami. It overwhelms us and sweeps us away when we remember how
Jesus died for everyone. God, through Christ, has repaired his friendship with
humanity. We must spread the news of this reconciliation.
"And when I think, that God his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I
scarce can take it in" - from song
"How Great Thou Art"
My recording of this reading
Ephesians 3.14-21: This
is what I pray, kneeling before the Father from whom every family, whether
spiritual or natural, takes it name: May he give you power through his
Spirit, for your hidden self to grow strong. May
Christ live in your hearts through faith. Planted in love and built on love, may
you continually focus on the love of Christ,
until your life is filled with that love.
Glory be to him whose power working in us, can do infinitely more than we
can ask or imagine. Glory be to him from
generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.
Amen
Recording
Matthew
11.25-30: One day Jesus prayed: Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, I am joyfully amazed at the way simple people understand and
accept what I'm saying, while proud and clever people miss the plot. And he said
to the ordinary people: Come to me, all you who are treated unfairly by unjust
religious laws. I will give you peace and justice. Learn from me, and you will
know peace, for I am gentle and humble of heart.
Jesus, please help people who are suffering from unjust religious laws
John
19.31-37: The next day was the Passover. To
prevent the bodies remaining on the crosses during the Passover, the soldiers
broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus,
they saw that he was already dead. Instead of breaking his legs,
they pierced his side with a spear.
Immediately there came out blood and water. And so
the Scriptures were fulfilled "Not one of his bones will be broken"
and "They will look on the one they have pierced".
Jesus, please help me understand how blood and water are symbols of the
Eucharist and Baptism
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
A
beautiful reflection:
The heart of Jesus and
our hearts
----------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
105b: Recording
"The risk is growing day
by day that man will not use his power as he should"; in effect,
"power is never considered in terms of the responsibility of choice which
is inherent in freedom" since its "only norms are taken from alleged
necessity, from either utility or security".
But human beings are not completely autonomous.
Our freedom fades when it is handed over to the blind forces of the unconscious, of immediate needs, of self-interest, and of violence.
In this sense, we stand naked and exposed in the face of our ever-increasing power, lacking the wherewithal to control it.
We have certain superficial mechanisms, but we cannot claim to have a sound ethics, a culture and spirituality genuinely capable of setting limits and teaching clear-minded self-restraint.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
106: Recording
Even if it is not always easy to approach young
people, progress has been made in two areas: the
awareness that the entire community is called to evangelize and educate the
young, and the urgent need for the young to exercise greater leadership.
We should recognize that despite the present crisis of commitment and communal relationships, many young people are making common cause before the problems of our world and are taking up various forms of activism and volunteer work. Some take part in the life of the Church as members of service groups and various missionary initiatives in their own dioceses and in other places.
How beautiful it is to see that young people
are "street preachers" (callejeroros de la fe), joyfully
bringing Jesus to every street, every town square and every corner of the earth!
-------------------------------------
I once heard an archbishop tell this
joke:
It's the year 2056: brain transplants
available.....man goes shopping....sees 3 brains for sale. First brain is priced
at $10,000 - brain of an engineer. Second brain is priced at $15,000 - brain of
a doctor. Third brain is priced at $20,000 - brain of a bishop. Man asks shop
keeper why bishop's brain the most expensive of the three. Shopkeeper: because
like new, rarely used
--------------------------------------
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
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 23rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Djibouti
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
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Thur June 22
Yesterday I made the long trip to Shek Pik Prison on Lantau Island....to help an inmate's legal team check much information for a case coming up in the Court of Appeal which hopefully will issue a directive to the effect that help for my anti-drug campaign is cause for some mitigation in the High Court....issuing a directive that if an inmate does something good between arrest and sentencing that can count for mitigation. Up to now, no clear guidance on this issue.
Not
sure whether to laugh or cry at this - it's a denial of reality:
HK life unchanged, future is
bright - Tung Chee-hwa
Recently when I went to recommend this inspiring book for
a friend fighting cancer, I found that the whole book is now available free
online:
Healed
of Cancer (Dodi Osteen)
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
1
Samuel 12: As the elderly Samuel handed over leadership
to Saul,
he said to all the people:
"In future it is the king who will lead you. The Lord is my witness that I have never
treated you unjustly. You must follow the Lord with all your heart.
Do not turn your back on the Lord's way.
Do not follow false ways."
Dear God, thank you for the
life of Samuel.
Please help all people to follow your way, not follow false ways
Psalm
22 (Many
things in this psalm happened to Jesus when he was put to death. This psalm prophesizes Jesus' death):
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
I call to you for help, but day and night you give no reply. I am a worm and not a man.
Everyone who sees me makes fun of me. They taunt me: "He trusted in the
Lord, why doesn't the Lord help him?" Like water I am poured out, my bones no longer
connected.
My throat is parched, my tongue sticks to my jaws. Many evil people attack me.
They make holes in my hands and my feet.
They await my death. They divide my clothing among them,
they throw a dice for my robe. Yet I know Lord, that you are good and
holy.
I know how you heard the cries of our ancestors and you helped them. It was you who took me from the womb
and entrusted me to my mother's breast.
To you I was committed from my birth,
from my mother's womb you have been my God. Lord, I trust in you even now.
I trust you will not scorn my prayer. Even now I praise you as my Creator.
May all the nations know and worship you.
Lord, please help people who
are in big trouble right now,
especially people whose lives are in danger
Recording
Philippians
1.1-9:
From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ
Jesus, to all the believers in the Church
at Philippi. We wish you the grace and peace of God our
Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God whenever I think of you. Every
time I pray for you, I pray with joy, remembering how you helped to spread
the Good News. You have a permanent place in my heart. God
knows how much I miss you. I love you as Christ Jesus loves you. My prayer is that your love for each other
will increase more and more, helping you always to know what is good and
to avoid what is bad.
Jesus, thank you for all the people
who have a permanent place in my heart
Recording
John
16.7-33: Jesus said to his disciples at the meal "I will leave you soon. After I go, I will send the New Friend to you. The New Friend will teach you all about right and wrong. The New Friend will help you know the truth about everything.
You are sad now because I am leaving you. But I will see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy. No one will be able to take that joy from you.
I have told you all these things so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.
Jesus, thank you for your peace, your joy, and your Holy Spirit
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
By coincidence today's readings from Philippians and John both speak about joy. Christians are meant to be like a deep ocean: no matter what happens on the surface, deep down their is peace ....and joy.
-------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
105a: Recording There
is a tendency to believe that every increase in power means "an increase of
'progress' itself", an advance in "security, usefulness, welfare and
vigour; an assimilation of new values into the stream of culture", as if
reality, goodness and truth automatically flow from technological and economic
power as such.
The fact is that "contemporary man has not been trained to use power well", because our immense technological development has not been accompanied by a development in human responsibility, values and conscience.
Each age tends to have only a meagre awareness of its own limitations.
It is possible that we do not grasp the gravity of the challenges now before us.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
105: Recording
Youth ministry, as traditionally organized, has also
suffered the impact of social changes.
Young people often fail to find responses to their concerns, needs, problems and hurts in the usual structures.
As adults, we find it hard to listen patiently to them, to appreciate their concerns and demands, and to speak to them in a language they can understand.
For the same reason, our efforts in the field of education do not produce the results expected.
The rise and growth of associations and movements mostly made up of young people can be seen as the work of the Holy Spirit, who blazes new trails to meet their expectations and their search for a deep spirituality and a more real sense of belonging.
There remains a
need, however, to ensure that these associations actively participate in the
Church's overall pastoral efforts
-------------------------------------
10 years ago today:
Anna and group from HK; outdoor singing at Marco Polo; Conor's final English Corner
------------------------------------------
I was tired last night after a long trip to Shek Pik
Prison on Lantau Island yesterday, but I sure came back to life when I saw this:
Queensland rediscovers the magic in stunning
comeback win
(I'm from Brisbane...which is in Qld) ...check the one minute video...
--------------------------------------
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, Thursday,
please bless the people of
South East Asia
And
praying for prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 22nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Rwanda
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday,
please pacify Al-Qaeda
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed June 21
Same-sex marriage ....where does it lead?
THREE
gay men say they have gained legal recognition as the first "polyamorous
family" in Colombia, where same-sex marriages were legalised last year
Proof yet again that in
HK the big guys always win
My experience yesterday at High Court - see
, below.
--------------------------------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
The root of the word 'care' is 'to grieve, to experience sorrow, to cry out with'
-------------------------------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1 Samuel 11:
The people of Jabesh-gilead told Saul
that the Ammonites were threatening them. The spirit of the Lord stirred up Saul
and he led the Israelites to a great victory over the Ammonites. Samuel and all the people then went to Gilgal
where Saul was again proclaimed king.
Dear Lord, may your Spirit stir
us up to do good things
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
20-21: May the Lord protect and help you,
may he give you your heart's desire
and fulfil every one of your plans. Some trust in chariots or horses,
but we trust in the Lord.
Lord, may our plans and hopes
be acceptable to you.
Please bless our plans
Ephesians
6.18-24: Pray all the time, asking for what you need.
Pray in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never tire of praying.
Pray for me that I may proclaim the Good News boldly. Grace and eternal life to everyone who loves
our Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus, help me to put Paul's teaching into
practice in my life
Recording
John
15.18 - 16.01:
At the meal, Jesus said to his disciples
"If you belonged to the world, the world would be friendly to you.
But because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world is
unfriendly to you. Just as I am hated and persecuted, so you also
will be hated and persecuted. As the Scripture says 'They hated me
for no reason'. I am telling you these things now, so that when they happen, your
faith will not be shaken.
Jesus, if people are
unfriendly because I am a Christian, please give me strength and courage
Recording
Reflection
on the above readings:
Fire
reacts to water. Evil reacts to good....or as St Paul says "the Spirit of
God in you causes a reaction" (sometimes even by good people!)
-------------------------------------------------------
Pope's
letter on climate change: Laudato Si 我主應受讚美
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
104: Recording Yet
it must also be recognized that nuclear energy, biotechnology, information
technology, knowledge of our DNA, and many other abilities which we have
acquired, have given us tremendous power.
More precisely, they have given those with the knowledge, and especially the economic resources to use them, an impressive dominance over the whole of humanity and the entire world.
Never has humanity had such power over itself, yet nothing ensures that it will be used wisely, particularly when we consider how it is currently being used.
We need but think of the nuclear bombs dropped in the middle of the twentieth century, or the array of technology which Nazism, Communism and other totalitarian regimes have employed to kill millions of people, to say nothing of the increasingly deadly arsenal of weapons available for modern warfare.
In whose hands does all this power lie, or will it eventually end up? It is extremely risky for a small part of humanity to have it.
------------------------------------
Pope Francis: The
Joy of the Gospel
Full
English text Full
Chinese text
103: Recording
The Church acknowledges the
indispensable contribution which women make to society through the sensitivity,
intuition and other distinctive skill sets which they, more than men, tend to
possess.
I think, for example, of the special concern which women show to others, which finds a particular, even if not exclusive, expression in motherhood.
I readily acknowledge that many women share pastoral responsibilities with priests, helping to guide people, families and groups and offering new contributions to theological reflection.
But we need to create still broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church.
Because "the feminine genius is needed in all expressions in the life of society, the presence of women must also be guaranteed in the workplace" and in the various other settings where important decisions are made, both in the Church and in social structures.
-------------------------------------
Yesterday
I went
to the High Court to support a woman from South America due to be sentenced for
drug trafficking, but her legal team decided not to give my support letter to
the anti-campaign judge (..the only one who now does not give discounts to
people who have helped my anti-drug campaign) ...and the legal team even
advised me not to be in court so as not to agitate the good lady (who reacts to
my presence...such is her dislike for my campaign). I duly left the High Court
and walked to the nearby Catholic Centre in Central where I spent time (while
the case was on) at the Court of Heaven ...asking help of the Judge of the
Earth!
--------------------------------------
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
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 21st
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners 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 Benin
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
---------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Please also join me in praying for the very many deformed and handicapped people from China who are on the streets of HK as beggars...as well as deformed people in China itself ...like Hung Chun Cai
My Africa trips:
2015: Tanzania, Malawi
2016:
Kenya, Uganda
2017:
Southern Africa, Dubai
--------------------
Gay marriage: an elephant in the room (by John W)
Video: What "gay marriage" did to Massachusetts
Frightening
YouTube reports:
LGBT radical impact
on educational institutions (No.
5); LGBT
infiltrating churches
(No. 6); US corporations massively
supporting LGBT agenda (No. 7). What
has happened in the US is now starting to happen in other places. Some
day our children will ask "why didn't you do more to stop this evil?"
--------------------------------------------
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
prison inmates: 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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頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
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