V2Catholic.com
A voice for the poor
by HK prison chaplain 胡頌恆神父
Fr John Wotherspoon
O.M.I.
jdwomi@gmail.com
+852 67095674
Imitating
Pope Francis 78
Thu Oct 29
All
3 people in the drug trafficking case mentioned in yesterday's blog, below,
received long sentences at the High Court yesterday ...each got around 12 years
(after reduction for good behaviour). May the Good Lord give them strength and
courage for the long days ahead.
148. Since the emergence of her Social Doctrine, beginning with Rerum Novarum, the Church has emphasized the protection of workers and the need to combat all forms of exploitation. Above all, however, the Magisterium has recognized in work “the essential key” [150] to understanding the entire social question, since it is through their work that individuals develop many dimensions of their existence. In view of this, we can understand the great intuition of Saint Benedict of Nursia, who united prayer and work, showing daily activity to be a part of the human response to God’s call. Created in the image of the Creator, our own work in some way continues his, for thereby we contribute to the progress of society and the common good, put to good use the capabilities we have received, improve and beautify the world, support our families, engage in cooperative relationships and, through listening and dialogue, learn to build together something that no one could achieve alone.
-------------------------
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
Recording
Psalms 52 - 60: Lord, I will tell everyone about how good you
are.
You are our Creator. Everyone should love you. Thank you for so often rescuing me from
trouble.
You uphold my life. Sometimes I have so many troubles and cares
that I can't get to sleep.
Sometimes I wish I was a bird and could fly away to a safe place. When I fear, I will trust in you,
in you whose word I praise. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise.
Each morning I will sing of your strength,
and each morning acclaim your love.
O God, please help me to praise
and love you every day
Recording
1 Corinthians 15.1-8: Let me remind you of
the basic facts of the
Good News:
Christ died for our sins. He was buried.
He was raised to life on the third day. He appeared to Peter, then to the other
apostles, then to more than 500 of the believers - most of whom are still
alive. Then he appeared to James and the other disciples. Last of all he appeared to me. I was like an
unexpected child
Jesus, I have not yet seen you, but I believe
in you and I love you
Listen
Matthew 6.1-15: Jesus said to the crowds:
When you do a good deed,
do it for its own sake, not just to get people to praise you. When you pray, love to pray in private in your
heart.
Don't be looking for people to notice and praise you. When you pray, there's no need to rave on and
on.
God is not deaf. Prayer is not a lawyer arguing a case.
Prayer is a child speaking with simple trust like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may everyone love and honor you.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Thank you for enough food for today.
Forgive us as we forgive others.
Save us in time of trial.
Protect us from evil
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Prayer is not meant to be a sermon or lecture
---------------
Yesterday I had my 6 monthly check up and cleaning at the dentist
... Dr Charles Li in Jordan, whom I most highly recommend. His number: 27810008
--------------------
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 the people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 29th 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Oct 28
Yesterday I was at Tai Lam women's prison from 9am to 5.30pm
...spending half an hour at one stage with an elderly lady convicted 7:0 by a
High Jury two days ago. Then I went to Lai Chi Kok men's prison for a visit to
an elderly man likewise convicted on the same charge of drug trafficking. Both
of them had been my surety cases for the past 3 years. Today they are due to be
sentenced. I am hoping and praying for an unexpected miracle!
147. The Church’s Social Doctrine invites families, schools, Christian communities and public institutions to form a renewed educational alliance. This takes shape when fundamental principles are translated into educational goals, including teaching students a sense of moderation and limits; recognition of the rights of others and of future generations to enjoy the goods that are either provided for us or made available by human ingenuity; freedom and responsibility; and a sense of transcendence and the common good. Schools are not called to follow the pace of the digital world, but to offer that which the digital sphere by itself cannot provide, namely a shared time for learning and developing trustworthy relationships.
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1 Samuel 9 & 10: Among the men of the tribe of Benjamin
there was a very tall and very handsome man named Saul. Once when he went in search of his father's
stray donkeys,
he met up with Samuel. The Lord had told Samuel that he would meet
Saul,
and that he should be anointed as king. And so Samuel took some oil and poured it on
Saul's head.
He told Saul that the Lord had chosen him to be king. Samuel presented Saul to the people.
The people acclaimed Saul saying "Long live the king!"
Dear Lord, please protect and
guide all people in authority
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
51: Have mercy on me, God, in your
kindness,
and cleanse me of my sin. My offences truly I know them.
What is evil in your sight I have done. But in my defence please don't forget that
sinfulness is part of the human condition, part of our DNA. A pure heart create for me, O God.
Put a steadfast spirit within me. Give me again the joy of your help.
With a spirit of fervor sustain me.
Lord, you will not spurn
a humbled, contrite heart
Listen
1
Corinthians 13.1-13: If I am the most brilliant speaker, but don't
have love, I am just a gong booming. If I understand all mysteries, and if I have a faith that will move mountains, but don't
have love, I am nothing . Love is always patient and kind. It is never
jealous, never boastful, never conceited, never rude or selfish. Love does not take offence. It's not
resentful. Love delights in the truth. Love is always ready to excuse, to trust, to
hope and to endure whatever comes. Love is virtue Number One, greater than
faith or hope
Jesus, please help me love like you
Listen
John 14.22-24 (for Feast of Saints Simon and Jude): Judas - this was not Judas Iscariot - said to Jesus: "Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus replied: "If you love me, you will put my words into practice, and my Father will love you, and we shall make our home in your heart"
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Saints Simon and Jude
---------------------------
On the way to Tai Lam prison yesterday morning I went to
check my phone, but no phone ...I had forgotten to take it. And when I got back
home last night and checked the phone there was a message from Heaven ...so to
speak ..."the world did not collapse or end when you went for one day
without a phone"!
-------------------------
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 the
people in one
part of China 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, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Oct 27
Yesterday afternoon a High Court jury by 7:0 convicted three
people involved in a drug trafficking case, two of them were among my bail cases
for the past 3 years. Sentence will be announced tomorrow. Everyone, including
legal teams, in state of shock. Jesus please give the three people extra courage
for the days ahead.
146. The third major challenge is intellectual and concerns knowledge. Without careful attention, an educational system lacking in a love for truth may emerge, in which an incessant flow of information replaces the essential exercise of research, reflection and discernment. As knowledge becomes increasingly fragmented, it becomes difficult to grasp reality as a whole, to ask profound questions about meaning, or to develop authentic, critical and creative thought. Many educators already report signs of dehumanization, where people may “know many things” but struggle to find direction in their lives, partly due to an inability to connect information with deeper knowledge or maintain a sense of purpose. A genuinely healthy attitude is needed, requiring rhythms that incorporate silence, in-depth study, reading and judicious analysis, for without these elements inner freedom may be compromised.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Samuel 8: When Samuel grew old, the people asked him to
find someone
to be their king. Samuel was not happy that the people asked for
a king.
Samuel also warned the people that a king would impose taxes
and have many rights over them. But the people insisted on having a king.
The Lord then told Samuel to give the people a king.
Dear God, you are our only true
King
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
49 & 50: I will turn my mind to a parable,
with the harp I will solve a problem. The problem is: why do bad people prosper and
succeed? The answer: at the end of their lives bad
people will have to face death and judgement, just like everyone else. When we are rich, we often lack wisdom.
Wealth blinds our minds and hearts. Let's not
forget God and his laws.
Let's try to be good and lead good lives
Lord, please help me understand
the meaning of life
Listen
1
Corinthians 12.12-30: A human body is made of many parts: arms,
legs, muscles, eyes etc.
Every part is important and needed for the body to be healthy. The church is like a
body. We are the body's
members. Some of us are apostles, some prophets, some teachers etc. The members of the church must care about
every member of the church. Everyone is important. The spiritual health of
each member affects the health of the whole body
Jesus, help me understand how your church is
like a human body
Listen
Matthew
5.13-48:
Jesus said to the crowds:
You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, it's no use for anything. You are the light of
the world.
Let the world see your light, your good deeds.
When people see you doing good deeds,
people will praise God. I have not come to
abolish the Jewish religion.
I have come to raise it to a higher level of goodness. Your goodness must not
just be something superficial.
Your goodness must be something from the heart. You must avoid anger
and insult, just like you avoid murder.
If you have offended someone, say "Sorry". You must avoid lustful
looks and thoughts.
Looking at someone lustfully is immorality of the heart. Love and pray for
people who are unkind to you.
This is the way to practise the highest level of goodness. Jesus,
please help me
practise a higher level of goodness
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Many
parents often say/said to their children: "Be good"!
------------------------------
Today and tomorrow I'm due to visit a prison. Will be a
fast week!
-------------------------------
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 the
people in one
part of China 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Oct 26
Beethoven's
Ode to Joy was
put with words from yesterday's Gospel for a special song at my English Mass
yesterday:
YOU MUST LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND MIND AND STRENGTH.
AND YOU MUST CARE FOR YOUR NEIGHBOUR
JUST AS YOU CARE FOR YOURSELF.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Gaza
fears Israel election
145. The second major challenge is pedagogical. Many educational systems struggle to keep pace with change and to support the integral development of students. The advance of information technologies and AI is rapidly rendering curricula obsolete that were designed for a different era. Meanwhile, the organization of schools, physical spaces, evaluation methods and the role of teachers themselves must be rethought in order to promote an authentically integral education that addresses every dimension of the person. It is necessary to support the ongoing formation of teachers throughout their professional lives, so that they can engage positively with new technologies, helping students to use them responsibly, critically and creatively, rather than passively succumbing to their influence.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Samuel 7:
The Sacred Chest was taken from the town of
Beth-shemesh
to the town of Kiriath-jearim, to the house of Abinadab,
whose son Eleazar was consecrated to guard the Chest. After 20 more years, the Israelites again
longed for freedom from the Philistines. Samuel gathered all the Israelites at
Mizpah,
where after prayer,
battle was joined with the Philistines who were defeated. The Philistines no longer came into Israelite
territory.
Samuel was judge over all Israel for the rest of his life.
During Samuel's time, the Philistines no longer troubled Israel.
There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. Each year Samuel went on circuit around the
country
to judge cases of law. He would then return to his home town of Ramah
and continue his work as a judge from there.
Dear God, please give the world
more leaders like Samuel
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
47 & 48: All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with
shouts of joy.
For the Lord, our Creator, we must love and honor,
great king over all the earth. Especially in his holy city is the Lord worthy
to be praised.
Praise is fitting in Mount Sion, our earth's most sacred site. O God, as we pray in your temple,
our hearts meditate on your love. May peoples and rulers everywhere
acknowledge and love you as Creator of the Universe
Let all the peoples praise you, Lord. Let all the peoples praise you
Listen
1
Corinthians 12.4-10: The Holy Spirit gives us many different gifts.
Some people have the gift of wise preaching.
Some people have the gift of an extra strong faith.
Some people have the gift of healing sick people.
Some people have other gifts like the power of miracles, prophecy, recognizing spirits, and the ability to speak in tongues
Holy Spirit, please increase your influence in
my life.
Please give me the gift of (..name...)
Listen
Matthew
5.1-12: Jesus said to the crowds:
Blessed are poor and simple of heart
people.
They belong to the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are people who are going through great
sorrow.
Their hearts will be filled with peace. Blessed are people who
lead just and honest lives.
They will see the victory of goodness. Blessed are people who show mercy to others.
God will be merciful to them. Blessed are people who have a clean
heart.
They will see God. Blessed are people who are
peacemakers.
They are God's children.
Blessed are people who are persecuted for the cause of right.
They will receive a great reward in heaven.
Jesus, please help me be
merciful and kind and just
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: 
A lovely song: The
Beatitudes
-------------------------
To help me start going and keep going at office work yesterday
afternoon I again used Beethoven.
--------------------
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 the people in one
part of China 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Oct 25
My chat with Dr
Angel Ho about her voluntary help for needy people at MercyHK's Nathan Road
centre in Yau Ma Tei
144. The first challenge is socio-political. Both within individual nations and across different regions of the world, significant inequalities persist concerning access to basic education and higher studies. In many nations, Governments have not yet invested the necessary resources for guaranteeing a quality education for all, whether by adequately supporting the public school system or by assisting private institutions that offer this essential service. When a substantial portion of education, at various levels, is entrusted to private institutions, access to schooling may become overly dependent on families’ financial means, especially in the absence of adequate public support. In the face of this risk, it is nevertheless important to acknowledge and encourage the contribution of the many private Catholic educational institutions which ensure inclusive access for children and young people of every background, even when families’ economic circumstances would not otherwise allow it.
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 30
Exodus 22: Laws
announced by Moses: Do not discriminate against foreigners, for you yourselves
were foreigners in Egypt. Do
not be harsh to widows and orphans. Do not demand interest if you make a
loan to a poor person. Always remember you are a people consecrated to
God."
Dear God, please help us not to hurt other people
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
17-18: Lord, when trouble
breaks out on every side, please protect and help me. For
you are my strength, my rock, my fortress, my savior. I love you, Lord
who save me because you love me. Lord, you are my lamp who lightens my life. I
will praise you among the nations.
Lord, you are worthy of all praise
Listen
1
Thessalonians 1.1-6: From
Paul, Silvanus and Timothy to the Church of God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ in Thessalonika. Wishing you grace and peace. In my prayers for you, I
thank God our Father for your faith in
action, your work for love,
and your persevering hope. When
we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not just as words, but as power
from the Holy Spirit. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, you accepted the Good
News, despite great opposition from many quarters
Jesus, help people accept the Good News, despite opposition
Listen
Mathew
22.34-40: In Jerusalem a
religious leader asked Jesus "Which is the most important
commandment?" Jesus replied "You
must love the Lord your God with all your heart. And you must care as much about
others as you care about yourself. These are the two most important
commandments. All other commandments depend on these two."
Jesus, please help me love you with all my heart and care for others as much as
I care about myself
Listen
Reflection on the above readings:
The more we try to love God and care for others, the better our lives, our families, our nations, our world ...goes/go. Inasmuch as we fail to love God and care for others, the worse everything goes
-------------------------------
This
is the time of year ... Australian Summer ...when Australian football is on
holidays .... and weekends without football are lacking vitality!?!
------------------------------
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 the
people in one part
of China each day of the month:
On this 25th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ningxia
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Lesotho
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Oct 24
Yesterday I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison from 10am to 5pm ...
sad as usual to meet so many new people arrested for drug trafficking and money
laundering ....including many men from the Mainland .. and two guys from UK, not
related but with the same surname! And see 
below!
143. School is the place where new generations can learn to seek and love the truth, to reflect on the meaning of life and to recognize the dignity of every person. For this reason, many parents, who want their children to grow in the capacity to form relationships, develop critical thinking skills and embrace solid values, place great expectations on schools as valuable partners in their children’s education. Yet parents have the primary and inalienable right to choose the kind of education and formation for their children, in a manner consistent with their moral, cultural and religious convictions. Today, the world of education faces a number of urgent challenges.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Samuel 6: The Sacred Chest of the Lord was in Philistine
territory for 7 months. Then the Philistines put the Chest on a cart
pulled by 2 milch cows.
The cows went straight to the Israelite town of Beth-shemesh,
without anyone leading them. The people of Beth-shemesh were overjoyed to
see the Sacred Chest.
Dear Lord, thank you
for the joy in our hearts
which comes from friendship with you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
46: God is for us a refuge and strength,
in time of distress he is a helper close at hand. Therefore we shall not fear even though the
earth should rock,
even though the mountains fall into the sea. The Lord of hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come and consider the works of the Lord
and always remember his words: "Be still and know that I am God".
Lord, help us to be more aware
of your presence,
especially when we are in trouble
Listen
1
Corinthians 11.20-26:
Concerning the Lord's Supper, this is what I
received from the Lord and then taught you: On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus
took some bread, broke it and said "This is my
body which will be
broken for you". After supper he took a cup and said "This
cup is the new covenant in my blood. Each time you drink this cup, drink
it in memory of me". Until the Lord comes, therefore, each time you
eat this bread and drink this cup, you re-enact the death of the Lord
Jesus, help me understand how bread and
wine become your body and blood when Christians celebrate the Eucharist
Listen
Luke
6.12-16: Jesus went to the hills to pray. He spent a
whole night praying.
In the morning he called all his disciples together. He chose 12 of them
and called them "apostles": Peter and his brother Andrew, James, John,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon, Judas
son of James - and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor. Jesus and the 12 came down from the hill to a
place of level ground.
Gathered there were his many disciples and a large crowd of people from
all over the country who had come to hear him and to be healed of
diseases. People in the crowd tried to touch Jesus
because power came out of him that cured everyone
Jesus, please bless modern day apostles who
pray for the sick to be healed
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Business appraisal of the 12 apostles chosen by Jesus!
---------------------------
Overseas relative of prisoner in HK recently asked someone in HK
to help the prisoner buy e-cigarettes ...not realising that E-cigs are
illegal in HK and possession of them means prison!
------------------------------
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 the 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 Djibuti
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Oct 23
Yesterday morning during
breakfast, as
preparation for my visit to Lebanon after Christmas, I watched this
most informative video about the history of Lebanon
Photos
of hike on 19/10 to Big Wave Bay, near Sai Kung ***
Photo of birthday lunch for
MercyHK's Shirley Lee (20/10)
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israel
using US-made torture weapons
142. It is difficult for parents by themselves to resist the influence of business models that monetize attention and time. Therefore, it is essential to form an alliance among policy-makers, educational institutions and families that is capable of concretely supporting adults in this task. Far-sighted public policies are needed to oppose the immediate interests of platforms, concentrated in a few hands, when they conflict with the wellbeing of minors. In this regard, interventions by legislators are appropriate for setting age limits, holding service providers accountable rather than shifting the whole burden of control onto families, and for providing specific protections against all forms of online sexual exploitation and violence. Thus can children and adolescents, who are entrusted to our care, be genuinely protected as a precious treasure. [148] At the same time, it is also necessary to teach children, adolescents and young people how to recognize manipulation, defend their dignity and respect that of others in digital environments. [149]
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
1 Samuel 5: The Philistines took the captured Sacred Chest
to the shrine of Dagon in one of their towns. Next morning, they found the statue of Dagon
on its face on the ground, in front of the Sacred Chest. They picked Dagon up and put him back in his
place.
But next morning he was down again,
with his head and hands cut off from the rest of his body. While the Sacred Chest was in the Philistine
town,
the people there were struck with tumors and many people died. The people told their leaders to take the
Sacred Chest
back to Israel where it belonged.
Dear God, please help everyone
know
that there is no other God but you
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
42-45: Like a deer that longs for running streams,
so my soul is longing for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for you, the God of my
life.
I think of you all the time, here in my land of exile. People make fun of us here in exile.
They taunt us saying "Where is your God?" Yet no matter what happens we will hope in you,
for you are our saviour and our God. No
matter where we are or what happens to us,
our hearts will long for you, like a bride longing for her groom.
Lord, no matter what happens,
may I always hope in you
Listen
1
Corinthians 10.16 - 11.1:
The cup that we bless is a communion with the
blood of Christ.
The bread that we break is a communion with the body of Christ. Avoid anything to do with idol
worship.
It doesn't make sense to share in the table of the Lord and in the table
of demons. Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever
you do at all,
do it for the glory of God. Never do anything offensive to anyone. Try to
be helpful to everyone at all times, not anxious for your own advantage,
but for the advantage of others, so that they may be saved. Take me for your model, as I take Christ
Jesus, please help me imitate you in my daily
life
Listen
Luke
6.6-11: On another Sabbath Jesus visited a prayer hall.
A man with a withered hand was in the prayer hall. Some religious leaders were watching to see if
Jesus would heal the man (since no work was allowed on the Sabbath, and
they regarded healing as work). Jesus knew what they were thinking, so
he said to the man with the withered hand "Stand up! Come out into
the middle of the hall".
He came out and stood there. Jesus then asked the leaders
"Is it against the law on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil; to
save life or to destroy it?" Then he said to the man with the withered hand
"Stretch out your hand". He stretched it out. It was healed.
The leaders were very angry. They
left the prayer hall
and began plotting how to get rid of Jesus
Jesus, please stop bad religious leaders from
misleading people
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Jesus can heal withered limbs and withered minds
-------------------------
To go with stretching out hand, in Gospel! A few days ago I
saw a driver use a "long hand" ... a pole (which can become compact),
containing an Octopus card ... to extend to a parking area machine
....since machine was too far to reach from inside the card. My first time to
see this!
-------------------------
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 the
people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 23rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guangxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Togo
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Oct 22
Yesterday afternoon I went with several MercyHK staff members to Tsang
Tsui Columbarium for the internment of a street sleeper's ashes .... and to
visit the special places of 7 other street sleepers and drug addicts for whose
funeral services MercyHK was sponsor.
My birthday party photos from Oct 16 *** 2019 photos *** 2017 *** 2025
World
must cut emissions by 18% in 4 years
80
people murdered by Sudan army drone attack on market
141. In recent years, psychological and psychiatric literature has documented with growing insistence how early and unsupervised exposure to digital devices and social media can negatively impact sleep, attention span, control of emotions and relationships, especially during the most vulnerable stages of life, at times with tragic consequences. This is further aggravated by easy access to violent or degrading content that offends sensibility, to pornographic and hypersexualized material, to messages that trivialize the body and emotions, and to proposals that normalize risky behavior. Online phenomena such as grooming, blackmail and the sexual exploitation of minors are not uncommon, and are made more insidious by the use of fake profiles, algorithms that facilitate dangerous contact, and AI tools capable of manipulating images and videos. Having a personal mobile device at too early an age and using it without adult supervision can exacerbate young people’s vulnerabilities, foster addiction and expose them to isolation, bullying and cyberbullying, as well as to pressures to share intimate images or sensitive information.
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
1 Samuel 4: Around this time, the Philistines defeated the
Israelites in a battle. The Israelites then went to Shiloh
and took the Sacred Chest of the Lord. They took the Sacred Chest into battle with
them
but the Chest was captured by the Philistines. In the same battle, Eli's two sons were
killed.
When Eli heard that his sons were dead
and that the Sacred Chest had been captured,
he fell backwards off his seat, his neck was broken, and he died.
Dear God, please don't let me
cause unhappiness for my family
Recording
Psalm 41: Blessed the person who helps the poor and the
weak.
He himself will be helped by the Lord when he is sick and in trouble. The Lord will help him on his bed of pain.
The Lord will bring him back from sickness to health.
Lord, please help me to do more
for the poor
Recording
1 Corinthians 9.12-27: I put up with anything, rather than obstruct
the Good News of Christ in any way. I make myself all things to all people, in
order to save some. All the runners at the stadium are trying to
win, but only one of them gets the prize. You must run in the same way,
meaning to win the gold medal of eternal life. That is how I run, intent on winning.
Therefore I try to stay in top condition, avoiding sloppy living
Jesus, may I run a good race till my last day
Listen
Luke 6.1-5: One Sabbath day Jesus and his disciples were walking through a
cornfield. The disciples were hungry. They picked some ears of corn
and ate them. Picking corn on the Sabbath was regarded as unlawful by the
Pharisees.
So the Pharisees said to Jesus "Your disciples are
breaking the Sabbath law". Jesus replied "Don't you remember what King David and his
followers once did when they were hungry? They ate the Temple bread which
only the priests were allowed to eat.
I am Master of the Sabbath"
Jesus, please help me understand that love is more important than law
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Only God is Master of the Sabbath, therefore Jesus is claiming to be God by saying he is Master of the Sabbath
---------------
Anyone
who thinks HK is a small place should try making the trip to Tsang Tsui
Columbarium ... it's a long way from Temple Street in Jordan!
--------------------
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 the people in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 22ndth 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 22nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Senegal
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
-----------------------
----------------------
----------------------------
Anti-drug
campaign trips: 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 ( 2016:
My trip to Kenya, Uganda
---------------- 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 2018-07-29:
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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasmulas/ Facebook: Chinese
no more mules page http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm ---------------------- --------------------- --------------------- Left
click this table of flags for details of hits on this main page This website
was launched in construction mode in Hong Kong on November
20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ the King. The
official launching was held on
the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20, 2012. Map and Flag Counter
began Feb 11, 2012. Previous visits 4,932. Note: counter on this
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This site's 2017 statistics.
Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and
bloggers! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .
Europe:
Many reports of 2026 trip here
(Jan 6 - Feb 7)
Africa: 
The
Last Run)
2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi
Latin America:
2018-09-22:
My
60 min video interview with Radio99,
in Cantonese, is here: 01 02
to help stop people going to prison
(skillfully
managed by kind HK friends):
Photos
from my time in China 2001-20008
Table shows location of readers:
HK 33%; Australia 19%; UK 11%; US
12%; Canada 4% ; Tanzania 4%
Fr
John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com HK
mobile +852- 67095674
