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
Sun Nov 15
World Day of Poor - Pope's
special message for today
One person putting words of Pope into
practice - "spend time with the poor and
listen to them" - is MercyHK's Shirley Lee. May her photos and her
reflections here
give us motivation to do more for the poor!
Pope's
AI letter ***
Pope
in his former diocese in Peru
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 33
Malachy 3.19-20: The day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. The day that is coming is going to burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, leaving them neither root nor stalk. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.
Psalm
98: Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders. His right hand has brought salvation. The Lord has
made known his salvation. He has shown his justice to the nations. He has
remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. All the ends of the
earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring
out your joy. Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music.
Let the sea, the world and all peoples acclaim the King, the Lord. Let the
rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the
Lord, for he comes to rule the earth. He
will rule the world with justice and the peoples with
fairness.
Lord, may all peoples in all countries know your love and goodness
Listen
2
Thessalonians 3.10-16: We
gave you a rule when we were with you: not to let anyone have any food if he
refused to do any work. Yet we hear that some of you are living in idleness, doing
no work themselves but interfering with everyone else's work. In the Lord
Jesus Christ, we order and call on such people to go on quietly working and
earning the food that they eat. Never grow tired of doing what is right. May the
Lord of peace give you peace always and everywhere
Jesus, don't let me interfere in other people's business
Listen
Luke
21.3-38: Jesus said to his
disciples that Jerusalem would be destroyed and its people scattered throughout
the world. He also spoke of how his followers would be persecuted, and of
the end of the world: "The planets will be shaken, nations will be in
agony, bewildered by the force of the oceans. Then they will see me coming
in a cloud with great power and glory. To
prepare for your own end of earthly life, stay faithful to prayer and goodness.
Don't let your heart be coarsened by debauchery, drunkenness and material
cares". In this his final week on earth, Jesus spent the daytime in the
Temple, teaching. From early morning the people would gather round him to listen
to him. Then he would spend the night on the Mount of Olives.
Jesus, help me be faithful to prayer and goodness
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: The more problems our society has, the more important it is to redouble our efforts to stay faithful to prayer and goodness
-------------------------------
For
many better off people, every day is World Day of the Pour (wine and other
alcohol)
------------------------------
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 15th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Lioaning
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Liberia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Nov 14
Yesterday morning, with colleagues John, Olivia and Bernard, I
attended a meeting with a representative of a European consulate to discuss the
issue of drug mules from Europe coming to HK
In the afternoon I went to the government Birth Registry in Tsim Sha Tsui to
obtain a birth certificate of a baby born to an overseas prisoner ... so that
the prisoner can arrange, with the help of MercyHK, for the baby to be taken
back to the mother's country for family to look after.
Pope's
AI letter ***
Pope
in Peru
164. In practical terms, in the age of AI and robotics, ensuring that the economy favors human dignity means adopting certain criteria for firm action. First, transparency and accountability: when data and algorithms influence credit distribution, personnel selection or access to services and opportunities, it is necessary that decisions be understandable, contestable and subject to oversight, so that individuals are not reduced to mere profiles. Second, inclusion and access: the benefits of innovation must be paired with investments in skills, infrastructure and essential services to ensure that technology does not widen the gap between those who have and those who have not. Finally, measures to ensure equity: taxation, social protection and industrial policies must correct the imbalances created by the concentration of wealth and power. Indeed, these criteria do not constitute a curb on innovation; instead they make it civilized and humane.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
2
Samuel 8 & 9: Wherever David went, the Lord gave him success
and victory. David showed kindness to Saul's family. Meribbaal, son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul
was crippled in both feet.
David restored Saul's property to Meribbaal
and arranged for Meribbaal to eat at the royal table each day.
Lord, help us show kindness to
people who treat us badly
Psalm
86: Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer
for I am poor and needy.
O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of love to all who call to you. All the nations shall come to adore you
and glorify your name, O Lord,
you who alone are God. Show me, Lord, your way, and guide my heart
so that I may walk in your truth. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my
heart
for your love to me has been great. O give your strength to your servant
and save your handmaid's son.
Dear Lord, thank you for
all your
love
Listen
Galatians
1.11-24: The Good News I preach is not a human message.
It is something I received from Jesus Christ. I used to persecute the church, but then God
called me to follow Jesus. I am a one-time persecutor who is now
preaching the faith I had previously tried to destroy. When I visited Jerusalem three years after my
conversion, the believers gave glory to God for what he had done for me
Jesus, please turn more persecutors into
preachers!
Listen
John
3.25-36: Some of John the Baptist's disciples told
John that many of his disciples were leaving him and following Jesus. John replied "I am not the Christ. I am
the one who was sent to prepare his way. The bride is only for the
bridegroom. But the bridegroom's friend is happy when he hears the
bridegroom's voice. This is the happiness I now feel.
He must become more and more important.
I must become less and less important. Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal
life. But anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will not have eternal
life"
Jesus, be more and more important
in my life
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: He must become greater, I must become less - 4 lessons from John the Baptist
---------------------------
Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised that the whole
procedure of obtaining a baby's birth certificate took less than an hour .... HK
is still one of the most efficient places on the planet!
------------------------------
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 14th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Jilin
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 14th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea
Bissau
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Nov 13
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israel attack on Gaza hospital kills surgeon and 5 others. SHAME, ISRAEL,
FOR THIS BARBARISM. SHAME, USA, FOR ENABLING ISRAEL. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!
Pope's
AI letter *** Pope with
prisoners in Argentina
163. More than ever, in the age of AI and robotics, it is no longer possible to rely solely on the “invisible hand” of the market. [164] Politics has the task of orientating economies and technologies to the common good, promoting dignified work, social inclusion and an equitable distribution of the benefits of innovation. Since many economic decisions transcend national borders, there is also a need for international cooperation capable of defining common strategies, especially in favor of the most vulnerable countries and people, in order to promote development and overcome welfare dependency. The thinking behind these choices is the immeasurable dignity of every person, the common good and a world truly governed for everyone. The interdependence between peace and development, as Saint Paul VI prophetically wrote in 1967, [165] remains applicable today, for prosperity contributes to building and reinforcing peace only if it is widespread, inclusive and sustainable.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
2 Samuel 7:
After David settled into his palace and the
land enjoyed peace,
David thought about building a temple for the Lord.
Then through the prophet Nathan the Lord told David:
" I will establish your dynasty for ever.
But it will be your son, not yourself,
who will build a temple for me."
David praised God:
"Who am I, Lord, and what is my House,
that you have helped me so much
and promised me so much?
May my House continue in your presence for
ever.
May you bless my House forever."
Dear God, please bless everyone
in my family tree,
past, present and future
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
85: I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace.
Peace for his people and his friends
and those who turn to him in their hearts. His help is near for those who love him
and his glory will dwell in our land.
Mercy and faithfulness have met.
Justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice shall look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps
Lord, please give more peace to
our world
Listen
Galatians
1.1-7: To the church of
Galatia, from Paul, an apostle appointed not by man but by
Jesus Christ. Trouble makers among
you have changed the Good News. I am astonished that
you have begun following their false version
of the Good News
Jesus, don't let people
be deceived by anyone who waters down or changes your Good News
Listen
John
3.13-17: Jesus said to the religious leader:
"The Son of Man must be lifted up on a cross, as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so that everyone who
believes may have eternal life in him".
God loved the world so much, that he gave his
only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost, but may
have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved
Jesus, only Son of God the Father, thank you
for coming into this world. Please help more and more people believe in
you
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: May we become increasingly aware of how much God loves us!
-------------------------
-------------------------
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 13th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Jiangxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 13th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Congo
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Nov 12
My
video about Corruption
at London's Heathrow Airport
Kenyan
woman sentenced to 100 lashes for giving birth out of marriage in barbaric Saudi
Arabia
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Terrible
conditions in storm-hit Gaza
Pope's
AI letter ***
Jesus, please bless Pope
Leo in South America
162. Just laws and methods of redistribution are certainly necessary for correcting imbalances, including tax systems that lighten the burden on the weakest and ask for more from those with greater resources. However, the pursuit of social justice should not be considered a separate issue that follows only after the production of wealth, as if the economy existed solely to create wealth, with politicians only intervening afterwards in order to distribute it. Indeed, justice concerns every phase of economic activity, from resource acquisition to financing, and from production to consumption; every choice has moral consequences. [163]
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
2 Samuel 6: David and 30,000 men went to Baalah
(Kiriath-jearim)
to bring the Sacred Chest to Jerusalem. David and the people danced before the Sacred
Chest
and sang loudly to the accompaniment of much music. After the Sacred Chest entered Jerusalem
David blessed the people in the name of the Lord.
Dear God, please help us
praise you with joy,
as David did
Recording
Psalm 84: How lovely is your sacred temple, Lord.
My heart is longing to spend time in your holy dwelling. Even sparrows and swallows are your
temple guests.
They build homes for their young near your altar. Blessed are the people who live and work in
your temple.
And blessed, too, are people who keep the memory of your temple in
their hearts. As they go through the troubles of life,
you give them strength to face the trials of each day. Lord, one day within your temple
is better than a thousand anywhere else.
Dear God, thank you for special
places of prayer
Recording
2 Corinthians 13.1-13:
Soon I will be with you for a third time.
What I ask is that you live the way God wants you to live. So, grow in your Christian life. Help one
another. Be united.
Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love
of God the Father,
and the friendship of the Holy Spirit be with you all
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, help me live the
way you want me to live
Listen
John 3.1-5: A religious leader said to Jesus "you
are a teacher who comes from God, for no one could perform the signs that
you do unless God were with him". Jesus replied "Unless you are born
through water and the Spirit,
you cannot enter God's kingdom"
Jesus, please help more people be baptized
through water and the Spirit
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Most people in Heaven will have been baptised not by water but by "Desire" (= trying to live a good life)
---------------
To
go with today's Gospel:
--------------------
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 12th 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 12th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Nov 11
Remembrance Day
108 years ago today, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War 1 officially ended, after a conflict that involved 65 million men in battle, left nearly 10 million killed, 21 million wounded, with nearly seven million civilian deaths. May the Good Lord help our world avoid war!
Not forgetting that the Treaty of Versailles which ended World War 1 was a major cause of World War 2 (because it treated Germany so harshly) and was the reason for China's young leaders turning away from the West and turning to Marxism/Russia (because China also was treated so badly by the Treaty - see May 4 Movement)
Green energy: World
must follow China - John Kerry
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israel
soldiers murder 14 year old boy in West Bank
Pope's
AI letter *** Jesus please bless Pope
Leo in South America
161. This perspective needs to become part of a broader view of global dynamics. While the world’s wealth has grown in absolute terms, it is increasingly concentrated in fewer hands, widening inequalities both within and between countries. “There are a few who have too much, and too many who have little, that is the logic of today.” [162] Scientific and technological advances, even in the medical field, are not easily accessible to the vast majority of people, as was dramatically demonstrated during the recent pandemic. While some regions spend heavily on superfluous interventions or dreams of individual enhancement accessible only to a select few, other parts of the world lack the essential equipment needed to save millions of human lives. To think that new technologies will automatically benefit everyone is to ignore the evidence. Unless transformations at the design stage prioritize the prevention of new and further disparities, technological progress will inevitably produce structural inequalities. Today, justice requires access to the benefits of innovation, including care, knowledge, tools and opportunities.
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
2 Samuel 4 & 5:
After
Ishbaal, son of Saul, was
murdered,
David became king of Israel as well as king of Judah.
David was 30 years old when he became king.
He reigned over Judah for 7 years.
Then he reigned over all Israel and Judah for 33 years. David continued to fight against the
Philistines.
God blessed David in all his campaigns.
Dear God, may all of Israel be
blessed with peace
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
82 & 83: God says to corrupt officials:
"How long will you judge unjustly and mistreat the poor?
You should do justice for the weak and the orphan.
You should defend the afflicted and the needy.
You should rescue the weak and the poor.
You should set them free from the hand of the wicked". O God, please protect your people from
corruption and injustice.
Save us also from attack by other nations.
Let everyone know that you are the Lord of all the earth.
Lord, please stop corrupt
officials from hurting people
Listen
2
Corinthians 11.24 - 12-14: Remember how much I have suffered for the sake
of the Good News:
- 5 times I had the 39 lashes from the Jews
- 3 times I was beaten with sticks
- once I was stoned
- 3 times I was shipwrecked
- I have often been starving.
This should prove to you that I am a
genuine apostle, not after money or fame or power. It is you I want, not
your possessions
Jesus, help church workers want souls,
not money/fame/power
Listen
Luke
7.36-50: A religious leader invited Jesus for a meal.
A woman who had a bad name heard that Jesus was at the leader's home.
She entered the house and knelt behind Jesus, crying. Her tears fell on
Jesus' feet and she wiped them away with her hair. She covered his feet
with kisses, and put ointment on them.
The leader was thinking "If Jesus is a prophet, he would know what
sort of woman is now touching him". So Jesus said to the leader "I
came into your house and you did not follow the custom of pouring water on
my feet. But this woman has poured out her tears on my feet. You gave me no welcoming kiss, but she has
been covering my feet with kisses. You gave me no welcoming oil on my
head, but she has anointed my feet. And I tell you that her sins must have been
forgiven, or she would not have shown such great love. People who are forgiven little,
show little love".
Jesus, please forgive my sins. Help me
show great love
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Anointing of Jesus
---------------------------
This week I am saying the daily 7.10am YMT parish Mass
...since Fr Stephen and Fr Gabriel are on the annual diocesan retreat. I don't
mind getting up early ... if I can get to bed a bit earlier!
-------------------------
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 11th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Hunan
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 11th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Yemen
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Nov 10
Temple Street in Jordan a musical place these nights as Nepal dancers and singers celebrate Divali - singing and dancing like this
Pope's
AI letter ***
Pope in Argentina:
People
must come first
160. In recent years, finance has increased in importance and has undergone significant innovation, driven partly by the introduction of cryptocurrencies. The reflections and observations contained in the teaching of my predecessors, particularly in their Encyclicals, have highlighted how the financial intermediation sector, “when operating without the necessary anthropological and moral foundations, has not only produced manifest abuses and injustice, but also demonstrated a capacity to create systemic and worldwide economic crisis.” [161] It is likewise the case that income from capital risks replacing income from labor, which is often confined to the margins of the economic system’s primary interests. Yet savings transformed into credit for the real economy, thereby creating both jobs and self-employed work, remain central for development and the investments that must accompany ongoing transitions. The social function of credit remains irreplaceable. Finance for its own sake is fundamentally different from finance aimed at the development, creation and evolution of work.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
2
Samuel 1-3: When David heard that
Saul and Jonathan had died,
David was very sad. David was
then anointed as king over the house of Judah,
but Ishbaal became king of the rest of Israel. War broke out between the House of David (Judah)
and the House of Saul (Israel). Gradually
the House of David grew stronger
and the House of Saul grew weaker.
Dear
God, please give peace to all nations suffering from civil war
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
81: Ring out your joy to God our
strength,
shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.
Listen to the voice of the Lord: "I am the Lord your God
who brought you out from the land of Egypt. Let there be no foreign god among you,
no worship of a false god. O that my people would heed me,
that Israel would walk in my ways. At once I would subdue their foes.
But Israel I would feed with finest wheat and honey".
Lord, please help us to walk in
your ways
Listen
2
Corinthians 8.9 - 9.7: Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was.
He was rich, but he became poor for our sake, to make us rich. So we also should help people who are
poor. If
we have extra
we should help people who don't have enough. Maybe some day, the same poor people will be
rich,
and we will be poor, and they will help us. And don't forget, God loves a cheerful giver
Jesus, help me do more to help poor
people
Listen
Luke
7.18-30:
John the Baptist, imprisoned by King Herod,
heard the news about Jesus. John sent two of his friends to
ask Jesus "Are you the promised One?" Jesus replied "Go and tell John
what you have seen today: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is
proclaimed to the poor". Jesus then spoke to the people about John:
"Everyone who accepted baptism from John acknowledged God's plan. But
by refusing baptism from him, the religious leaders thwarted what God had
in mind for them"
Jesus, please don't let me do anything to
thwart your plan for my life
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: "Bringing
the Good News to the poor" was/is a sign of the Messiah
------------------------------
Renovations at Aitece full time English Corner at 147
Temple Street due to be finished by Nov 20 please God!
-------------------------------
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 10th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Hubei
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 10th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Ethiopia
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Nov 9
This morning I'm due to accompany one of my bail-surety cases for
a hearing at West Kowloon Court ... followed by some meetings in the afternoon.
Providentially WKC is only one MTR station from my home in Jordan (.. Austin MTR)
... and I can be in the court in less than 20 mins.
Pope's
AI letter ***
Jesus
pls bless Pope Leo in South America
159. It is important to move beyond the current metrics of development — which for more than eighty years have been tied to the concept of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) — since these metrics almost systematically neglect aspects essential to the overall wellbeing of people and the environment. The development of parameters and metrics complementary to GDP is crucial for improving the databases used for conducting analyses, political and economic decision-making and establishing regional, national and international priorities. The introduction of new parameters will allow for a comprehensive and timely assessment of how legislative and regulatory decisions impact the dignity of work, shared prosperity, inequality reduction and environmental protection. It will also affect the concept of development, educational processes, mindsets and public opinion, as well as peace, which is only authentic when based on justice.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
1
Samuel 25-31:
Samuel died and was buried in his home town
of Ramah.
Saul continued to try to capture David. David and his band of 600 soldiers
spent more than a year in Philistine territory. They stayed with Achish, king of
Gath.
They fought against the enemies of Achish.
Achish sent David away when the Philistines
made war on Israel.
Saul and his son Jonathan died in this war. Dear
God, please protect and help all refugees
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
79-80: O God, the nations have invaded your sacred
land,
they have profaned your holy temple.
They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins. We have become the taunt of our
neighbours,
the mockery and scorn of those who surround us. How long, O Lord, will all this last?
How long will this sorrow keep going? Do not hold the guilt of our ancestors against
us.
If their guilt is somehow influencing our situation now please give peace and healing to everyone and everything
in our history. Let the groans of the prisoners come before
you.
Let your strong arm reprieve those condemned to die. O Lord, our God, help us and save us.
Let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Lord, please heal any problems
in my family tree
Listen
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 the song "How Great Thou Art"
Listen
Luke
7.11-17: Jesus and his disciples went to a town called
Nain. Many other people went with them. As they reached the town, a
dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and
she was a widow. When the Lord saw her, he felt sorry for her.
"Do not cry" he said. Then he said "Young man, I tell you
to get up". The dead man sat up and began to talk, and
Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God
saying "A great prophet has appeared among us. God has visited his
people"
Jesus, please give me the faith to pray that
dead people will come back to life - you who once told your disciples
"to raise the dead"
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Only one person in human history has been able, on his own authority, to tell dead people to get up!
-------------------------
Pls
God when I am in Lebanon in January I will be able to visit the
famous monastery of St Charbel
--------------------
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 9th of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Henan
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 9th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mozambique
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Nov 8
Today:
.HAPPY
DIWALI!
Pope's
AI letter ***
Jesus, please bless
Pope's trip to South America
158. With prophetic spirit, Pope Francis warned against an economic freedom proclaimed in words alone, while actual conditions prevent many from benefiting from it. [159] Economic models that exalt efficiency and individual success often view investment in disadvantaged people or in those with slower development paths as useless or inconvenient, as if their futures depended solely on their ability to keep pace with the “winners.” In reality, a just society requires a vigilant State and civil institutions that are capable of overcoming the singular mentality of efficiency, and of ensuring that resources, creative solutions and regulations favor the most vulnerable. [160] Instead of waiting for the benefits of growth to reach the poor “eventually,” decisions need to be taken to ensure that growth becomes inclusive from the outset. The experience of recent decades shows that in economic and financial crises, it is always the poor who pay the highest price, while the theories that promise automatic general prosperity often prove to be illusory.
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sun 32
Wisdom 10-19: Wisdom
has been present in the world since the beginning of time. Wisdom has always
been a close friend of good people. Wise
people see God in the beauty of creation. Foolish people are blind to
God's presence in creation. Wise people ponder God's goodness and kindness. Wise
people try to be good and kind to other people.
Lord, please help me see and imitate your goodness and kindness
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
61-65: O
God, hear my cry, you who are my refuge and help. In you alone is my soul at
rest. My help comes from you. Take refuge in God, everyone in trouble.
Trust him at all times. O God, you are my God, for you I long. My
body and soul thirst for you like a dry, weary land without water. Your
love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. On my bed I remember
you. On you I muse through the night. You are the Creator of the world. You care
for the earth, you give it water. To you our praise is due, wherever we are on
earth.
Lord, my soul clings to you. Your right hand holds
me fast
Listen
1
Thessalonians 4.13-18: You
asked us about the situation of people who have died. Do not mourn in an
unhealthy way for them, like people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died
and rose again, and that it will be the same for everyone who dies in God's
friendship: God will give them life with Jesus. They will live in God's House
for ever. With
thoughts such as these you should comfort one another in times of mourning.
Jesus, please increase my faith in the life to come
Listen
Matthew 25.1-13: Jesus told this parable to his disciples: The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, "The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him." At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, "Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out." But they replied, "There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves." They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. "Lord, Lord," they said "open the door for us." But he replied, "I tell you solemnly, I do not know you." So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.
Reflection on the above readings:
Let us often pray for wisdom...especially asking the Holy Spirit that we may live wisely, and not foolishly
-------------------------------
------------------------------
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 8th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Heilongjiang
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 8th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Sierra Leone
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
------------------------
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 ---------------------- --------------------- The
Vow of Poverty and Solidarity with the Poor --------------------- 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
