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 Sep 3
Two
mornings ago when I was at the District Court for a bail surety case hearing, I
counted 13 barristers in black gowns + white wigs ....together with about 20
other lawyers and about 70 other folk like myself ...all waiting to stand when
the magistrate entered a door at the front of the court. When a magistrate so
enters, one of the CSD guards will call out in a really loud voice
"Court!" and everyone will stand and bow to the magistrate. But ...
unexpectedly, a court secretary came through the special door ... and most of
the barristers stood up ... to the great amusement of the CSD guards and
everyone else in the court ... as the red-faced barristers quickly sat down!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
US
attack on Iran kills 4, including child, at wedding ceremony
86. In conclusion, I would like to touch on a point that is particularly close to my heart. Social Doctrine is not merely a message addressed to society; it is also an examination of conscience for the Church — a home and school of communion that is always called to ensure that the principles outlined in this chapter are applied, especially within its own structures. In the ecclesial context, the common good takes the form of a synodal approach for mission at the service of the Kingdom. Indeed, the Church is the “communitarian and historical subject of synodality and mission.” [113] This requires attention to the way decisions are taken and responsibilities are exercised. The Final Document of the Synod identifies a culture of transparency, accountability and evaluation as key practices for missionary transformation. [114] ("conclusion"? ...still 150 artticles to go!))
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Deuteronomy 22-25: Moses' teaching:
"You shall not commit adultery or fornication.
You must avoid all forms of prostitution.
You may demand interest on a loan to a foreigner,
but do not practise usury among yourselves.
Be honest in all your dealings".
Dear
Lord, please give me a clean heart
Recording
Psalm 145: I will give you glory, O God my king.
I will bless your name day after day. The Lord is great, worthy of all praise.
His greatness cannot be measured. Age to age shall proclaim your works,
shall speak of your splendor and glory. The Lord is kind and full of compassion,
slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all,
compassionate to all his creatures. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,
and tell all the world of your love. The Lord is faithful in all his words
and loving in all his deeds. The Lord supports all who fall
and raises all who are bowed down. The eyes of all creatures look to you
and you give them their food each day. The Lord is close to all who call him,
who call on him from their hearts. Let the whole world bless the Lord's holy
name,
for ever, for ages unending.
Thank you, Lord, for your love.
Thank you for your love
01
02 03
Romans 1.8-16: I thank God for the
way people everywhere speak of your faith. I never fail to mention
you in my prayers.
I pray for the opportunity to visit you if God wills. I long to see you to
encourage you and to be encouraged by you. For I am not ashamed of
the Good News. It is the power of God saving everyone who has faith, Jews
first then everyone else.
Jesus, help me to pray
for others the way Paul prayed for others-
Listen
John 20.21-29: That same Sunday evening, the doors were
locked in the room where the disciples had gathered, for fear of the
religious leaders. But Jesus appeared and stood before them,
saying "Peace be with you". He showed them his hands and his
side and said "As the Father sent me, so I am sending you". Then he breathed on them, saying "Receive the
Holy Spirit". Thomas, one of the 12 apostles, was not there
that night. When the other disciples said they had seen the Lord, he
replied "Unless I see and touch his wounded body, I refuse to
believe". Eight days later, the group was again in the
same house, with the doors locked. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus again appeared and stood before them
saying "Peace be with you". Then he said to Thomas "Put
your hand into my side. Doubt no longer, but believe". Thomas
replied "My Lord and my God!"Jesus said "You believe because you can
see me. Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet believe"
Jesus, my Lord and my God, I believe in you.
Help me live and grow and die in your friendship
01
02
Reflection on the above Bible readings: In some countries ...e.g. Ireland ... "My Lord and my God" can be used as a Consecration response at Mass
---------------
To my shame ...only yesterday did I learn how to speak to W/app for it to
produce and send a written message to someone ...in English and Chinese!
--------------------
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 3rd 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 3rd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Chad
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Sep 2
Yesterday morning I was at the District Court for a hearing of a
case for whom I am bail surety. The hearing took only 35 seconds! Today I'm due
to be at Fanling Court for another bail surety case ...that is due to be
dropped! ... and the person will be free! Pls &
thank you Jesus!
Yesterday's HK Economic Journal report: Hard
copy & online
copy
85. Seen in this light, integral human development is the framework through which we can interpret the changes of our time, including those brought about by the digital revolution. Technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, are not neutral, for they can either foster participation and justice or exacerbate inequality, control and exclusion. For this reason, they must be evaluated by asking a crucial question: Do they truly help individuals and peoples to become more humane and fraternal, while respecting our common home and future generations? It is here that the principles of Social Doctrine become concrete criteria for discernment regarding the issues which we will address in the following chapters.
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Deuteronomy 19-21:
Moses' teaching:
"A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,
a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot.
When you go to war, the following men are excused from fighting:
a man who has not yet dedicated his newly-built house;
a man who has planted a vineyard and not yet enjoyed its fruit;
a man who is engaged to be married;
a man who is fearful and faint of heart."
Dear Lord, help me to
understand how Jesus taught us to love our enemies and not to take revenge
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
144: Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who gives me strength for every situation. He is my love, my fortress.
He is my stronghold, my savior. To you, O God, will I sing a new song,
you who so often rescued David your servant. Happy the people whose God is the Lord.
Please continue to bless your people, Lord. Let our sons flourish like saplings
grown tall and strong from their youth;
our daughters graceful as columns,
adorned as though for a palace.
Let our crops and stock be blessed.
May there be no sound of weeping on our streets.
Lord, please help us love and
honor you every day.
Don't let us ever forget your love
Listen
Romans
1.1-7: From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, who has
been called to be an apostle,
and specially chosen to preach the Good News. This news is about the Son of God who,
according to the human nature he took, was a descendant of David.
This news is about Jesus Christ our Lord who,
by his resurrection from the dead, proved he was the Son of God.
From him I received my mission to preach the
obedience of faith to non-Jewish nations. You are one of these nations. You belong to
Jesus Christ. To you who are God's beloved friends in Rome,
may
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give grace and peace
Jesus, Son of God, may all nations know
and love you
Listen
Luke
24.36-49: The disciples were still talking about what
had happened when suddenly Jesus himself stood among them. At first they
were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said "Look at my hands and feet.
Yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves. A ghost has no flesh
and bones as you can see I have". Their fear turned to joy but they still
couldn't believe what they were seeing. So he asked them for something to
eat, and they gave him some grilled fish which he ate in front of them. Then he opened their minds to understand the
Scriptures, and he said "So you see how it is written that the Christ
would suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. And that in his
name repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the
nations. Soon I will send down to you what the Father
promised (the Holy Spirit). Stay in Jerusalem until you are clothed
with this power from on high".
Jesus, increase my faith in your
resurrection, and open my mind to understand the Bible better
01
02
Reflection on the above readings: Open-mindedness
---------------------------
Picture above has Jesus using his left hand to take food. A
mistake, since in Jesus' culture, as still in cultures like that of Indonesia
...the left hand used at toilet time
-------------------------
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 2nd
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Fujian
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 2nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Central
African Republic
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Sep 1
Yesterday afternoon the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Zorina Wan
and several of her staff, visited MercyHK's canteen in Temple Street for a most
encouraging meeting with our Anti-Drug Team ....followed by a visit with the
team to the front of the Yau Ma Tei methadone clinic for a sharing with a
large number of patients at the clinic.
Today I'm due to be in court for a "hearing" of a case
for whom I am bail surety. Followed by another surety court case tomorrow which
will have good news: "the case has been dropped". Thank
you Jesus!
84. Today, the concept of integral human development is a benchmark for the evaluation of integral ecology, which has become an indispensable dimension of the Church’s Social Doctrine. Indeed, the quality of development is measured by the ability to integrate justice toward people and the care of our common home, and to promote dignified living conditions, access to necessary goods, just social relations, care of creation and consideration for future generations. It follows that true progress is not what increases the wellbeing of some by degrading ecosystems, shifting costs onto the most disadvantaged communities, or compromising the living conditions of those who will follow us.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Deuteronomy
16-18: Moses' teaching:
"Remember the special feasts and days that you must observe.
Appoint judges for the people. Do not pervert the law.
You must be fair, you must not take bribes.
No bribes, no corruption.
Do not practise divination, soothsaying.
No one may be an augur or sorcerer.
Do not use charms, do not consult ghosts or spirits.
Instead, be entirely faithful to the Lord your God."
Dear
Lord, please help people avoid
astrology and fortune tellers
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
140-143: Lord, save me from
people who do evil,
you who do justice for the needy. I have no way out of
this situation.
And no one wants to help me. Lord, I beg you tonight
to make haste and give me an answer,
for my spirit fails within me. In the morning let me know your love
for I put my trust in you.
Lord, please help people who
are in big trouble
Listen
Acts
28.17-31: Not long after his arrival in Rome, Paul had a
meeting with a large number of Jews. The meeting went from early morning
until evening. Paul talked to them about the kingdom of God.
He tried to help them believe in Jesus. Some accepted Jesus. Paul was in detention for two years, in his
own rented house. He welcomed everyone who came to visit him. With
boldness and without hindrance, he taught people about the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Jesus, thank you for the Acts of the Apostles.
May I help more people know and love you, like Paul
Listen
Luke
24.13-35: That same day, two of Jesus' disciples were
on their way from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus, about 7 km from
Jerusalem. As they talked about all that had happened,
Jesus himself joined them as they walked along. But they did not recognize
him. When Jesus asked them what they were talking
about, they said "About Jesus of Nazareth, and how our
leaders had him crucified. And how some women in our group went to Jesus'
tomb and were told by angels that he was alive". Jesus then explained the Scripture passages
which predicted his suffering and resurrection. Jesus joined the two men for an evening meal.
During the meal,
he blessed some bread and gave it to them. They then
recognized him. But he immediately vanished from their sight. They said to each other "Did not our
hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the
Scriptures to us?" Straight away they returned to Jerusalem where
the eleven apostles said to them "Yes, it is true. The Lord has
risen". Then they told their story of what had
happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus at the
breaking of bread
Jesus, please make my heart burn within me as
I read the Bible
01
02
Reflection
on the above readings: Today's Gospel ... the
best type of heart burn!
------------------------------
A few days ago when I used AI to translate 5 pages of a
letter in Indonesian ... for a mitigation letter needed for the High Court soon
... AI asked me "would you like me to combine the 5 pages into one
continuous letter?" ... to which I happily said "yes pls"
(to save editing)!
-------------------------------
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 1st
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Anhui
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 1st of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Niger
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Aug 31
Letter
from Indonesian woman in HK prison for drug trafficking -
"I cry every night when I remember my family" - in Indonesian with AI
English translation
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Settlers
attack woman & news team in West Bank
93. This paradigm has spread rapidly in recent years, fueled in part by the expansion of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, nanotechnology (!), robotics and biotechnology. In themselves, these innovations can greatly serve integral human development and the care of our common home. Yet precisely because of their power, they can also hasten the expansion of the technocratic paradigm and therefore require a new spiritual, ethical and political framework. More power does not necessarily imply something better. In this respect, the words of Romano Guardini remain relevant: “Contemporary man has not been trained to use power well.” [120]
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Deuteronomy
14-15: Moses' teaching:
"There are certain animals you must not eat, including pigs.
At the end of every 7 years, you must cancel all debts.
If there is a poor person among you,
do not harden your heart or close your hand against that person.
Always be generous to anyone in need."
Dear Lord, make me more
generous towards poor people
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
139: O Lord, you search me and you know me.
You know my resting and my rising. You know exactly what's going on in my life,
all my ways are an open book to you. Before ever a word is on my tongue,
you know, O Lord, what I'm going to say. Your knowledge is beyond my understanding,
too high, beyond my reach. It was you who created my being,
knit me together in my mother's womb. I thank you for the wonder of my life,
for the wonders of all your creation. Lord, thank you for the gift of
life. Please help me follow the path to eternal life
Listen
Acts
28.11-16: After three months we set sail in a ship going
to Italy. Our trip took us to Syracuse, Rhegium and Puteoli before we
arrived in Rome. Believers in Rome heard of Paul's arrival
and came to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God with all his heart.
Paul was allowed to stay in lodgings of his
own, with a soldier to guard him
Jesus, thank you helping Paul reach
Rome
safely. Thank you for protecting me on all my journeys
Listen
John
20.11-18: Peter and John went home. Mary Magdalene
remained at the tomb, crying. When she looked inside the tomb, she saw two
angels in white. She also saw Jesus standing there, though she did not
recognize him. Jesus said "Woman, why are you
crying?". Mary thought he was the gardener so she said to him
"If you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him". Jesus said "Mary" and she recognized
him. Jesus then said "I will ascend to my Father". Mary went and told the disciples all she had
seen and heard
Jesus, please bless people who are crying at
funerals today. May awareness of your presence bring them peace and
strength for the days ahead
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Jesus turns tears of sadness into tears of joy
-------------------------
Keep
off the grass ("grass" is slang for cannabis)
--------------------
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 31st of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Tianjin
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 31st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Uganda
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Aug 30
OMI
helping indigenous people in Indonesia (priest is Fr
Charlie Burrows O.M.I.)
I watched this yesterday - excellent: The
4 stages of a hardened heart - message from the shortest book in the Old
Testament
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
UK
Labour groups pushing for Gaza genocide recognition
92. In his Encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis denounced the growing dominance of a technocratic paradigm [119] in our globalized world: the tendency to let the logic of efficiency, control and profit alone shape personal, social and economic decisions. This makes it clear that technology is not simply a tool. When it becomes the standard by which everything is judged, it begins to dictate what matters and what can be discarded, reducing creation to an object of exploitation and human beings to mere cogs in a system driven toward ever greater efficiency.
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 22
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
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
Romans
12.1-2: I beg you, trust in
God's mercy, and worship him in a spiritual way, not just in an external way.
Offer your whole life to him as a holy sacrifice. Do not blindly follow the
fashions of the world. Instead, let
your behavior change, fashioned by your enlightened mind. This is the way
to discover the will of God, the way to know what God wants us to do.
Jesus, help me give more time to things that are important, less time to
things not so important
Listen
Matthew
16.21-28: Jesus now began explaining to
his disciples how he must go to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise from the dead.
He also said "If you want to be my disciple, you must deny yourself,
take up your own cross, and follow me. Selfishness
will ruin your life. Self-sacrificing will bless your life. What use is
it to have everything in this world yet miss out on Heaven?"
Jesus, please help me find my life by losing it
in service of others
Listen
Reflection on the above readings:
Never once did Jesus say to a sick person "your illness is your cross ... go and carry it". Every time someone asked for healing, Jesus healed them or those for whom they asked healing. So what is our cross? Jeremiah gives the answer: it's ridicule, persecution for being a Christian ....for upholding Christian values
-------------------------------
As
I continue reading the Pope's AI letter as I call it (above) I keep wishing
someone at the Vatican would use AI to stop future letters from being so
long-winded!
------------------------------
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 30th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shanghai
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 30th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Rwanda
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Aug 29
Short
update from Canada's Avery Haines (W5): A fourth person arrested in case of
18 year old Canadian girl tricked to bring drugs to HK
My
interview (Cantonese)
with 59 year old HK
woman freed
7:0 by High Court jury after bring 15kg of heroin from Bangkok to HK
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Gaza
children take shelter during Israeli drone attack
91. I am convinced that the concrete way of living out social relationships in the light of the Gospel is not established once and for all, but remains a task entrusted, from generation to generation, to the Christian community. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church allows herself to be enlightened by God’s word, reads the signs of the times and creatively seeks new ways for relationships between peoples and nations to become ever more conformed to the demands of the Kingdom of God. [118] For this reason, I encourage all members of the Church not to be afraid of the present challenges, but to listen to one another and firmly embrace their responsibilities in building a more humane and fraternal society.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for feast of the Beheading 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
My
recording of this reading
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.
Lord, may all elderly people put their trust and hope in you
Listen
Mark
6.17-29: Not
long after Jesus began traveling and teaching, King Herod arrested John the
Baptist and put him in prison. This was because John had told Herod he was
breaking the Law by living with Herodias, his brother's wife. During a
birthday party for Herod, the daughter of Herodias danced. Her dancing so
pleased Herod that he said he would give her anything she wanted. Herodias told
her to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a dish. Herod
then had John beheaded.
Jesus, please give the world good leaders, and protect people from bad
leaders like Herod
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Unmarried John the Baptist was murdered for speaking truth to power about the sanctity of marriage
---------------------------
3 year old Patricia, being cared for by MercyHK, began
kindergarten this week, after graduating from pre-school last month!
------------------------------
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 29th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Chongqing
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 29th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Nigeria
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Aug 28
The
Bible's favourite number - SEVEN (this video is so
good!)
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Start
of school year in Gaza
90. Having recalled the principles that shine a light on Social Doctrine, I would now like to focus on certain challenges that profoundly shape our way of living today. The biblical image accompanying these reflections is that of a building project. On the one hand, there is the Tower of Babel, where collective effort follows a plan that dominates and ultimately dehumanizes (cf. Gen 11:1-9). On the other hand, there are the ruins of Jerusalem, which under Nehemiah’s direction are rebuilt piece by piece as a project of shared responsibility (cf. Neh 2–6). We are called to reflect on the great “construction sites” of our era and ask: What are we building? As technological development rapidly transforms languages, relationships, institutions and forms of power, we believers must and can choose which projects to work on and in what manner, so as to safeguard and value the grandeur of humanity that has been given to us as a gift. This is a choice not only for our future but also for our present, since artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are already part of our daily lives. ((it has taken 89 articles to "get to the point"!))
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Deuteronomy 12-13: Moses continued his
teaching:
"Be faithful in keeping all the instructions that I give you,
so that you and your children after you may be happy,
always doing what is good and right
in the eyes of the Lord your God.
If anyone, even someone from your own family,
tries to get you to worship a false god,
have nothing to do with that person"
Dear
God, please don't let anyone influence me to forget you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm 138: I thank you, Lord, with all my
heart.
You have heard the words of my mouth. With the angels I will bless you.
I will adore you in your holy temple. I thank you for your faithfulness and love
which are far above what we can understand. On the day I called you answered.
You increased the strength of my soul. All earth's kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the Lord's ways:
"How great is the glory of the Lord!" Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes. Your love, O Lord, is eternal.
Do not abandon us whom you have made.
Lord, when we remember how much
you love us and help us, every day of the year is a Thanksgiving Day
Listen
Acts
28.1-10:
We were on the island of Malta. The local
people were really kind to us. They made us welcome. They lit a huge fire
because the weather was cold and rain was falling. Paul collected a bundle of sticks and was
putting them on the fire, when a snake bit his hand and held on. The locals
expected him to die. But he just shook the snake into the
fire. He was ok. The local Roman governor kindly gave us
hospitality for three days. The governor's father was very sick in bed
with fever and dysentery. He was healed when Paul prayed for him with the
laying on of hands.
Word of the healing got around fast, and soon everyone on the island who
was sick, came and got healed
Jesus, please bless the people of Malta
Listen
John
20.1-10: Before dawn the next morning, Sunday, Mary
Magdalene went to the tomb. She saw the stone had been moved from
the tomb's entrance. She ran to Peter and John and said
"Someone has taken the Lord out of the tomb". They ran back to the tomb. Peter went in
first. He saw that the linen cloths were on the ground. But the cloth that
had been around Jesus' head was not on the ground. It was neatly folded
and in a place by itself. Then John went into the tomb. He saw, and he
believed
Jesus, I believe you rose from the dead.
Please increase my faith
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Jesus' empty tomb is good news for everyone hoping to enjoy life after death!
-------------------------
In 1982 I visited Malta, and walked along the beach of St
Paul's Bay ...where St Paul and 275 others came ashore in today's reading from
Acts.
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Aug 27
Visit
to EpicLand by MercyHK special group of mothers & children ***
EpicLand website
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Gaza
farmers struggle to survive
89. Living out justice in the Church means purifying ecclesial relationships and structures from distortions that give rise to inequality, lack of transparency and abuse of power. In this regard, listening to the victims of spiritual, economic, institutional, sexual and power-based abuse, as well as abuses of conscience, is an integral part of a journey toward justice, which includes acknowledging the harm done, just reparation and taking steps to prevent it from happening again. Every power is at the service of communion and mission. All authority is at the service of the People of God. This ministry of service is expressed not only through our faith celebrated and lived in the Sacraments, and in the adoption of a synodal style, but also in the concrete sharing of goods. Following the example of the early Church, ecclesial resources need to be shared so that no one among us may be in need (cf. Acts 4:34), and so that their administration may support the mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the poorest. Regular assessments of the exercise of ministerial responsibilities should be encouraged, not as judgments on individuals, but as tools for learning and correction oriented toward mission. [116] Only to the extent that we are open to the action of the Holy Spirit will these principles of Social Doctrine become incarnate in ecclesial life. In this way, the Church will be able to bear credible witness to society that seeking the common good together, with shared responsibility and fraternity, is not a utopia, but a real possibility.
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Deuteronomy 11:
Moses continued his
speech to the people:
"You must love the Lord your God.
Remember this day, how it was you who heard these words,
not your children.
It is your eyes that have seen the great works God has done.
Keep the Lord's commandments,
so that you may have strength to conquer the land God is giving you.
That land is a land of hills and valleys watered by rain from heaven.
If you love the Lord your God with all your heart
the Lord will give your land its rain in due season,
autumn and spring,
so that you may harvest your corn, your wine and your oil.
But if you forget the Lord your God and worship other gods,
then the heavens will be closed and produce no rain.
See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse:
a blessing if you obey the commandments of the Lord our God;
a curse if you disobey the commandments of the Lord our God."
Dear
Lord, please help us to obey you and never forget you,
and please give rain to places that urgently need it
Recording
Psalm 137: By the rivers of Babylon we sat and
cried,
remembering Zion.
On the poplars that grew there we hung up our harps. For it was there that they asked us, our
captors, for songs.
"Sing to us", they said, "one of Zion's songs". O how could we sing the song of the Lord on
alien soil?
If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither. O let my tongue cleave to my mouth
if I remember you not, Jerusalem, above all my joys.
Lord, please help people
who have been exiled from their homeland
Recording
Acts 27.39-44:
The next day they could see land: a bay with a beach. They tried to reach the
beach, but the ship ran aground on a
reef and began to break up. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to
stop them from escaping, but Julius would not allow this.
Some people swam. Some used pieces of wreckage. All of them got to shore
safely
Jesus, help people in danger of
shipwreck today
Listen
Luke 24.1-11: On Sunday morning, at daybreak, the women
went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the
large stone which had been put at the tomb's entrance had been rolled away.
They entered the tomb and found that the body
of Jesus was not there. Suddenly two men in brilliant clothes appeared at
their side. The men said to them "Why look among the
dead for someone who is alive? He is not here. He has risen, just as he
said he would". The women told all this to the eleven
apostles. But the apostles did not believe them
Jesus, increase my faith in your
resurrection
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Jesus "spoilt" every funeral he attended ... especially his own funeral!
---------------
Around 1960, I had the privilege of watching him play against
Queensland at Lang Park in Brisbane - a super player: +
Billy
Boston
--------------------
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 27th 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 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, 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
