V2Catholic.com 
A voice for the poor 
by HK prison chaplain
胡頌恆神父
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I.
Dr Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordan
jdwomi@gmail.com      +852 67095674
        
Imitating Pope Francis  78 

My other sites/links    

 JT  

Sun Oct 18

 

I totally agree with this article: Teach speaking rather than maths ((This concerns everyone ... we are talking less than we should!))

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:  Settlers attack farmers and journalist *** Critics praise NAZA


Pope's AI letter

137. Our first task is neither to demonize nor idolize technological tools, but to utilize them on the basis of a fundamental principle, namely that truth is a common good and not the property of those with power or influence. We must therefore promote an ecology of communication. On the level of public policy, this entails establishing norms so that the decision-making behind content selection and its development becomes more transparent and protects personal data. Regarding social and cultural aspects, this requires a strengthening of intermediary organizations, serious journalism and forums for debate, where reasoned argumentation and verification carry greater weight than immediate reaction. For families and schools, there is a growing need for new educational awareness and for formation concerning the proper and critical use of digital tools, AI and online commercial and financial platforms. In universities, the principal challenge lies in the integration of knowledge, cultivating both the capacity to connect and synthesize knowledge in order to grasp complexity, and the skills necessary to verify facts.

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Mission Sunday

Isaiah 2: In the days to come, the mountain of the Lord's Temple will be specially blessed. All the nations will come to it and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths". When they learn the ways of the Lord, then the nations will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war. O House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Lord, please help world leaders do more for peace in our world

My recording of this reading

 

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

 

Romans 10.9 & 11.33-36: If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved How wonderful is God!  How great his wisdom and knowledge. What finite creature could ever understand the mind of our infinite Creator? All that exists comes from him. To him be glory for ever!
Jesus, Father, Spirit - three persons, one God  - to you be glory for ever!
 Listen

 

 

Matthew 28.16-20: The 11 apostles went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him in worship. Jesus said to them "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to understand and live according to my words. And know that I am with you always, yes, to the end of time". 
Jesus, "God-with-us", please help us live our lives according to your teaching ....and thank you, Matthew, for this beautiful Gospel Report
 Listen

 Reflection on the above readings: 

Pope's Message for Mission Sunday 2026


Bible Claret Reflection

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  Renovation is going well at 147 Temple Street, Jordan, for the Aitece English Corner. Pls God it will be open by the end of November

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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 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shandong

And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Gambia

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless all Muslims in my country

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Sat Oct 17

Jesus said to invite needy people when you have a party ... which is what I did yesterday for my birthday: people on bail for morning tea and 24 homeless or recently homeless people for lunch at the Dr Jesus Centre ... then a gathering for another homeless group at MercyHK's Nathan Road Centre in the afternoon ... plus an evening gathering for a special group of women who work on Temple Street. And see below!

 

Saudi Arabia to execute man for attending protests and funerals when he was 15 ((barbaric))


Pope's AI letter

136. For this reason, those who control digital platforms and means of communication have a considerable ability to affect the collective imagination and to present a particular vision of reality as desirable. Such power should be constantly guided by the pursuit of truth and respect for human dignity, so that the culture fostered on the internet does not become an instrument of excessive distraction, homogenization or dominance, but rather a setting in which inner freedom and critical thought can mature.

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Ruth 3 & 4: Naomi told Ruth to go to the threshing shed of Boaz and to sleep there at the feet of Boaz, this action symbolizing her wish to marry Boaz. When Boaz discovered Ruth there during the night, he praised Ruth for wanting to continue Elimelech's family. The next day, Boaz went to the gate of Bethlehem and met the only man who preceded him in the legal right to marry Ruth. The man agreed to let Boaz marry Ruth and so Boaz took Ruth as his wife. Boaz and Ruth had a son, Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse whose son was King David.
Dear God, please
bless all grandparents, as you blessed David's great grandparents Ruth and Boaz 

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 34: I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips. In the Lord my soul shall make its boast, the humble shall hear and be glad. Glorify the Lord with me, together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me. From all my terrors he set me free. The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere the Lord, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. They are happy who seek refuge in him. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.
Those whose spirits are crushed he will save. 

Lord, by our Bible reading and prayer,  may we taste and see your goodness each day

Listen

 

1 Corinthians 3.5-15: Apollos and I are servants who brought the faith to you. I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but God made things grow. You are God's building. By God's grace, I  laid the foundation, the only foundation there can be: Jesus Christ. On that foundation you can build a house with good or poor materials. At the end of your life, your building will be judged by God
Jesus, you are the foundation of my life. Help me build a house with good material (= good deeds)

Listen



John 2.1-11: Jesus, his mother and his disciples were guests at a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The wine ran out, so Jesus' mother said to him "They have no wine". Jesus replied "Woman, my time for doing special things has not yet come". His mother said to the servants "Do whatever he tells you". There were 6 big containers there, used for holding water. Each could hold about 35 liters. Jesus said to the servants "Fill the containers with water" and they filled them up. Jesus then said "take some out and give it to the man in charge of the banquet".  When the man tasted the water, it had turned to wine. The man called the bridegroom and said "You have kept the best wine until now". This was the first public miracle done by Jesus
Jesus,  help me to do whatever you tell me to do

Listen

Reflection on the above readings: Water to wine, multiplication of loaves and fish ... Jesus the opposite of miserly!

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 Four lots of birthday cake yesterday ....  

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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 17th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shaanxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 17th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ethiopia

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday, please pacify the Taliban

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Fri Oct 16

 

HK had 40 million visitors in first 9 months of this year!

 

 

Pope's AI letter

135. In view of this, it is important to recall that communication “is not only the transmission of information, but it is also the creation of a culture.” [144] The content that circulates within digital environments shapes how people perceive the world and introduces into the collective consciousness images and narratives that direct our desires and influence our daily choices. This is “not a parallel or purely virtual world,” [145] since what originates online now becomes a part of people’s lives, especially of the youngest.

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here    
  Readings are from Simple Bible

Ruth 2: Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest. Ruth went to the fields to look for left-over ears of corn. She came to the attention of Boaz, Elimelech's clansman. Boaz was a kind man and he told the men harvesting his crop to let Ruth take some sheaves of corn, not just left-overs. As one of Naomi's closest relatives, Boaz was in a group of several men from which one man was required by law to marry Ruth and produce children for Elimelech
Lord, please bless all young widows

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 33: Ring out your joy to the Lord, all good people, for praise is fitting for loyal hearts. For the Lord loves justice and right; he fills the earth with his love. By his word the heavens were made, he spoke and the universe came into being. They are happy, whose God is the Lord, he is the source of all true joy. May your love be upon us, O Lord, since we place all our trust in you. Lord, we trust in your precious love
Listen

 

1 Corinthians 1.18 - 2.9: The language of the Cross doesn't make sense for some people. But for us it is God's power to save. While the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks require philosophy, here we are preaching a crucified Christ: to the Jews an obstacle they cannot get over, to the pagans madness. During my stay with you, I relied not on philosophy or my own efforts, but only on the power of the Spirit. The wisdom we teach is about things no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, things beyond human understanding - all that God has prepared for those who love him
Jesus, crucified Lord, please increase my faith in you

Listen

 

 

Luke 5.1-11: One day when Jesus was standing near the Lake of Gennesaret, with people pressing round him listening to the word of God, he saw two fishing boats near the bank. He got into one boat, it belonged to Simon Peter, and taught people from the boat, away from the shore a little distance. When he'd finished speaking he said to Simon "Go out further to deep water and use your nets for a catch of fish". Simon replied "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but if you say so I'll lower the nets". They soon caught so many fish that the nets began to tear. They called to their friends in the second boat to come and help. Both boats were soon filled with fish. Peter fell at Jesus' knees and said "Leave me, Lord, I am a sinful man", for he was overcome by the catch they had made, as were James and John who were his partners. But Jesus said to Simon "Don't be afraid. From now on, you will be fishers of men".  Simon and his friends then left everything to follow Jesus
Jesus,  bless and protect  all "fishers of men"

Listen 

Reflection on the above Bible readings: This is really good - The Empty Net

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 Gospel, above ... a carpenter ...giving advice to professional fishermen

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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 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Hainan

And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries each day of the month: 
On this 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Malawi

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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Thu Oct 15

Yesterday morning at the Dr Jesus Centre in Jordan, MercyHK was one of 8 NGO's taking part in the bi-annual meeting of the group  .... sharing about caring for asylum seekers in HK. A most worthwhile and encouraging meeting.

 

  My video about drugs coming to HK from Amsterdam Airport

 


Please God, hike to Sai Kung Big Wave Bay on public holiday Monday October 19.
Photos of same hike last year. Take 8.30am ferry from Ma Liu Shui pier near University MTR station ... to Chek Keng Pier (a trip of about 2 hours) ... then walk for about 90 mins to Big Wave Bay .....for swim ... and lunch at beach canteen ...then walk about 90 mins back to Chek Keng for ferry to Wong Shek Pier and bus to Kowloon ...or, if available, boat from beach to Sai Kung.  HK readers who can walk for 4 hours! most welcome to join me for my favourite  hike! 
Meet at University MTR Exit B at 7.45am to walk to Ma Liu Shui pier. Basics: umbrella, hat, water and a little bit of food. Lunch will be provided at Big Wave Bay. 
Ferry route map
*** Photos of 2023 hike

 

Iranian woman sentenced to death

 

Sierra Leone the world's first narco state

 


Pope's AI letter
*** Jesus, please heal Pope Leo!

134. The search for truth is an essential element of democracy, which is itself a means of contributing to the common good. When questions about what is true lose their appeal, and a pragmatism takes hold that is content with what appears useful or effective, then democratic life is weakened. After all, democracy does not consist of rules and procedures alone, but above all of a solid concordance with the facts and a genuine commitment to the good of individuals and society as a whole. Indifference to the truth leads, slowly but surely, to a descent into totalitarianism. As the philosopher Hannah Arendt wrote, the ideal subjects of such regimes are not so much those who are ideologically convinced, but rather “people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction (i.e., the reality of experience) and the distinction between true and false (i.e., the standards of thought) no longer exist.” [143]

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

Ruth 1: In the days of the judges, there was famine in the land. Because of the famine, a man from Bethlehem named Elimelech moved to Moab. Elimelech took with him his wife Naomi and his two sons. Elimelech died. The two sons married Moabite women: Orpah and Ruth. But then the two sons also died. Naomi was heart-broken. She had lost her husband and two sons. She decided to return to Bethlehem and told her daughters-in-law to go back to their own homes. Orpah went back to her people. But Ruth with great loyalty and love chose to go with Naomi. Ruth said: "Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people shall be my people. Your God shall be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried." 
Dear God, in time of trouble, please help people to be loyal and kind to each other

01 02

 

Psalm 32: Happy is the person whose sin is forgiven. For a while I refused to ask for forgiveness,
and my body paid the penalty. But then I said "Lord, forgive me" and my spirit and body revived.

Lord, when I do wrong, please give me the grace to say sorry and ask forgiveness

Recording

 

1 Corinthians 1.1-10: I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle, send greetings to the church of God in Corinth. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ. The witness to Christ has been strong among you. God shares with us the life of his Son, Jesus. God helps us to be faithful as followers of Jesus. I appeal to you to be united in belief and practice. Put an end to the differences between you
Jesus, Son of God, thank you for all the graces I have received

Listen

 

Luke 4.38-44: Jesus went to the home of Simon Peter. Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. Jesus was asked to help her. He bent over her, rebuked the fever and it left her. She immediately got up and served her guests. After the Sabbath finished at sunset, everyone who had sick friends brought them to Jesus. Laying his hands on each of them, he healed them. The next morning Jesus got up early and went to a lonely place to pray.  People found him and asked him not to leave the area. But he replied "I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do"
Jesus, heal my friend ... (name)... who is sick

Listen

Reflection on the above Bible readings:  Jesus told his apostles to heal the sick ....and healing the sick should be an essential part of Christian ministry

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  3 year old Patricia, being cared for by MercyHK, had a new experience last night ...being wired up with a microphone for filming by a media team currently in HK from Europe. But at the end of the filming there was a problem ... Patricia did not want to take off the micophone!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe , Russia          
Tues:
South Asia   
Wed: East Asia             
Thurs:
S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Frid: South America      
Sat: Cent, N America     
Jesus, today, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia

And praying for the people in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Liaoning

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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda

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Wed Oct 14

Yesterday I spent much time with a media team producing a documentary about drug mules. In the afternoon I also paid a brief visit to Lo Wu women's prison. And in the evening joined the usual Tuesday night gathering for Nepal drug addicts at the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street

 

    US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:  
Distressing MSF report about Gaza

 


Pope's AI letter

133. Those who command powerful technological and economic resources, along with substantial human capital for intervention, possess significant capabilities for influencing cultural change. Ultimately, they can influence a significant number of people concerning the truth about humanity, the world, the meaning of existence, the family and even God. This is pure power detached from truth, which subtly or overtly imposes what it wishes others to accept as true. At its root lies a deeper and often unrecognized “sickness”: the fact that “modern man is wrongly convinced that he is the sole author of himself, his life and society. This is a presumption that follows from being selfishly closed in upon himself.” [140] Consequently, people believe that they can construct reality, and that whatever best suits their claims corresponds to what is true. Saint John Paul II reflected on the consequences of this “crisis of truth,” going so far as to state that “once the idea of a universal truth about the good, knowable by human reason, is lost, inevitably the notion of conscience also changes.” [141] In such a context, universally valid truths, which precede us and which conscience must accept, are no longer recognized. This led Pope Francis to ask with realism: “What is law without the conviction, born of age-old reflection and great wisdom, that each human being is sacred and inviolable?” To which he concluded: “If society is to have a future, it must respect the truth of our human dignity and submit to that truth. Murder is not wrong simply because it is socially unacceptable and punished by law, but because of a deeper conviction. This is a non-negotiable truth attained by the use of reason and accepted in conscience. A society is noble and decent, not least for its support of the pursuit of truth and its adherence to the most basic of truths.” [142]

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Judges 17-21:  After Samson's death, there was no leader in Israel and everyone did as they pleased as lawlessness and anarchy became widespread.
Dear Lord, please don't let lawlessness increase in our world.

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 31: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress. My eyes are full of tears, my heart full of sorrow. Everyone makes fun of me. My friends don't want to know me. Save me, Lord, from this mess. I praise you Lord, for you protect those who trust you. You keep them safe from slander and lies. Be strong, let your heart take courage, all you who trust in the Lord
I trust in you, Lord. My life is in your hands

Listen

 

Romans 16.1-25: Please welcome our friend Phoebe, a deaconess in the church at Cenchrea. 
She has helped many people, including myself. Greetings to all my friends in Rome, especially Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked death to save my life. Be careful of people whose teaching is suspect. Avoid them. Glory to him who is able to give you strength to live according to the Good News

Jesus, help me live according to your Good News. Thank you for the beautiful letter to the Romans

Listen

 

 

Luke 4.31-37: Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee. On the Sabbath day he taught in the local prayer hall. In the hall there was a man possessed by a devil which shouted "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God". Jesus said sharply "Be quiet! Come out of him". And the devil left the man without hurting him. People in the hall said "He gives orders to unclean spirits and they obey him". Jesus' reputation continued to spread through the district
Jesus, please protect my family from evil

  Listen

 

Reflection on the above readings: Phoebe

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 These days I try to spend a few minutes checking the latest news from Beirut, since I'm due to be there after Christmas ... grateful that I will be able to use a special app on my mobile to help communicate with anyone who does not speak English.

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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 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,
Wednesday, please pacify
Al-Shabaab 

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Tues Oct 13

Last Saturday afternoon at the park near Kowloon Central Post Office, MercyHK joined several other NGOs in arranging an activity for the elderly. Report & photos here

 


Pope's AI letter

132. The use of digital platforms and AI systems is driving profound changes in public and political communication. Tools that could foster dialogue and participation are often used to construct distorted narratives and blur the boundaries between truth and falsehood, mixing facts with opinions. Disinformation did not begin with AI, yet today it finds a powerful amplifier in AI. The ability to manipulate content, images and videos exposes people to biased or misleading perspectives. This problem has both cultural and moral dimensions, since the quality of public communication depends directly on social trust and, in turn, shapes it. At the same time, truthful information does not arise from centralized or automated control. In public discourse, the truth of facts has a rational dimension, as it requires verification, cross-checking of sources and responsible argumentation. Moreover, it is deeply relational, built through bonds of trust and shared practices, as well as an honest exchange with others and with the world. Only the shared pursuit of the veracity of facts, perceived as a common good, can provide a solid foundation for just communication.

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Judges 14: Samson wanted to marry a Philistine woman, even though custom required he marry an Israelite. On his way to visit the woman in Philistine territory, Samson was confronted by a young lion. The spirit of the Lord filled Samson and he tore the lion to pieces with his bare hands. On his next visit to the woman's home,  Samson saw that in the carcass of the dead lion there was a swarm of bees, and honey. The people of the village made a wedding feast for 7 days. But they were scared of Samson so they assigned 30 men to stay with him. Samson challenged them to answer a riddle: if they got the right answer before the 7 days were over, he would give them 30 pieces of silver and 30 festal robes. But if they failed to get the right answer, they had to give Samson 30 pieces of silver and 30 robes. They agreed to the challenge. Samson stated his riddle: "Out of the eater came what is eaten, out of the strong came what is sweet".

Three days went by and they could not solve the riddle. So they asked Samson's wife to find out the answer. Day after day she pestered Samson with pleading and tears until, on the 7th day, he told her. She then told the men. The men then said to Samson: "What is sweeter than honey, and what is stronger than a lion?" Samson then went to a nearby Philistine town and killed 30 men there. He took their robes and gave them to the 30 wedding feast guests. Full of anger, he stormed out of the village and returned to his parents' house. His wife was then given to the companion 
who had been his best man.

Dear God, please help me control my anger

01 02

 

Psalms 29-30: The Lord gives us strength, the Lord blesses us with peace. Thank you, Lord, for so often helping and healing me. I cried to you when sickness surrounded me, and you healed me. You changed my mourning into dancing. So I will thank you always.
Thank you, Lord, for all the times you have healed me

Listen

 

Romans 15.15-33: The reason I have written to you is to encourage you in your faith.  This is my job from God. He has appointed me as a priest of Jesus Christ. I must do all I can to spread the Good News. I hope to see you on my way to Spain. Please pray for me that I may be protected from people who want to eliminate me
Jesus, help me do all I can to spread your Good News

Listen


 

Luke 4.14-22:  Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee. He taught in local prayer halls. His reputation spread. He came to his home town of Nazareth and went to the prayer hall on the Sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up and read these words from the prophet Isaiah: "The spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to set the downtrodden free". Jesus then sat down and said to the people in the prayer hall "These words from Isaiah are being fulfilled today even as you listen"
Jesus, please help me be more open to the power of your Spirit. O Holy Spirit, please increase your influence in my life

Listen

Reflection on the above readings: Romans and Luke, above, have much in common!

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 The HK O.M.I. bi-monthly meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the Dr Jesus Centre, followed by a lovely meal at the MercyHK canteen!

-------------------------------

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 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, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

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Mon Oct 12

With a heavy heart I read every word of these 2 articles:

Simon Tisdall:
Nuclear annihilation threat  

Steve Bloomfield: 
World after Gaza

 


Pope's AI letter

131. Having outlined the context in which the challenge of technological transformation is situated, especially those linked to AI and to transhumanist and posthumanist currents, we cannot remain at the level of general analysis alone. When languages and tools change, so do everyday actions and social relationships. For this reason, we must focus on certain areas in which these transformations have particularly concrete, and at times tragic, consequences. In light of the principles of the Church’s Social Doctrine, the digital transformation invites us to rediscover truth as a common good, to protect the dignity of work and to safeguard freedom against all forms of dependence and commercialization.

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Judges 12 & 13: Jephthah was judge in Israel for 6 years. For the following 25 years, Ibzan (7 years), Elon (10 years) and Abdon  (8 years) were judges. After these judges, the Israelites again were unfaithful to the Lord and so they were oppressed by the Philistines for 40 years. It was then that the angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife and said to her: "You are barren and have had no child. But you will soon conceive and bear a son. No razor is to touch his head,  for he shall be dedicated to the Lord from his mother's womb. It is he who will rescue Israel from the Philistines". The woman gave birth to a son and called him Samson. The child grew and the Lord blessed him. 
Dear Lord, please bless all barren women

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 28: To you, O Lord, I call, my rock, hear me. If you do not heed, I shall become like people in the grave. Lord, you are my strength and my shield. In you my heart trusts. Thank you, Lord, for so often hearing my prayer. I will always thank and praise you. You are the strength of your people Israel. Save your people. Be our shepherd and carry us for ever. 
Lord, please help people who are in big danger today

Listen

 

Romans 15.4-13: Learn hope from the Scriptures, from the example of people who did not give up, and were helped by God. May the God of hope bring you such joy and peace in your faith, 
that the power of the Holy Spirit will remove all bounds to hope

Holy Spirit of God, help me understand that no situation in this life is ever
hopeless, that you can enlighten even the darkest place

Listen


 

Matthew 4.1-11: After he was baptized, Jesus spent about 40 days praying and fasting in the desert. During this time, he was tempted by Satan. "If you are the Son of God, change some stones into bread" said Satan. Jesus replied "Human life needs more than bread. Life needs God's message". Satan then took Jesus to a high place and said "Throw yourself down, since the angels will protect you". Jesus replied "Presumption is a sin". Then Satan  took Jesus to a high mountain nd showed him all the nations of the world. "Worship me and I will give you all these nations" said Satan. Jesus replied "Go away, Satan! Only God is to be worshipped". The devil then went away.
Jesus, please protect us from Satan and from evil

Listen

Reflection on the above readings:  "Evil is not merely an absence of something but an active force, a living, spiritual being that is perverted and that perverts others. It is a terrible reality, mysterious and frightening" - Pope Paul VI,  Nov 15, 1972

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Guaranteed to put a smile on every face:  Kookaburras laughing (4.7m. views)

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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 12th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Jiangsu

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,
Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Anti-drug campaign trips:

Europe: 
Many reports of 2026 trip here (Jan 6 - Feb 7)

 

   Africa: 

2020: My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg 

Jan 1, 2020: How cocaine trafficking is impacting West Africa 

2017: My trip to Southern Africa, Dubai ( The Last Run)

April 4, 2016: BBC video report (3 mins) about East African drug mules going to HK ...and my anti-drug campaign

2016: My trip to Kenya, Uganda

2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi

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 Latin America:

     2019-05-10: No More Mules Peru FB boost 199,000 views!

 2019-01-20: Article in El Pais, Uruguay - 01 02

2018-09-18: No More Mules Facebook campaign - more than 300,000 people reached in Venezuela

2018: My trip to Latin America

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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

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HK-map-Asia.jpg (153861 bytes)

Hong Kong:

July 2019: My warning to HK domestic helpers - published here in HK Filipino media

 2018-09-22: My 60 min video interview with Radio99, in Cantonese, is here: 01 02 to help stop people going to prison

2018-07-29: SCMP- Beware drug lords luring domestic helpers, refugees into narcotics trade

2018-04-08: The Pearl Report on TVB - concerning HK's Long Term Sentencing Review Board and my anti-drug campaign 

March 18, 2018: South China Morning Post report on my work

2017-09-27: SCMP Spirit of HK Awards (video starts after 20 secs)

2017-08-24: Cable TV video report on my anti-drug campaign and a Facebook report on the video report (click "translation" for English)

2017-05-17: SCMP - The prison chaplain who has stopped 150 drug mules reaching HK

2017-03-25: Oriental Daily report of case of South African woman given discount for help to my campaign *** May 14 updates: Oriental Daily, Sing Tao

Dec 1, 2016 - HK News: More women being recruited as drug mules

2016-10-13: HK01 report about campaign and about work for the poor

2016-09-11: Oriental Daily report about my campaign - and same day Editorial

2016-08-27: Oriental Daily article about court case and campaign

July 16, 2017: Stay away - letter writing by South American inmates in HK is deterring drug trafficking, says prison chaplain

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My anti-drug campaign sites 
(skillfully managed by kind HK friends):

www.voiceforprisoners.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasmulas/

Facebook: Chinese no more mules page

http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm

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Photos from my time in China 2001-20008

Other photos 1957 to present

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Archive

Best of Smiles

Classics

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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 page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this main/index page. Visits to other pages and to Facebook page are not recorded. This site's 2017 statistics. Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!                          counter for tumblr    

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 Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡 頌 恆 神 父   
 jdwomi@gmail.com  HK mobile  +852- 67095674 
PO Box 74013 Kowloon Central Post Office, Hong Kong  
                     

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