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
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
----------------------------
Wed Aug 26
Last night at the Dr Jesus Centre about 20 men and women attended
the weekly gathering for Nepal friends affected by drug use. As usual the
gathering followed a nice meal at a local Yau Ma Tei canteen.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Guardian
Gaza documentary
88. For the Christian community, solidarity finds its source in the mystery of Christ and is nourished by the Eucharist. Solidarity emerges from communion in faith and the Sacraments: Baptism and Confirmation unite us in Christ, so that we may become one Body and one Spirit, one heart and one soul (cf. Eph 4:4; Acts 4:32). The Eucharist, which is the sacrament of unity, nurtures our belonging to the Body of Christ and teaches us how to share. The diverse sensibilities present in the Church and the strong convictions that animate each person are a source of richness if they remain anchored in the certainty that unity is a gift received and a responsibility to be fulfilled.
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Deuteronomy 10:
Moses continued his
speech to the people:
"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you?
Only this: to love and honor the Lord, to follow all his ways,
to serve him with all your heart and all your soul,
to keep the commandments and laws of the Lord
that for your good I set before you today.
Circumcise your heart and be obstinate no longer.
The Lord your God is great and good.
He it is you must praise, he is your God.
It is he who sees justice done for the orphan and widow,
who loves the stranger and gives him food and clothing.
You too must love the stranger,
for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt."
Dear Lord, please help me love you as I should
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
136: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his great love is without end. It was his wisdom which made the skies,
for his great love is without end. It was he who made the sun, moon and stars,
for his great love is without end. It was he who rescued and protected his people
Israel,
for his great love is without end. He gives food to all living things,
for his great love is without end. To the God of heaven give thanks,
for his great love is without end.
We praise you, Lord, for your
great love is without end
Listen
Acts
27.21-37: Paul then spoke to everyone: Don't despair.
There will be no loss of life. Last night an angel of God said to me:
"Do not be afraid, Paul. You are destined to go to Rome. Therefore
God grants you the safety of all who are sailing with you". On the 14th day, Paul took some bread, gave
thanks to God in front of them all, broke it and gave it to everyone
to eat. This gave them courage. There were 276 of them on the ship
Jesus, thank you for the courage that
Communion gives us
Listen
Luke
23.50-56: Joseph from the town of Arimathaea was a
member of the religious leaders' council. He was a good and just man, and
had not agreed to the killing of Jesus. Late Friday afternoon, he went to Governor
Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He took it down from the cross,
wrapped it in a burial cloth, and put it in a rock tomb that had not yet
been used. The women from Galilee who had come to
Jerusalem with Jesus went with Joseph to the tomb. Then they left to
prepare burial spices and ointments. They planned to put these on Jesus'
body after the Saturday Sabbath day of rest
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal life to
all the dead
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: The burial
cloth = The Shroud =
The Silent Witness
1979 documentary)
---------------------------
Dr Jesus Centre is 187 Temple Street, my home is 197,
MercyHK Nathan Road cetnre is 557.... and now Aitece English Corner in Temple St
is 147 ..... reminds me that in the Bible "7" is a perfect
number!
-------------------------
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 26th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Xinjiang
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 26th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Madagascar
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Aug 25
Yesterday, with the help of MercyHK's Lucia and Michael, and
after consultation with Aitece fellow directors Eva and Louis, I signed a three
year contract with the owner of the G/F shop at 147 Temple Street, Jordan (a few
minutes from our canteen and Dr Jesus centres), for 147 to be rented by Aitece
as an English Corner, especially for people from the Mainland. Thank
you Jesus! Renovations will take about 6 weeks
and we hope the English Corner can start operating about the middle of October
How
Ebola in Congo can be stopped
87. With this in mind, subsidiarity becomes the guiding principle for governance and pastoral life. It involves recognizing and supporting the faithful and intermediary ecclesial organizations as they carry out their responsibilities, valuing charisms and skills and avoiding any form of paternalism that suffocates evangelical freedom. In practical terms, the participation of the baptized in decision-making processes and their shared responsibility in the mission are achieved through genuine, rather than merely nominal, participatory bodies.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Priests
against genocide (I signed earlier this year. But I am not able to attend
the 22/9 gathering)
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Deuteronomy
9: Moses continued his
speech to the people:
"Listen, Israel, you are soon to cross the Jordan River,
to dispossess nations greater and stronger than yourself.
Know that the Lord your God will go in front of you.
So often in the past you forgot the Lord.
So often you were rebels and did not obey the Lord.
In future you must rebel no more."
Dear
Lord, please don't let me ever rebel against you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
135: Praise the name of the
Lord,
praise him, servants of the Lord. Praise the Lord for he is good.
Sing a psalm to his name for he is loving. I know the Lord is great. He does whatever he
wills
in heaven, on earth, in the seas. Pagan idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths but they cannot speak.
They have eyes but they cannot see. Sons of Israel, do not trust in useless idols.
Sons of Aaron, trust only in our Creator and Lord.
Dear Lord, please help people
who worship idols to know and love you
Listen
Acts
27.9-20: Navigation at that time of the year was
dangerous, since winter was starting. But the ship's captain set sail
hoping to reach Phoenix, a harbor in Crete. Suddenly a fierce storm began and the ship
could not be turned head-on to the wind. We had to let ourselves be driven
by the wind. The ship was badly damaged by the storm. On
the second day, the cargo was dumped overboard. For several days both sun stars were invisible
as the storm raged. We lost all
hope of surviving
Jesus, help sailors who are in danger
at sea today
Listen
John
19.31-37:
The next day was the Passover. To prevent the
bodies remaining on the crosses during the Passover, the soldiers broke
the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he
was already dead. Instead of breaking his legs, they pierced his side with a spear. Immediately there came out blood and
water. And so the Scriptures were fulfilled "Not
one of his bones will be broken" and "They will look on the one
they have pierced"
Jesus, please help me understand how blood and
water are symbols of the Eucharist and Baptism
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Genesis
has Eve born from the side of Adam. Some Bible scholars see the Church being
born from the pierced side of Jesus
------------------------------
True story ...there's a church in HK .. not Catholic
...where they have fellowship before the Sunday service ...including free
coffee, to help those attending stay awake during the very long sermons!
-------------------------------
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 25th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ningxia
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Lesotho
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
-----------------------
----------------------------
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
