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
Mon Sep 21
MercyHK's Shirley Lee gave another beautiful sharing at my 8.30 Mass at St
Paul's Parish, Yau Ma Tei yesterday morning .... at which everyone in the
congregation received a copy of the
recently printed Chinese edition of the Simple Bible Gospel ... and after
which Shirley's accompanying group of homeless people adjourned to nearby
McDonald's for our usual happy breakfast
Many
years ago when I had a holiday in Australia I took part in a
Terry Fox run on the Gold Coast
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israeli
President pardons man who shot dead wounded
Palestinian
110. Finally, I would like to employ the expression “to disarm,” which is close to my heart. Disarming AI means freeing it from the mentality of “armed” competition, which today is not limited simply to the military context, but is also an economic and cognitive phenomenon. This entails a race for ever more powerful algorithms and larger datasets, driven by the desire to secure geopolitical or commercial dominance. To disarm means discrediting the assumption that technical power automatically confers the right to govern. To disarm does not mean rejecting technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity. It means freeing technology from monopolistic control and opening it to discussion and debate, therefore making it human-friendly and restoring it to the plurality of human cultures and ways of life. Our task today is not only ethical or technical. It is ecological in the deepest sense, for it concerns a new dimension of our common home. AI is already an environment in which we are immersed, as well as a force with which we must engage. For this reason, merely regulating it is insufficient; it must be disarmed, welcoming and accessible.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Feast of St
Matthew
Isaiah
51-52: Pay
attention to me, you peoples. Listen to me, you nations. The islands put their
hope in the Lord. They put their trust in his strength. How
beautiful on the mountains are the feet of one who brings good news, who
proclaims peace and salvation, and tells Zion "Your God is king!"
Break into shouts of joy, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord is redeeming his
people. All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Lord, may more and more people in more and more countries know you and love
you.
My
recording of this reading
Psalm 117: O
Praise the Lord, all you nations. Acclaim him, all you peoples! Strong is
his love for us. He is faithful for ever.
May all the nations love and praise you, Lord
Recording
Ephesians
4.1-16: I implore you to lead
a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete
selflessness, gentleness and patience. If
we live by the truth and in love, we shall become more and more like Christ.
We are parts of the Body of Christ. Christ is the head. Each part must do its
bit to keep the Body healthy and growing in love.
Jesus, help me understand how the Church is your Body
Recording
Matthew
9.9-13: One day when Jesus
was walking past a customs house he said to a
tax collector named Matthew
"Follow me". Matthew got up and followed Jesus. Matthew invited
Jesus and Jesus' friends to a dinner in his house. Some tax collectors and
"bad" people sat at Jesus' table. Religious leaders saw this and
complained to Jesus' friends "Why does your master eat with tax collectors
and bad people?" Jesus' answer was "It is not the healthy who need the
doctor, but the sick. Go and think about the Bible words 'What I want is mercy,
not sacrifice'. I have a special concern for rejects and down-and-outs."
Jesus, please help religious leaders in today's world to care more about
people who are rejected by society
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
-------------------------
My
team, the Brisbane Lions won
their semi-final last Saturday, and now will be in the Grand Final this
coming Saturday!
--------------------
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 21st of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Yunnan
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Afghanistan
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Sep 20
My
interview with man from Mainland now on bail, soon to be sentenced for a money
laundering charge after being tricked to give his bank info to a scammer: 
,
,
109. The principles of Social Doctrine offer a framework for understanding this new reality. In a world where data, computational resources and regulatory influence remain in the hands of a few, to speak of the common good means exposing this new form of epistemic, economic and political asymmetry and naming the new monopolies of AI. To speak of the universal destination of goods means finding ways of ensuring universal access to both technologies and the education needed to use them. To speak of subsidiarity calls for protecting the ability of communities to make choices and corrections, rather than confining their role to mere oversight after the standards have been set elsewhere. To speak of solidarity obliges us to recognize the hidden, often exploited workers, who sustain algorithmic systems. To speak of justice requires questioning the global distribution of power that decides who in fact can train these models and who is merely subjected to them. Likewise, it means acknowledging that social justice is not only a goal to be safeguarded after technologies are deployed, but a condition that must shape their very design from the outset.
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Sunday 25
Isaiah
54-55: Though the mountains
may fall and the hills turn to dust, the love of the Lord will never cease. O
come to the water, all you are thirsty, though you have no money, come. Why
spend your money on what is useless, your wages on what fails to satisfy? Seek
the Lord while he is to be found. Call to him while he is near.
Lord, please help us give more time to things that are important ....and
less time to things that are not so important
My
recording of this reading
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
Listen
Philippians
1.13-25: My chains have
become famous and have given courage to many other believers. Many others are
now becoming more daring in announcing the Message without fear. I hope and
trust that I will always have courage for Christ to be glorified in my body,
whether by my life or by my death. My
heart wants to go two ways. One part wants to depart this world and
live for ever with Christ in heaven. The other part wants to stay in this world
to help more people to know the Lord.
Jesus, give me courage in spreading the Good News
Listen
Matthew
20.1-16: Jesus said to his
disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to
hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them the normal daily wage. Then
about 9am he went again to the market place. He saw more men without a job.
He got them also to go to his vineyard. He promised to pay them a fair wage.
About noon and again about 3pm he once more went to the market place and
employed two more groups of men. About 5pm he went one final time and employed
one last group of men. At sunset when the men came to be paid, the owner paid
everyone a normal day's wage. This made the dawn group unhappy. They grumbled
and said "We have done a full day's work in the heat. Yet we got the same
as those who did only one hour's work. This is not fair!" The owner replied
"I am paying you what we agreed to. Why
do you begrudge my generosity?"
Jesus, please help me not to be jealous of your
gifts to others
Listen
Reflection on the above readings:
Some people "enter the kingdom" by water baptism or "baptism of desire" from their earliest childhood days. Others when they are teenagers, others when adults, others in old age. It's never too early ...or too late...to become friends with God. As long as we are alive in this world, God tries to establish/protect/restore/improve our friendship/love for him.
-------------------------------
Yesterday
I saw sign on shop in Nathan Road: "Closed today for wedding of Boss's
son"!
------------------------------
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 20th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sichuan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Sudan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Sep 19
Yesterday at breakfast I watched this excellent video: The
Empty Fishing Net (and see my comment)
Wonderful
letter by UK Prime Minister about UK energy project!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Run,
get away!- Israeli double strike that killed child and medic in Gaza
108. In fact, as with every major technological shift, AI tends to amplify the power of those who already possess economic resources, expertise and access to data. In light of the common good and the universal destination of goods, this raises serious concerns, since small but highly influential groups can shape information and consumption patterns, influence democratic processes and steer economic dynamics to their own advantage, undermining social justice and solidarity among peoples. For this reason, it is essential that the use of AI, especially when it touches on public goods and fundamental rights, be guided by clear criteria and effective oversight, grounded in participation and subsidiarity. Communities and intermediary organizations must not be reduced to passive recipients of decisions made elsewhere; they must be able to contribute to discernment and oversight. Moreover, ownership of data cannot be left solely in private hands but must be appropriately regulated. Data is the product of many contributors and should not be treated as something to be sold off or entrusted to a select few. It is necessary to think creatively in order to manage data as a common or shared good, in a spirit of participation, as Saint John Paul II already suggested regarding collective goods.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Joshua
5: The kings of the
Jordan area
heard that the Lord had
dried up the Jordan's waters
to let the Israelites cross over.
The kings became very afraid of the Israelites. At Gilgal near the
Jordan
the Lord instructed Joshua
that all un-circumcised men should be circumcised. It was at Gilgal that
the Israelites kept the Passover Feast
and tasted the produce of the land.
As soon as the Israelites tasted the produce of the land,
the manna stopped falling.
Dear
God, thank you for all you did for the Israelites
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
7: Lord God, I take refuge in
you.
Please rescue me from people who are trying to hurt me. Lord, please stop bad people from doing bad
things.
Please help good people to keep on doing good things.
Lord, I will sing to you and thank you for
your goodness to me.
Lord, please help me to avoid
evil and to do good
Listen
Romans
8.9-13:
You are on God's team. God the Father is the
manager.
Jesus is the captain. The Holy Spirit is the coach, a coach
living in your heart. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the
dead, is living in you,
then he who raised Jesus from the dead will help
you live a risen life. By the grace of the Holy Spirit you can stop
doing bad things
Holy Spirit of Jesus, Holy Spirit of the
Father, fall afresh on me!
Listen
Luke
1.46-56: Mary said "My soul praises the
greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior. Starting
from today, all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has
done great things for me". Mary stayed with Elizabeth about 3 months and
then went home.
Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives shared her joy.
When the child was circumcised on the 8th day, he was given the name John.
Jesus, please bless all women who are having a
baby today
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Yes indeed, all generations have called Mary "blessed"
---------------------------
After breakfast yesterday, while doing office work until
lunch time, I had this
most beautiful music as inspiring background!
------------------------------
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 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shanxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Haiti
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Sep 18
At yesterday's usual Thursday lunchtime gathering for homeless
and formerly homeless people at the Dr. Jesus Centre in Temple Street, a special
guest was Deacon Edwin Ng who was instrumental in the foundation work that led
to the setting up of MercyHK in 2017. In fact, there is a photo displayed at the
Dr Jesus Centre of a Sunday afternoon "Pizza gathering" in my
subdivided flat in 2010 showing Deacon Edwin and one of yesterday's formerly
homeless man.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
US
was responsible for Iran school bombing - report
107. We cannot be satisfied with merely calling for the moralization of machines — the so-called “alignment” of AI with human values — without also having the courage to insist on a further condition: the possibility of openly discussing the ethical frameworks involved and subjecting them to shared standards of social justice. Otherwise, those who control AI will impose their own moral vision, which will become the invisible infrastructure of these systems. A more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few. What is needed is a more active political involvement that is capable of slowing things down when everything is accelerating, and of protecting the opportunities for communities still to be able to participate and ask questions.
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Joshua 4: After the Israelites
crossed the Jordan River,
Joshua selected 12 men, one from each tribe,
and told them to get 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan. The 12 stones
were set up at Gilgal, east of Jericho, as a reminder of how God had helped the Israelites
cross the river. When children in the
future asked
"What do these stones mean?"
parents were to answer:
"The waters of the Jordan separated and stopped flowing
when the Lord's Sacred Chest entered the river.
These 12 stones are a permanent reminder of this." As soon as
the
Israelites had finished crossing the Jordan,
its waters immediately started flowing again.
Dear
Lord, please don't let me ever forget
the many times you have helped me cross "Jordan" rivers
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
6: Have mercy on me, Lord, I have no strength.
My body is racked with pain. Please heal me,
Lord. I am exhausted with my groaning.
Every night my pillow is covered with tears. Lord, please hear my prayer.
Dear Lord, please help people who are in distress of mind or body
Listen
Romans
7.14-25: Even though I'm on God's team, I don't always
play as well as I should.
At times I cannot understand my behavior. I
fail to do good things, and I find myself doing bad things. It's as if there is a battle going on inside
me. In my heart I dearly love God,
but my will is weak, and I
do things that I know are wrong. Who can help me keep going? Who can fix up
things in my life? Jesus can. He is the one who sorts out things
in my life,
and changes chaos into order, by the working of the Holy
Spirit
Jesus, my life is in your hands. Please
arrange my life the way you want to
Listen
Luke
1.39-45: As soon as she could and as quickly as she
could, Mary went to Elizabeth's home in the hills near Jerusalem.
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in Elizabeth's womb
jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth said to Mary "Of all women, you
are the most blessed,
and blessed is the baby in your womb. Why should I be honored with a
visit from the mother of my Lord? Blessed are you for believing
God's promise"
Mary, blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: When Jesus comes near, he makes our hearts jump!
-------------------------
I was hoping to go to a prison today but I need to stay
home and catch up on many desk jobs on behalf of prisoners!
-------------------------
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 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, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Sep 17
Yesterday
I was at the District Court for two cases, one a pre-trial, the other Day Two of
a trial. And see 
below!
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Trump
to resume delivery of 2,000lb bombs to Israel SHAME, USA, SHAME, SHAME,
SHAME!
Protesters
tortured in Iran ((Iran and Israel both have evil aspects))
106. Calling for prudence, rigorous evaluation and even, at times, a slower pace in adopting AI does not mean opposing progress; instead, it is an exercise of responsible care for the human family. This need is all the more urgent given the frequent imbalance between the speed of technological growth and the slower development of awareness, norms, safeguards and institutions capable of governing its effects. It is not enough to invoke ethics in the abstract; robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility are required. Otherwise, change will be governed only by technocratic thinking and presented as necessary and inevitable, ultimately imposing rules shaped by those who control data, infrastructure and computing power.
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Joshua 3: Instructed by the Lord,
Joshua told the people to go to the bank of the Jordan River.
He told the priests carrying the Sacred Chest
to stand in the river on the edge of the water.
As soon as the feet of the priests touched the water,
the river stopped flowing.
The people then went across the dry river bed towards Jericho.
Dear God,
please help me to cross rivers of difficulty, doubt, conflict etc
Recording
Psalm 5: At the start of this day I pray to you, O
Lord, my King and my God. I offer you my prayer and ask for your
help. Through the greatness of your love, I have
access to your friendship. I bow down in reverence and worship. Lead me, Lord, in the way you want me to go.
It is you, Lord, who bless good people.
You surround them with favors, as with a shield.
Lord, I adore you as my Creator
Recording
Romans 6.12-23: Do not let sin control your life. Always
remember which team you play for: God's Grace Guys, not Satan's Sin Side. Playing for
SSS is a recipe for death.
Playing
for GGG leads to eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
Jesus, please help me remember I'm on your
team
Listen
Luke 1.26-38: In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy,
God sent the angel
Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary who was
betrothed to a man named Joseph. The angel said to her "Mary, Rejoice! You
have been greatly blessed by God. You are to conceive and have a son
whom you must name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of
God". Mary said to the angel, "How can this
happen since I am a virgin?"
The angel replied "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the
power of the Most High will specially bless you. Know this too: your
cousin Elizabeth has, in her old age, conceived a son, and is now in her
sixth month". "I am the handmaid of the Lord", said Mary, "let what
you have said, be done for me". And the angel left her
God the Son, thank you for becoming a baby in Mary's womb
01
02
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Bible scholars say that Mary was probably around 15-16 years old
---------------
Yesterday at the District Court, the air conditioning in my
second court was very cold ....no wonder the barristers wear warm wigs to
protect their heads
--------------------
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 17th 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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Sep 16
Today I'm due to be at the District Court for "a
hearing" of another of my bail-surety cases. Yesterday afternoon I joined a
special meeting for some staff of my NGO Voice For Prisoners.
Yesterday morning some MercyHK staff took part in a sharing at HK
Wah Yan College, encouraging the students to keep increasing their concern
and help for needy people
105. For AI to respect human dignity and truly serve the common good, responsibility must be clearly defined at every stage: from those who design and develop these systems to those who use them and rely on them for concrete decisions. In many cases, however, the internal processes leading to a result remain opaque, making it harder to assign responsibility and correct errors. This is where accountability becomes crucial: the possibility of identifying who must “account” for decisions, justify them, monitor them, and, when necessary, challenge them and remedy any harm caused
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Joshua 2:
Joshua sent two men as
spies to explore the Jericho area.
In Jericho they went to the house of Rahab the prostitute.
The king of Jericho was told about this and he sent men to capture the two Israelites.
But Rahab hid the men
and told the king that they had already gone.
Rahab said to the men in their hiding place on her roof:
"I know that the Lord has given you this land.
My people are afraid of you. We have heard how the
Lord dried up the sea for your crossing
out of Egypt. We have heard how you defeated the 2 kings Sihon and Og. Since I have shown you
kindness
I now ask you to show kindness to my family
and spare their lives when you attack this city."
The men agreed and told Rahab
to tie a scarlet cord to her window
so the Israelites would know her family were inside. Rahab helped the men go down from the
window by a rope.
The men stayed in the nearby hills for 3 days until it was safe to leave. The men returned to Joshua and told how the people of Jericho
were already trembling at the thought of an Israelite attack.
Lord,
please bless all women and girls caught up in prostitution
01
02
Psalm 4: At the end of this day I praise you, Lord,
for all your love and help. O people of the world, how long will you close
your hearts to God?
How long you will keep on chasing false goals? Lord, you have put into my heart a joy that
cannot be obtained by big meals and plenty of wine. I will lie
down in peace and sleep comes at
once,
for you, Lord, make me dwell in safety and peace
Thank you, Lord, for your love
and help right through today
Listen
Romans
6.3-11: When we were baptized, two things
happened:
1: We went into Jesus' tomb and joined him in death. We died.
2: We rose from the dead with Jesus. We came back to life
This dying and rising means we have died to
sin, and risen to a new life.
We died to an old life, and we came
back to a new life.
We have been re-born, born again
Jesus, please help me leave my old life
behind. Help me live a new life with you
Listen
Luke
1.5-25: When Herod was king of Judea, there was a
priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who were really good people,
but they were childless.
Once when they went to the Temple in Jerusalem, Zechariah entered the
inner sanctuary to burn incense, while all the people prayed outside. An
angel appeared and said "Zechariah, your prayer has been heard. Your
wife will have a son and you must name him John.
He will prepare the way of the Lord". Not
long after this, Elizabeth conceived, and for 5 months she kept to
herself, thanking God for taking away her humiliation at not being able to
have a baby
Jesus, please help childless couples to have a baby
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Every Christian is meant to be like John the Baptist ... preparing the way of Jesus
---------------------------
Baptism the theme of today's readings from Romans,
followed by Luke's account of birth of John the
Baptist
-------------------------
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 10th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Hubei
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 10th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
Tues Sep 15
This morning I'm due to be at the District Court for
day one of the trial of one of my bail cases ...followed by a visit to the High
Court to make application for "variation of bail conditions" for
another one of my bail cases, followed by a Voice for Prisoners meeting at the
Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street, followed at the same centre by the usual
Tuesday evening gathering for Nepal drug addicts.
104. From this follows a simple but compelling consequence: we cannot consider AI to be morally neutral. In reality, every technical tool embodies choices and priorities through what it measures, ignores and optimizes, and how it classifies people and situations. If a system is designed or used in a way that treats some lives as less worthy, or excludes them without the possibility of appeal, then it is not merely a tool “to be used well,” since it has already introduced criteria that contradict the inalienable dignity of the human person. For this reason, ethical discernment cannot be limited to asking whether we are using a system for good or bad purposes; it must also examine how that system is designed and what vision of the human person and society is embedded in the data and models that guide it.
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Israeli
Gaza attack murders pregnant mother and baby
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Readings
for Feast of Mary of Sorrows (to go with yesterday's Feast of the Cross of
Jesus)
Hebrews 5.7-9: During his life on earth, Christ
offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud
and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of
death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was
Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he
became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
My
recording of this reading
.jpg)
Psalm 31: In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, hear me and speedily rescue me. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my rock, my stronghold. Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord. I trust in you, Lord. You are my God. My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.
Luke 2.33-35: As
the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were
being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: "You
see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in
Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - and
a sword will pierce your own soul too - so that the secret thoughts
of many may be laid bare."
Recording
John
19.25-27: Near
the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's
sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the
disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, this
is your son". Then to the disciple he said, "This is your
mother". And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home
Recording
Reflection on the above Bible readings:
A traditional prayer on this day: The Stabat Mater which has the words:
O
dear Mother, fount of love.
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:
Make
me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.
------------------------------
Last night as I got the MTR from Tok Wa Wan back to Jordan
I remembered this
article (item B)I wrote in 2015!
-------------------------------
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 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, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Sep 14
As the world gets crazier and ever more complicated, one thing we
can do is to wear a sign of hope, Jesus' Cross .... about which see readings
below for today's Feast of the Cross
US-sponsored
Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:
Israeli
soldier filmed shooting Palestinian in leg in West Bank
103. Indeed, entrusting an algorithm in practice with the power to select who is worthy or not, without anyone bearing responsibility for that judgment, is to hand over the task of redefining the boundaries of human possibilities. In this process, political responsibility is also lost, not just empathy toward those excluded, which can, after all, be simulated. The exclusion of the vulnerable becomes cloaked in a veneer of neutrality and objectivity, against which it becomes difficult to raise objections. In this way, injustice goes unnoticed, and compassion, mercy and forgiveness — understood not as mere appearances but as real political actions — gradually disappear from view.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Readings for Feast
of The Cross
Numbers 21: In
order to avoid the land of Edom, the Israelites headed towards the coastline.
But the people again criticized God and Moses. So God sent snakes among the
people, and many people died. The people then said to Moses "We have
sinned; please pray for us to save us". Moses prayed for them, and God
heard his prayer. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone
bitten by a snake could then look at the bronze snake and live.
Jesus' words (John 3.13): "The
Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so
that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him".
Recording
Psalm
78: May future generations
not be like our ancestors who so often were unfaithful to God. Even though our
ancestors had seen God part the sea, even though they had seen him provide food
and water for them in
the desert, still they went on sinning. Yet he who is full of compassion
forgave and spared them. He remembered they were only weak humans. Eventually he
brought them to the promised land and gave a home to each of Israel's tribes.
But still they sinned by building mountain shrines and serving idols. Then God
raised up David to be their leader. God called him from looking after sheep to
be the shepherd of his people.
Lord, help us not to forget all you have done for us
Recording
Philippians
2.6-11: His state
was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God, but
emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and
became as humans are. And being as all humans are, he was humbler yet, even to
accepting death, death
on a cross. But God raised him high, and gave him the name which is
above all other names, so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the
underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus, and that every tongue
should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Recording (song: The
Philippians Hymn)
John
3.13-17: Jesus said
to Nicodemus: "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down
from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the
Son of Man must be lifted up, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him". Yes, God
loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his
Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world
might be saved.
Jesus, only Son of God the Father,
thank you for coming into this world. Please help more and more people believe
in you
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Wear a Cross!
-------------------------
MercyHK's
canteen in Temple Street now has the most beautiful Banana Split, with 3
servings of ice cream!
--------------------
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 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, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
-
----------------------
----------------------------
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
