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  

My other sites/links    

JT C8   

Tues June 16

Last Sunday night Lucia Leung, Michael Mak and I represented MercyHK at the annual dinner of HK"s Catholic Doctors Association ....and we shared about the work of MHK, inviting the doctors to join us in dreaming and praying about the possibility of a MHK clinic or dispensary in Temple Street


Pope's AI letter

17. In this first chapter, I intend to present synthetically how the Social Doctrine of the Church has taken shape in the recent Papal Magisterium and in the Second Vatican Council, in order to demonstrate its dynamic character. Indeed, in each era the res novae require that this teaching address historical questions in the light of revealed Truth. In this regard, artificial intelligence, too, should not be considered as merely yet another theme to be studied or a crisis to be managed, but rather as a development that challenges the categories of Social Doctrine from within, calling for their further development in fidelity to the Gospel.

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon

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

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

Exodus 25: God said to Moses: "Build me a sacred tent so that I may live among the people
Let everyone follow the promptings of their heart in making contributions for the building of the temple. Make a sacred chest (ark) to hold the stone tablets on which are the Ten Commandments,
Aaron's rod and some manna. Also make a table for the bread of offering, and a golden lamp-stand."

Dear God, thank you for churches and other special places for prayer

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. All day long my tongue will tell of your goodness to me.
Lord, may all elderly people put their trust and hope in you

Listen

 

Acts 5.12-16: All the believers used to meet regularly in an area of the Temple. Their numbers kept on increasing. So many miracles kept happening that sick people were laid on beds on the street, in the hope that at least Peter's shadow would cover them as he walked past. People came from the towns near Jerusalem, bringing their sick, and all of the sick were healed
Jesus, let more healings take place in our day

Listen


Matthew 19.27-29: On behalf of all the disciples, Peter asked Jesus "What about us?  We have left everything to follow you." Jesus replied "You will be leaders in the church on earth. Also, anyone who has left home, family or country for the sake of my name, will receive a 100-fold blessing in this life, and will also receive eternal life in Heaven."
Jesus, please bless all Gospel workers

Listen

Reflection on the above readings: In 1 Corinthians 9.5 Paul says that Peter's wife travelled with him ... so "we have left everything" needs to be carefully understood

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

 A big job finished yesterday afternoon: the copying, filing and mailing of Chinese University study course receipts to 120 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: 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 16th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Qinghai

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, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

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

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

Mon June 15

 

I am going to be seriously distracted for the coming week or two...  or three! 


  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:  Red Cross - Thousands buried in Gaza rubble may never be identified

 


Pope's AI letter

16. I address this heartfelt appeal to all the Catholic faithful, to all Christians and to all men and women of goodwill. Let us not be afraid to get our hands dirty on the “construction site” of our time. Like Nehemiah, let us pray, plan wisely and work perseveringly, placing God at the forefront of our actions and the human person at the center of our choices. Thus, the “rejected stones” — the poor, the sick, the migrants and the least among us — will become the cornerstone, and a solid, welcoming common home will emerge on the earth, where love and faithfulness will finally meet, and righteousness and peace will embrace (cf. Ps 85:10). This is the blessing we implore from God; and the task that stands before us is that of being builders of communion, rather than architects of Babel. We are to be servants of the coming Kingdom, instead of lords of towers destined for ruin. With the heart of a shepherd and a father, I ask everyone to abandon the construction of yet another Tower of Babel and to join forces in building up the common good, so that humanity will never lose its beauty, and the world once again will come to recognize the human heart as the place where God desires to dwell.

 ------------------------

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

Exodus 24: God invited Moses, Aaron, Nadab and 70 other men to see him face to face. They saw God face to face and ate and drank in his presence. Under God's feet the ground was like a pure blue jewel. God then invited Moses to go up the mountain. A cloud covered the mountain
and for 6 days the glory of the Lord settled on the mountain. On the seventh day God spoke with Moses inside the cloud. Moses stayed on the mountain for about 40 days. 

Dear God, thank you for times of prayer

My recording of this reading

 

Psalms 69-70: Save me, O God, for the waters have risen to my neck. I am sinking fast and can't keep afloat much longer. So many people hate me without cause. I have no more strength to resist them. May my situation not cause anyone to lose faith in you. May people realize that it is for your sake that I am taunted. Taunts have broken my heart. No one shows me any compassion. For food they give me poison. In my thirst they give me vinegar to drink. Lord, do not hide your face from your servant. Answer quickly for I am in distress. You are my rescuer, my help, O God. O Lord, do not delay to help me. 
O God come to our assistance. Lord make haste to help us

Recording

Acts 4.32-37: The apostles continued to witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power. The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul. They willingly shared everything they had with people who were in need. Joseph was a Temple minister who had been born in Cyprus. He sold a field he owned, and gave the proceeds to the apostles. The apostles called him "Barnabas" ("Son of Encouragement")
Jesus, help me to be more caring and sharing

Listen


Luke 13.10-17: One Sabbath day Jesus was teaching in a prayer hall. There was a woman there who for 18 years had been possessed by a spirit which left her bent over and unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said "Woman, you are rid of your infirmity" and he laid his hands on her. At once she was healed and could stand up straight, and she glorified God
Jesus, please heal the people I know who are bent over and can't stand up straight

Listen

 

Reflection on the above readings: The reading from Acts reminds us that right from its very beginning, Christanity has been about caring and sharing

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

  Irankunda ....born in Tanzania from Burundi refugee parents ...moved to Australia as baby .... his World Cup goal will give anti-migrant extremists something to think about!

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

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 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,
Monday, please pacify I.S.

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

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

Sun June 14

  Elderly Italian man in prison for drug trafficking from Amsterdam

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:  Israel murders 5 more people in Lebanon


Pope's AI letter

15. In the recent Ordinary Jubilee Year of 2025, we walked as pilgrims of hope and were blessed with many graces. Strengthened by these gifts, we can move forward with confidence to face the arduous tasks and demanding challenges that lie ahead. In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace. True progress always stems from a heart open to others, an intelligence willing to listen and a will that seeks what unites rather than what separates.

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

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

c.f. readings for Sunday 11

Exodus 19.2-6: 

From Rephidim the sons of Israel set out again; and when they reached the wilderness of Sinai, there in the wilderness they pitched their camp; there facing the mountain Israel pitched camp. Moses then went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Say this to the House of Jacob, declare this to the sons of Israel, "You yourselves have seen what I did with the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself. From this you know that now, if you obey my voice and hold fast to my covenant, you of all the nations shall be my very own for all the earth is mine. I will count you a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation.""

 

Psalm 100: Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his flock. Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his temple with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age. 
Dear Lord, please help us to serve you with gladness

 Listen

 

1 Peter 5.1-4: To those of you who are elders I say: I am an elder myself, a witness to the sufferings of Christ. Be good shepherds of the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it, not simply as a duty, or for sordid money, but gladly, because that's what God wants you to do. Never be a dictator over any group that is in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory
Jesus, help pastors and elders be good shepherds

 Listen


 

Matthew 9.35-37: Jesus went to many towns and villages. In the local prayer halls he taught people the Good News of God's kingdom. He healed all sorts of diseases and sicknesses. He felt sorry for the ordinary people because they were like sheep without a shepherd - leaderless, exploited, and feeling hopeless. He said to his friends: "So many people don't have good leaders. Pray to God to send good leaders". 
Jesus, many countries have bad leaders. Please help every country to have good leaders

 Listen

 

Reflection: Let's daily pray for the leaders in one part of the world ...e.g. Sunday I pray for Africa's leaders; Monday for leaders of Europe etc

 

Bible Claret Reflection

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

  Even though heavy rain yesterday afternoon, 16 of us attended the weekly 3pm Mass for healing, especially for cancer patients, at the Dr Jesus Centre

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

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 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, Sunday, please bless all Muslims in my country

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

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

Sat June 13

Please God, weather permitting, a hike on Friday June 19 (Dragon Boat public holiday) to Lamma Island, following this route.  Get 10.20am ferry from Central Pier to Sok Ku Wan (not to Yung Shue Wan!). Meet at pier before 10am2024 photos. Umbrella, water, swimming gear...

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Video of visually impaired Gaza boy gets millions of views


Pope's AI letter

14.
Finally, building for the common good requires an evangelical language. We must avoid humiliating or antagonistic words, opting rather for a clarity that sheds light and a frankness that unlocks new possibilities. We cannot condone naïve enthusiasms, nor fuel unfounded fears. Instead, let us establish standards for discernment — the dignity of the human person, the universal destination of goods, the preferential option for the poor, care for our common home and peace — and let us translate these standards into practices such as responsible planning, the assessment of human and social impact, the inclusion of the most vulnerable, the promotion of digital literacy and guiding research and industry toward justice and peace.  
("evangelical" a strange word here? ..a mistranslation?)

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

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

Exodus 23: Moses told the people: "Don't be unfair to anyone, friend or foe. Work for six days, then rest on the seventh day. Work your land for six years, then let the land rest and recover in the seventh year. Three times a year you must celebrate special feasts: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, the Feast of Ingathering. On these three feasts all men must present themselves before the Lord."  
God's promise: "I will send an angel before you to protect you and bring you to the land I have prepared for you. Eventually you will possess this special land and take it over from the peoples who live there now."

Dear God, please help everyone love you
 

01 02

 

Psalms 66-68: O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shine its light upon us. Let all the peoples praise you, O God. Let all the peoples praise you. O sing to the Lord, make music to his name. Rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence. Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, God provides a shelter for the homeless. God gives his people strength. 
May all the peoples of the earth know you and praise you, O God

Listen

 

 

Acts 4.23-31: When Peter and John were released, they went to a gathering of apostles and friends and told them everything that had happened. The group then prayed "Master, it is you who made heaven and earth and sea. Please protect us from leaders who threaten us. Help us to proclaim your message with great boldness. Bless us to heal and work miracles through the name of your holy servant Jesus". As they prayed, the building rocked. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God boldly
Jesus, by the grace of your Holy Spirit, please help me to proclaim your message boldly

Listen




Luke 2.39-52 
(for feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary)
Joseph and Mary moved back to their own town of Nazareth. The child Jesus was filled with wisdom as he grew older. Each year  Joseph and Mary would take Jesus to Jerusalem for the celebration of the  Passover. When Jesus was 12 years old, they went to Jerusalem as usual. But when their traveling group left Jerusalem, Jesus stayed behind without his parents knowing it.  They presumed he was somewhere with the group. When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After 2 days, they found him,  in the Temple, listening to the religion teachers and asking them questions. People who heard him were astounded at his intelligence. His mother said to him "My child, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been really worried about you". Jesus replied "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be concerned with my Father's work?"  But they didn't understand what he meant. He went with them to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored all these things in her heart
Jesus, please help all "lost children" to be found!

 
Listen

Reflection on the above Gospel: Mary got involved, from start to finish


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

 Request in letter yesterday from prisoner - a book to study storehouse management. Made me laugh, because many people are in detention for managing drug storehouses!?!

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

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 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, Saturday, please pacify the Taliban

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

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

Fri June 12
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

"Over the top" - the love in Jesus' heart (my 2013 reflection)

 

  Yesterday 1,000 copies of the Chinese edition of the Simple Bible - Old Testament arrived from the printer ...at cost of around HK$13 per book ...an excellent price for a 260 page book ...mainly for prisoners and for distribution at MercyHK's canteen in Temple Street. This is the 5th printing. Please God printing number 6 towards the end of next year will be an illustrated edition with lots of artwork. 

 

  Today is the feastday of Blessed Joseph Cebuba O.M.I. who was shot dead in a Nazi concentration camp in 1941. May his example give us more courage to stand up for what is right

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:  Video shows car slowing before Israeli troops shot dead 7 month baby in mother's arms

 

Pope's AI letter *** Pope - Christians cannot promote war

13. Thirdly, building a world in which everyone can flourish requires shared responsibility and courage. No one can single-handedly bear the weight of the challenges the world is facing, just as no one is so weak that they cannot play their part, for “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). All are given their own section of the wall: scientists and researchers, entrepreneurs and workers, educators and legislators, civil society, popular movements and faith communities. This is the logic of subsidiarity, which values the cooperation between generations, peoples, disciplines and cultures as the best way for fostering stability, prosperity and peace. We should not be intimidated by tensions or differences because they can become creative forces when guided by shared responsibility.

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



Readings from Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

2 Corinthians 5.14-19: The love of Christ is like a tsunami. It overwhelms us and sweeps us away when we remember how Jesus died for everyone. God, through Christ, has repaired his friendship with humanity. We must spread the news of this reconciliation. 
"And when I think, that God his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in" 
- from "How Great Thou Art"
My recording of this reading

 

Ephesians 3.14-21: This is what I pray, kneeling before the Father from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes it name: May he give you  power through his Spirit, for your hidden self to grow strong. May Christ live in your hearts through faith. Planted in love and built on love, may you continually focus on the love of Christ, until your life is filled with that love.
Glory be to him whose power  working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen

Recording

 

Matthew 11.25-30: One day Jesus prayed: Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am joyfully amazed at the way simple people understand and accept what I'm saying, while proud and clever people miss the plot. And he said to the ordinary people: Come to me, all you who are treated unfairly by unjust religious laws. I will give you peace and justice. Learn from me, and you will know peace, for I am gentle and humble of heart
Jesus, please help people who are suffering from unjust religious laws

Recording

 

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

Recording

Reflection on the above Bible readings:

Jesus' promises in 1675

A beautiful reflection: The heart of Jesus and our hearts

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

A few nights ago on Temple Street near the Dr Jesus Centre, I met a friendly man and his wife from Victoria, from the town of Rosebud which is part of an O.M.I. parish. The man's job ...he's a gardener. (...garden ...rosebud ..!)

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

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 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, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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

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

Thu June 11

Today is the Feast of St Barnabas (see readings below): a wonderful HK NGO The St Barnabas Society

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:  Israel murders 8 in Tyre

 


Pope's AI letter

12. Secondly, building for the common good means accepting the limits and weakness of humanity without considering them an error to be corrected. Today, the human desire for fullness of life is at risk of being misled by deceitful goals, such as the prospect of a technology that promises to free us from all weakness, and models of wellbeing that leave behind entire populations. All too often, we place our hope in unlimited “upgrades,” in forms of progress that exacerbate inequalities, and in immediate solutions incapable of healing people’s wounds. As a result, while some pursue the illusion of unlimited self-assertion, many are deprived of basic necessities. The Church reminds us, with a firm yet humble voice, that true fulfilment is not achieved by eliminating weakness but through harmonious growth. It is found where freedom and responsibility are intertwined with mutual care and true solidarity, and where progress is measured by the dignity of each person and the good of all peoples

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

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

For the Feast of St Barnabas
 
Acts
 11.19-26: Some believers went to Antioch in Syria where they preached the Good News of the Lord Jesus to non-Jewish people. Many non-Jewish people became believers. Barnabas, a good man filled with the Holy Spirit, was sent to Antioch in Syria to encourage the new believers to remain faithful to the Lord. Barnabas brought Paul from Tarsus to Antioch. They stayed in Antioch one year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the believers were first called "Christians"
Jesus, please help me be a good Christian

 Listen

 

Acts 13.1-3: In the church at Antioch in Syria, the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen and Paul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said "I want Barnabas and Paul set apart for the work to which I have called them". After fasting and prayer, the leaders prayed for Barnabas and Paul with the laying on of hands and sent them off on a missionary journey
Holy Spirit, help me be attentive to your guidance

Listen: 


Acts 13.13-52: Paul and Barnabas went to another Antioch, Antioch in Pisidia. Out of jealousy, the local Jewish leaders there stopped Paul from preaching to the Jewish community. Paul and Barnabas then turned their attention to non-Jewish people, and so the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside. But the Jewish leaders kept up their campaign, and had Paul and Barnabas expelled from Pisidia
Jesus, please don't let Gospel workers be expelled

My recording of this reading

 

Acts 15.36-50: Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas "Let's revisit the towns where we preached the word of the Lord". Barnabas suggested taking John Mark with them, but Paul opposed this, since John Mark had deserted them on the previous trip when the situation became dangerous. After a violent argument, Paul and Barnabas split up. Barnabas went with John Mark to Cyprus. Silas joined Paul for his next journey
Jesus, at your Last Supper  you prayed  for the unity of your followers.  Help us avoid arguments

 Listen

Reflection: St Barnabas believed in giving people a second chance - Paul, John Mark

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

 Paul and Barnabas became friends again after their breakup!

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

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 11th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Hunan

And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 11th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Yemen

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda

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

Wed June 10

A busy day yesterday at the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street: am MercyHK staff meeting, early afternoon processing of Chinese University study receipts for prisoners ...then visit by group of teachers from a Yuen Long secondary school ...and last night one of the most powerful and moving talks I have ever heard in my life: a local former drug addict (now a member of Cocaine Anonymous) sharing with 15 Nepal Drug addicts

 

Police don't want people to know about these weapons

 

    US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon:  Israel puts Palestinian doctor in solitary confinement after 17 months held without charge

 


Pope's AI letter

11. Building a city founded on the common good implies, first and foremost, building on a firm relationship with God. It means recognizing that the truth of his love calls us to life “in all its fullness” ( Jn 10:10) and communion with him. Like Saint Augustine, we too can say, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” [8] Indeed, God has inscribed in our hearts a desire for happiness that embraces all the dimensions of life. The Church, in dialogue with the men and women of our time, recognizes the urgent need to safeguard and guide this aspiration toward its deepest truth.

 -----------------------------

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

Exodus 22: Laws announced by Moses: "If a man seduces a virgin, he must marry her. A sorceress must be put to death. Anyone who has intercourse with an animal must die. Do not discriminate against foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Do not be harsh to widows and orphans. Do not demand interest if you make a loan to a poor person. Always remember you are a people consecrated to God."
Dear God, please help us not to hurt other people

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

 

Acts 4.13-22: The religious leaders were astonished that two uneducated men like Peter and John could speak so confidently. The leaders also realized that a miracle had taken place: the crippled man was standing next to Peter and John. The leaders gave Peter and John a formal legal warning not to speak in future about Jesus. Peter and John replied "Which is right? To obey you, or obey God? We cannot stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard". The leaders released the two apostles. They were afraid to punish them since all the people were giving glory to God for the miracle that had happened
Jesus, please help me obey you always

Listen

 

Luke 13.18-35: Jesus said to the people "The kingdom of God is like a tiny seed planted in the ground. It grows and becomes a big tree, and the birds live in its branches. The kingdom of heaven is like yeast mixed with flour until the flour is leavened all through. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets who are sent to you. How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you refused" 
Jesus, may your kingdom grow in the hearts of more and more people

  Listen

Reflection on the above readings: Re Acts - obedience should not be paid to any voice which is different from that of God

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

 So many meetings and activities yesterday .... no trouble sleeping last night!

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

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 

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

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

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

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

 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

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

 

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

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

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: SCMPBeware 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 DailySing 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

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

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

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

Photos from my time in China 2001-20008

Other photos 1957 to present

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

Archive

Best of Smiles

Classics

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

Left click this table of flags for details of hits on this main page 

free counters          
Table shows location of readers:
HK 33%;  Australia 19%;  UK 11%;  US  12%;  Canada 4% ; Tanzania 4%


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    

                    omiredcross.jpg (14845 bytes)

 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  
                     

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .