V2Catholic.Com

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 Jordanjdwomi@gmail.com +852 67095674
Imitating Pope Francis

My other sites/links

Sat June 20

Yesterday we were 36 people - 34 adults and 4 children - on a hike to Lamma Island. A perfect day for hiking ...no rain, lovely breeze, not hot ...even sun shine for time at beach, with some swimming ....despite non-stop rain the previous several days. Thank you Jesus! (Photos to come)

Man and woman from Hungary, drugs inside body, now in prison in HK

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Israel massacres 18 Lebanese to test peace deal

Pope's AI letter

21. Recognizing that God upholds the freedom of men and women in the unfolding of history, the Second Vatican Council affirmed the distinction between the ecclesial community and the political community, emphasizing that each must operate with full autonomy. The Church’s presence in the world is also expressed through her relationship with civil society and public institutions. By engaging with these entities, the Church acknowledges the value of social and political realities and honors their specific responsibilities, supporting everything that fosters the wellbeing of individuals and strengthens the fabric of society. The Church does not claim to assume the functions belonging to the State. On the contrary, she esteems those who serve the common good, and she firmly acknowledges the responsibility that civil institutions hold within society. At the same time, the mission entrusted to the Church prompts her to address the real suffering of the men and women of our time. This closeness does not stem from an intent to supplant civil institutions, much less from an implicit criticism of their work. Rather, it stems from evangelical charity, which impels the Church to draw near to the wounds of humanity whenever they surface with greater severity. When the Church intervenes, she does so following the example of the Good Samaritan, with discretion and closeness, aware that what arises from urgent necessity cannot become the norm, nor replace the institutional responsibilities proper to the civil community.

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

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

Exodus 31: God said to Moses: "The Israelites must make the Sabbath a holy day each week, because the Sabbath is a sign between you and me. Do not do any ordinary work on the Sabbath. Work for six days, then rest on the Sabbath. Consecrate the Sabbath to me." God's words were inscribed on two stone tablets.
Dear God, please help us to make Sunday a holy day
My recording of this reading

Psalms 79-80: O God, the nations have invaded your sacred land, they have profaned your holy temple. They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins. We have become the taunt of our neighbours, the mockery and scorn of those who surround us. How long, O Lord, will all this last? How long will this sorrow keep going? Do not hold the guilt of our ancestors against us. If their guilt is somehow influencing our situation now please give peace and healing to everyone and everything in our history. Let the groans of the prisoners come before you. Let your strong arm reprieve those condemned to die. O Lord, our God, help us and save us. Let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Lord, please heal any problems in my family tree
Listen

Acts 6.1-7: About this time as the number of disciples kept growing, the twelve apostles decided to give other men the job of daily food distribution. The apostles said to the whole group of believers "It is not right for us to neglect the service of the word. Therefore you should choose seven men of good reputation, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom. We give them the food distribution job, so that we can devote ourselves to prayer and the service of the word". The whole assembly approved of this idea. They chose seven men and presented them to the apostles who prayed over them with the laying on of hands. The word of the Lord continued to spread. Even a large number of priests became believers
Jesus, please bless all deacons. Fill them with the courage and wisdom of the first seven deacons
Listen

Luke 15.11-24: Jesus told this story: a man had two sons. The younger said to his father "Father, give me the share of the estate that would come to me". So the father divided his property between them. A few days later, the younger son left for a distant land where he wasted his money in wild living. When he had used all his money, that country had a severe famine, and he began to feel the pinch, so he got a job on a farm feeding pigs. He would willingly have eaten the pigs' food, but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said "How many of my father's paid servants have more food than they want, and I am dying of hunger I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me as one of your paid servants." So he left the place and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then the son said "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son". But the father said to his servants "Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it. We are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found."
Jesus, please help me understand how much you love me, no matter what mistakes I make
01 02 03 04

Reflection on the above readings:

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

Yesterday on Lamma Island I asked some local residents where the name "Lamma" came from. No one was sure. So I asked Wiki and got this complicated answer

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

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 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, Saturday, please pacify the Taliban

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

Fri June 19
Happy Dragon Boat Festival today!

Dragon Boat Festival meal for street sleepers at Dr Jesus Centre

Visit to nursing home where MercyHK's Shirley Lee has helped street sleepers find accommodation

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Construction equipment multinationals and Israeli war crimes .. "Caterpillar" ....

Pope's AI letter

20. The Church’s vocation and duty to accompany humanity in the specifics of history leads her to recognize that earthly realities possess their own proper character and order. The Second Vatican Council expressed this principle with particular precision in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, whose sixtieth anniversary we remembered and celebrated with gratitude on 7 December 2025: “If by the autonomy of earthly affairs is meant that created things and societies themselves enjoy their own laws and values… then the demand for autonomy is perfectly in order.” [10] This affirmation shows that creation bears the imprint of an original goodness that our human outlook must preserve, cultivate and bring to fulfilment. In this regard, the Church offers herself in a way that helps to interpret reality in all its depth. She supports with humble firmness the choices that promote the dignity of every person, the cohesion of communities and the good of all. The Church thus stands alongside the world without overpowering it, so that the promise of justice and peace that the Holy Spirit continues to sustain in the heart of humanity may come to fruition in every human endeavor.

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

Exodus 30: God said to Moses: "Every morning offer one lamb as a sacrifice for the people. Every evening offer another lamb as a sacrifice for the people. I will meet the people of Israel in the place consecrated to my glory. I will remain with the people of Israel and be their God. They will know that it is I who brought them out of Egypt."
Dear God, you created us, we are your people
My recording of this reading

Psalms 78: Listen, everyone, to my teaching. I will recount the lessons of our history. The things our parents have told us, we will not hide from our children, but will pass them on to the next generation. We want the next generation to know all that the Lord has done for us in the past. May the next generation in turn pass on this knowledge to their own children, so that they too will put their hope in God and never forget all that God has done for us. 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
01 02

Acts 5.34-42: One religious leader at the meeting, Gamaliel, asked that the apostles be removed from the room. Then he spoke to the other leaders: "Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people. If this movement of theirs is of human origin, it will die out of its own accord. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy it. You might even find yourselves fighting against God". His advice was accepted. The apostles were warned, flogged and released. They left the meeting glad to have had the honor of suffering humiliation for the sake of Jesus. They resumed their daily preaching, in the Temple and in private homes
Jesus, thank you for times of suffering for you
Listen

Luke 14.12-14: Jesus said to the meal guests "When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, family, or rich neighbors. Rather, when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. That they cannot repay you means you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again"
Jesus, help me do more to help poor people
Listen

Reflection on the above Bible readings: One of my favourite Gospel stories ... which I have tried to put into practice - like last year

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

Hike to Lamma Island going ahead today ... putting our faith the Good Lord and in the weather bureau's words that the present several days of rain will stop tomorrow!

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

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 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, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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

Thu June 18

Yesterday I visited the custodial section of Queen Elizabeth Hospital .... and chatted/prayed with all 10 prisoners (6 men and 4 women), leaving some booklets/Bibles for them ...especially for one of the women whose birthday was yesterday! .. a very special lady who has undergone much surgery ... I knew her when she worked in the Jordan area ...yesterday's visit was for her birthday.

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Israel again strikes Lebanon despite Trump criticism

Pope's AI letter

19. The Church is present in the world as a sign of unity for the entire human family. She recognizes today’s questions and challenges as the current setting in which to carry out her particular vocation of listening, dialogue and service, and of being responsive to everything concerning the lives of contemporary men and women. This involvement in people’s lives helps the Church understand ever more clearly that her mission has a historical scope and entails a responsibility for the way in which social relations are built. For this reason, she cannot consider herself a stranger to the forces shaping society. On the contrary, the Church actively participates in the processes by which society grows and is organized, and she offers her own contribution to the creation of a more just and fraternal society. Pope Francis emphasized this historical dimension of the Church’s mission: “No one can demand that religion should be relegated to the inner sanctum of personal life, without influence on societal and national life, without concern for the soundness of civil institutions, without a right to offer an opinion on events affecting society.” [9]

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

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

Exodus 28-29: God said to Moses: "Your brother Aaron and his sons will be priests in my service. Make sacred vestments for them: breastpiece, ephod, robe, tunic, turban and sash. You must anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve me as priests.
Dear God, please bless and protect all sacred ministers
Recording

Psalms 73-77: Sometimes when I see how bad people prosper, I wonder what's the use in trying to be good? But then I realize that everyone someday has to pay the bill for any evil they have bought in the world. Sometimes when I see our world and religion in ruins, I wonder why has God abandoned us? Then I remember that God has promised to break the power of the wicked. He has promised to give strength to good people. So may all people honor the Lord our God and judge.
May the Lord give us his loving help.
Lord, you are goodness itself. Please help us to be good and to trust you always Recording

Acts 5.21-33: When the leaders had their big meeting later that same morning, they sent for the apostles to be brought from prison. The police went to the prison, then came back and reported to the leaders "We found that the prison was properly locked, and the guards were on duty. But when we unlocked the door, there was no one inside". Then a man arrived at the meeting with the news "At this very moment, the men you imprisoned are now in the Temple preaching to the people". The police again arrested the apostles and brought them to the meeting. When the main religious leader reminded them of his previous warning not to preach, Peter and the apostles replied "Obedience to God comes before obedience to men. God raised Jesus up to be the Savior. We are witnesses to this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God gives to those who obey him". This made the leaders so angry that they wanted to kill the apostles
Jesus, please help me put obedience to you before all other obediences
01 02

Luke 14.7-11: At the leader's house, Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor. He said to them "When someone invites you to a meal, do not choose a seat of honor. Rather, when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there. Maybe your host will ask you to move to a seat of honor. Everyone who exalts himself, will be humbled. Whoever humbles himself, will be exalted"
Jesus, please help me choose the lowest place
Listen

Reflection on the above Bible readings: To avoid the "highest place" problem, some groups/families use a round table!

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

Something happening these days that happened after the last World Cup: people wearing Agentine football tops. Maybe they kept them from 4 years ago when Argentina won the Cup?

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

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 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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda

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

Wed June 17

This MercyHK May 15 video has had more than 70k views. Indonesian lady about whom the video was made, at the High Court yesterday morning was granted leave to appeal against sentence to the Court of Appeal. The above video was mentioned and will be considered when the case goes to the Court of Appeal

Sri Lanka the new scam centre

US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: ...and attack on Iran & Lebanon: Trump's Iranian deal fixes nothing *** 8 children killed by US drone in Somalia (SHAME, USA, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!)

Pope's AI letter

18. This overview, however, would not be very comprehensible if, before reflecting on the contribution of individual popes and their most relevant documents, we do not first clarify some fundamental principles concerning the way in which the Church exists in history and relates to the world. Failing to do so would expose Social Doctrine to the risk of being perceived as an undue interference in “worldly” matters or as an external code of ethics imposed from above. In reality, it stems from a Church that walks alongside humanity, recognizing the autonomy of earthly realities and the distinction between ecclesial and political communities. Indeed, it is for this very reason that she strives to serve the common good.

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

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

Exodus 26-27: God said to Moses: "Make a cover for the sacred tent. Make the cover's support frames of acacia wood. Make a veil of purple, violet and red behind which to put the sacred chest. Make an altar out of acacia wood. Make altar vessels out of bronze. Make a sacred courtyard to go around the tent. Place a sacred flame outside the veil and keep the flame burning from night till morning."
Dear God, thank you for churches and other special places for prayer
My recording of this reading

Psalm 72: O Lord, please bless the king, that he might serve your people with justice. May the mountains bring forth peace for the people and the hills, justice. The kings of Sheba and Seba bring him gifts. All nations will serve him. He will save the poor when they cry for help and the needy who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak and save the lives of the poor. May every tribe be blessed in him. May every nation bless his name.
May all the nations know and love you, Lord
Listen

Acts 5.17-21: The religious leaders were jealous of the apostles. The leaders had the apostles arrested and put in prison. But that night an angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and led them out of the prison, saying to them: "Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life". The apostles went to the Temple at dawn and continued preaching
Jesus, please help more and more people know about the new Life
Listen

Luke 14.1-6: One Sabbath day Jesus went for a meal to the house of a religious leader. In the house Jesus saw a man with dropsy. Jesus asked the leaders present there "Is it against the Law to cure a man on the Sabbath?" But they remained silent. Jesus took the man, healed him, and sent him away. Then Jesus said to the leaders "Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, will not pull him out on a Sabbath day?" Again the leaders remained silent
Jesus, help me understand that "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"
Listen

Reflection on the above readings: Luke, a doctor, uses medical terms ..."dropsy"

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

Please and thank you Jesus ...weather forecast for Friday is ..sunny periods ...HIKE to Lamma Island! (... ferry to Sok Wu Wan leaving from Central Pier 4 at 10.20am)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-------

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

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

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