hello

Greetings to each and everyone of you.


This section for English-speaking viewers –
and all those enjoying the culture –

has developed over the months and is now offering materials of all kinds:

texts, images, poems, videos, etc.

It will continue to provide you with rich contents week after week.

 

24th Sunday of Year C – 2022

9 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: enjoy, Father, freedom, illusion, Luke 15:11-32, situation, son

A gospel text – THE gospel text so well known! (Luke 15:11-32).
Too well known, perhaps… to the point that we fail to recognize the real identity of the people –
those presented in Jesus’ parable.

A son like… many other…
Cherished by a loving father…
Unaware of all that the father’s love does lavish on him…
Dreaming of other places where freedom should be found…
Clinging to the illusion that no bonds or boundaries is liberty…
Wanting to enjoy life in his own way…
Suddenly aware of all that has been lost…
Making the experience of need, real need…
Realizing that what he had was the answer to this need…

 

 

 

 

 

 

A son like many… of us…
We may try not to notice our situation as it is…
We may use different means to deceive ourselves…
We may say that all is well while knowing it is not…
We may cling to the illusion that being free is all that matters…
We may pretend that we do not need anybody…
We may protest any intervention of those near to us seeing it as interference…
We may claim that we do not need ‘a god’ and all that it means…
We may have gone far… far away indeed… far from our true selves…

Shall we, at long last, “come to our senses” as the young man in the parable did?
Shall we have the courage to “leave this place” of pseudo-freedom and start on the way to return ‘home’?
Shall we dare to acknowledge to ourselves, and to our Father, that we have not been what he and we want most?

Then, the festive spirit that will be ours can hardly be described – it needs to be experienced!

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/24e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Images: freebibleimages.org

23rd Sunday of Year C – 2022

2 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: attached, detached, discern, estimate, foresee, Luke 14:25-33, plan, see, Wisdom 9:13-18, wise

We could say that the 1st reading of this Sunday (Wisdom 9:13-18) and the gospel (Luke 14:25-33) show us how to become wise.
They teach us to SEE and to FORESEE.

The first text tells us to
“discern what the Lord wills.”

While the gospel warns us that we should look ahead and plan for what we want to achieve –
whatever be our aim, we must prepare for what is ahead:
“sit down and estimate… consider” what is involved in our venture.

Of course, this concerns more than our daily activities – the construction of a building, or waging a war, are only two examples.
The words of Jesus go on to make it clear that he speaks of our lives as followers of his.

To ‘take up our cross’ will mean different things at different moments of our lives.
But it will involve being detached of certain things and people,
and being attached, committed, wholeheartedly to Christ and the way of life shown in the gospel.

That’s all – ALL of ourselves given to ALL that Christ asks of us!

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/23e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: gotquestions.org

 

22nd Sunday of Year C – 2022

26 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
2 Comments
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: attentive ear, Ben Sira 3:28-29, Ecclesiasticus 3:28-29, noises, sounds, words

The texts for the Sunday celebration are rich and varied – they offer plenty to think about.
Sometimes there is so much given to our reflection that some expressions escape our attention…
It happens that some words, at the end of a text, may go unnoticed as we have already moved to the next paragraph.

The 1st reading of this Sunday (Si 3:17-18,20,28-29) has a thought that should NOT escape our notice.
It is found at the very end of the reading and says:

“An attentive ear is the desire of the wise.”
 
God knows – indeed – that words, sounds, noises of all kinds, keep our ears busy the whole day long.
Specialists can count the decibels involved in a whisper or a thunderclap, but… can they measure their impact on us?…

Do we have this wise desire of being attentive to what we hear?

  • The quiet invitation to pause a while and listen…
  • The gentle call for compassion…
  • The subtle request for help…
  • The softly spoken words of regret…
  • The discrete inspiration from the depths of ourselves…
  • The challenging invitation to a commitment…
  • ‘The sound of silence’ as the well-known song has it… *

 

 All of them – and more – can translate God’s voice unmistakenly.
They can transmit his message… always personalised!…

‘An attentive ear’ – something God cannot refuse if only we ask for it…
And how astonishing may be what we… finally come to hear!

 

* Simon and Garfunkel

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/22e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Images: unsplash.com

 

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief – 22 August

22 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: belief, human rights, persécution, religion, victims, violence

On August 22nd, International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief recognizes the importance of assisting victims of religious persecution.

When reading recent headlines, one can’t ignore that religious persecution is increasing. One in three people suffers from religious persecution. Of all the religions, Christians are the most persecuted. Christians face persecution in 143 countries. According to the BBC, Christian persecution in some countries is at near genocide levels. In Iraq, there are now less than 120,000 Christians. In comparison, in 2003, 1.5 million Christians lived in Iraq.

Worldwide, Muslims and Jews also face worldwide persecution. Muslims confront persecution in 140 countries, while Jews face persecution in 87 countries.

Many nations also place restrictions on those with certain beliefs. Countries with the most religious restrictions include China, Iran, Russia, Egypt, and Indonesia.

The Universal Declaration for Human Rights serves as the foundation for the UN’s stance on religious persecution and violence. Since freedom of religion or belief is essential to the Declaration, the UN strongly condemns the continuing acts of violence against religious groups. The UN’s position is another reason why they implemented International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

To commemorate this day the United Nations vows to reaffirm their unwavering support for the victims of violence based on religion and belief. They will demonstrate this support by doing everything in their power to prevent future attacks and hold those that are responsible accountable.

 

Source: Text & Image: nationalday.com

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism – 21 August

21 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: re-habilitate, recover, reintegrate, remembrance, terrorism, tribute, victims

Acts of terrorism propagating a wide-range of hateful ideologies continue to injure, harm and kill thousands of innocent people each year.

Despite international condemnation of terrorism, victims often struggle to have their voices heard, their needs supported and their rights upheld. Victims often feel forgotten and neglected once the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack fades, with profound consequences for them. Few Member States have the resources or the capacity to fulfil the medium and long-term needs of victims to enable them to fully recover, rehabilitate and re-integrate into society. Most victims can only recover and cope with their trauma through long-term multi-dimensional support, including physical, psychological, social and financial.

« On this International Day and every day, let us make sure that victims and survivors are always heard and never forgotten. And let us do everything we can to prevent more victims in the future. »   Antonio Guterres

 

Source: Text & Image: UN

World Mosquito Day – 20 August

20 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, malaria, mosquitoes, protection curable, safety, tropical areas

World Mosquito Day was created in order to honor the discovery made of the link between humans, malaria, and mosquitoes. This is something that has changed the health industry considerably, ensuring that humans can be protected.

Malaria is a disease that mosquitoes carry, which is caused by a parasite. It is curable and preventable, yet sadly, it still threatens the lives of millions of people across the globe. It is important to note that not all mosquitoes transmit malaria; only infected female anopheles are able to transmit this to humans.

You may be wondering how malaria is transmitted by a mosquito. It is as simple as a bite. If a mosquito bites you and it has been carrying malaria, the parasite is going to be released into your bloodstream, which can infect your entire body. Mosquitos are typically most active at night and dusk, and so they do not usually bite during the day. However, it is important to make sure that your body is protected at all times.

The latest statistics show that approximately 435,000 people die of malaria every year. Not only this, but there is believed to be approximately 219 million cases of malaria every year across the world. These are pretty big statistics, right? A lot of people do not realize just how serious the problem is, especially those that live in areas that are not at risk.

Malaria can be found in over 100 countries. It is a condition that typically impacts the world’s tropical areas. Nevertheless, roughly 70 percent of the malaria burden around the world is concentrated in 11 countries. One being India, and the rest being on the African continent.

 

Source: Text: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/   Image: PosterMyWall

21st Sunday of Year C – 2022

19 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: acceptable, alibi, essential, excuses, justification, Luke 13:22-30, pretexts, relationship with God

Pretexts and excuses – we must admit that such claims are often used in many situations nowadays !
It would seem that our 21st century is quite similar to the 1st century where we meet Jesus and the people surrounding him.

The gospel text of this Sunday (Luke 13:22-30) shows us people trying to make themselves acceptable.
They justify themselves in what appears to be convincing words:

“We once ate and drank in your company;
you taught in our streets.”

In the eyes of God (represented by the master of the house) this is not sufficient.
Such justification is not a valid representation of a true relationship.
This is what God expects of us: a life lived in a genuine relationship with him.

External conformity to traditions, faithfulness to rituals, observance of certain religious prescriptions –
these may have some merit, but they are not the essential.
They may obtain the response:

 

I do not know where you come from…”

The essential, for God, lies deeper, much deeper.
It is found in a personal relationship with God our Father, our Brother, our Counsellor.
A relationship lived from day to day, walking in the steps of Christ, under the guidance of his Spirit.

From day to day, step by step…
until the day when we will, indeed, share in the feast he has prepared for us:

“the feast in the kingdom of God.”
 

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/21e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Images: SlidePlayer  Scripture Images

 

20th Sunday of Year C – 2022

12 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: convictions, God hears, human emotions, images of God, Psalm 40:1-4, Psalm 40:17

We are in constant need of correction of our thoughts and images about God…
Yes, an ongoing need to adjust to God being… the kind of God he is!

Today’s Psalm (Psalm 40) can help us to do this.
Two verses are especially helpful:

“The Lord inclined to me, and heard my cry…
The Lord thinks of me.” (Ps.40:1,17)

So often we imagine God to be high above, or far away.
Sad to say, we think that he remains untouched by what happens to us…
He is so great, so powerful, eternal and unmoved, as we are, by human emotions…

The Psalmist who wrote the text above believed otherwise.
He was convinced that God, having heard his request for assistance, bent down to help him.

He was sure that the Lord was thinking about him.
How many of us share in this conviction?…

The ‘landscape’ of our daily life could be completely changed if we did!…

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/20e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Images: Pinterest   Walking with Jesus – tumblr

 

 

International Youth Day – 12 August 2022

12 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, extremism, international community, partners, peacebuilders, Youth
International Youth Day is commemorated every year on 12 August, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.
The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by the young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System. The Forum recommended that an International Youth Day be declared, especially for fund-raising and promotional purposes, to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with youth organizations.In 1998, a resolution proclaiming 12 August as International Youth Day was adopted by the first session of the the  World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth , which was hosted by the Government of Portugal in cooperation with the United Nations (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998). That recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly, in its resolution  A/RES/54/120 entitled « Policies and programmes involving youth » (17 December 1999).The Assembly recommended that public information activities be organized to support the Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth , adopted by the General Assembly in 1996.

Security Council Resolution 2250 (9 December 2015 ) on Youth, Peace and Security represents an unprecedented acknowledgement of the urgent need to engage young peacebuilders in promoting peace and countering extremism, and clearly positions youth as important partners in the global efforts.​

 

Source: Text: https://pmnch.who.int/   Image: Freepik

World Lion Day – 10 August

10 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, cats, habitat, Lion King, reserve, species

World Lion Day on August 10 aims to raise awareness about the plight faced by lions. Scientifically known as ‘Panthero Leo,’ lions are one of the most well-known  popular animal species out there. They are called the ‘Kings of the Jungle’ due to their arresting and fearsome personalities created by their great bodies and heavy, shiny manes. A lion’s powerful roar is second to none, and it can be heard even five miles away. Owing to the pop culture icons like Simba from “The Lion King”, lions are also loved by children. However, while lions existed in large populations 100 years ago, today, their numbers are just below 50,000 worldwide as a result of poaching and hunting. World Lion Day, therefore, brings attention to this endangered species by raising funds and ramping up protective measures.

The lion comes from the ‘Felidae’ family of cats, and it is considered to be an apex predator. It is the second-largest cat weighing around 300 to 600 pounds, with the first being its cousin, the tiger. An average lion’s body is muscular with a short round head and ears, and a tufty tail. Its sex can be identified through its heavy and luscious mane, which are absent on lionesses. Lions also happen to be the only cats who roam around in large groups known as prides. Scientists believe that lions do so because it is easier to catch prey in the wild. Their natural habitats are savannas and grasslands. You will most likely find a pride of lions near water bodies as they strategically wait for prey to come there for a drink and then pounce on them.

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Lions have freely roamed the Earth across Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Europe as far back as 3 million years ago. But now, they are listed as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Although they are still not classified as endangered species, lions still face a lot of obstacles for their survival.

Right now, there are about 30,000 to 100,000 lions in our planet. Over the past few decades, the population of lions have decreased by half. This was caused by widespread loss of their habitat as well as trophy farming.

 

Source: Text: https://nationaltoday.com   dayfinders.com     Image: dayfinders.com