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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.

 

2nd Sunday of Year A – 2020

17 janvier 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: eyes, insight, Jn.1:29-34, look, recognize, see, sight, vision

To SEE – To LOOK – To RECOGNIZE.

This is the invitation addressed to us in today’s gospel text (Jn.1:29-34).
In only 5 verses, the words ‘look’ and ‘see’ are used 4 times – the message is rather obvious!

Seeing… our eyes are constantly busy with this activity.
Countless things pass before our eyes every minute of the day, unless we close our eyes, of course.
But do we really see them?
If asked about the colour of the car that just passed, or the name of the building in large letters before us,
we may be taken aback and ask ourselves…
We just did not see this.

Looking is more than simply seeing, it asks for attention. 
We need to focus, to concentrate and ‘take in’ the vision of what our eyes perceive.
The photo we look at is perhaps not clear, the landscape before us may be misty:
perhaps we need to look more closely, to adjust to what we see so as to… recognize the picture.

To recognize is even more demanding, it requires a deeper perception still.
This is perhaps the difference between ‘sight’ and ‘insight’…

In today’s gospel scene, John the Baptist invites his disciples to do precisely this:
to recognize Jesus, recognize him for who he truly is.

And this invitation is addressed to us as well . . . 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2020/

 

Source: Images: unsplash.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Year A – 2020

10 janvier 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: giving in, ideas, insights, John the Baptist, let go, meet God, Mt.3:13-17, Our Father, plan of God, plans, reporter

The gospel text of today (Mt.3:13-17) is rich in insights, perhaps not obvious at first sight
but looking into and beyond the words we discover the deeper meaning of what we see and hear.

A modern reporter could give this scene of Jesus baptized by John the striking title of:
Doing what one would rather not do and… meet God!

The words can provoke a smile but this is exactly what happened to John the Baptist
as Jesus presented himself to him to be baptized.
We are told:

“John tried to dissuade him…
But Jesus replied: ‘Leave it like this for the time being…’
John gave in to him. »

Give in to God!
One day, I saw a poster with the caption:
LET GO – LET GOD!

Let go of my ideas – God may have better ideas…
Let go of my plans – God may have a better plan…
Let go of what I want – so that his “will may be done”…
 
Our lips repeat it so often praying the ‘Our Father’, but… somehow…
Today is a good day to start… giving in to him.

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-du-bapteme-du-seigneur-annee-a-2020/

 

Source: Images: thechurchofjesuschrist.org   fineartamerica.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, Year A – 2020

3 janvier 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: destination, encounters, goal, hurry, journey, Mt.2:1-12, obstacles, on the move, surprises

Repeatedly, and in many ways, poets and prophets have said it: LIFE IS A JOURNEY.
The beginning of a new year is, somehow, a reminder of this.
Of course, a journey means setting out and being on the move.

Today’s gospel, on the Feast of Epiphany (Mt.2:1-12) illustrates this very clearly.
We see three men on the way, they have set out towards… the unknown.
Ready for whatever the journey has in store for them:
Joyful surprises, painful circumstances, threatening obstacles, suspicious encounters…
There may be moments of darkness, periods of questioning – it is all part of the journey.

Being on the move – we are!
So often running here and there, rushing, hurrying, always on the go.
But… a journey must have… a goal.
Setting out is meant to be towards a destination.

Moving for the sake of moving is not being on a journey.
We may be caught in a frenzy of perpetual movement but this cannot bring to a definite place –
the place we are longing to reach – that of happiness, peace of mind and heart, true serenity.

So, perhaps today’s feast reminds us that, at the beginning of a year still new,
we need to see clearly the destination we want to reach…
the place where we want to find ourselves… at the end of the year.

Or, at the end of our journey on this earth…

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-lepiphanie-annee-a-2020/

 

Source: Image: www.pinterest.de

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feast of Mary, Mother of God, Year A – 2020

31 décembre 2019
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: adventure, finding, glorify God, hurry, Lk.2:16-21, New Year, praise God, shepherds

There are different ways of reading a gospel text, or listening to it.
Sometimes, we have a sense of ‘déjà vu’ – it seems we know all about it for such a long time.
At other times, what is described feels strange, foreign, not related to our own experience.

But the quiet contemplation of a scene can be instructive and truly inspiring.
On this Feast of Mary, Mother of God, today’s gospel text (Lk.2:16-21) can be exactly this for us.

“The Shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby…
They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child…
They returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.”
 
“All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them…”

“Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” 

  • Hurrying to find…
  • Sharing what has been discovered…
  • Glorifying and praising God…
  • Marvelling at what happens…
  • Treasuring up and keep pondering…

A good programme for the adventure through the new year just beginning!

Note: another reflection is available on a different theme on French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-marie-mere-de-dieu-annee-a-2020/

 

Source: Image: Armenian church us (Rembrandt painting)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Feast of the Holy Family, Year A – 2019

28 décembre 2019
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: child, clothing, Col.3:12-21, mother, pleasing to God, qualities

The text of the 2nd reading of today’s Feast of the Holy Family (Col.3:12-21)
could possibly provoke a verbal reaction: IMPOSSIBLE!

To the Colossians – and to us – Paul says:
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…”
And to this list, forgiveness and love are added for good measure!

All those qualities that Paul, the apostle, tells us to put on like clothing –
how can we live according to them?
It is really impossible, that is, if we are left to ourselves!

At this point, the picture comes to my mind of a mother gently clothing a child.
Dressing the little one with a shirt, or a skirt, a sweater or a coat, shoes or boots.
Each item is fitted to the child’s body.

Then, why not ask God… to do the same?
To clothe us himself with all these qualities pleasing to him that he would like to find in us!
It is surely NOT impossible to him!

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-la-sainte-famille-annee-a-2019/

 

Source : Image : tumblr.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th Sunday of Advent, Year A – 2019

20 décembre 2019
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 'God-with-us', advice, angels, compassion, help, information, Mt.1:18-24, présence, real

Do you have in your life some… ‘wingless angels’?
You smile, but they can be very REAL!

We are used to the representation of old showing us cherubim and seraphim angelic messengers.
It was the imagery of ancient times and it has made its way up to our days.
The illustration of today’s gospel – the dream of Saint Joseph – is one such picture (Mt.1:18-24).

Some may find it helpful, others not.
But the identity and the mission of such messengers remain valid and meaningful.

If you pause for a moment and look at your daily life, you will most probably recognize some people who are there –
there precisely when you need them!

  • There with some information you are looking for.
  • There with some help in a given situation.
  • There with some useful suggestion.
  • There with some discrete friendly advice.
  • And always there with compassion and comfort!

They are the ‘wingless angels’ you can count on – the very manifestation of a presence –
that of the One who made himself: “God-with-us”.

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-a-2019/
 

Source: Images: russ-ramsey.com   topofart.com (painting, Georges de la Tour)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A – 2019

13 décembre 2019
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: commitment, confusion, events, Is.35:5-6, Jesus message, Mt.11:6, values, ways

Periods of questioning… 
Situations when one wonders…
Events that cause bewilderment…
Happenings that leave us perplexed…

We all know this from experience, repeated experience, we could say.
John the Baptist has gone through this as well – his cousin, Jesus, somehow brings confusion to him.
So, he sends some of his disciples to inquire from Jesus himself if he is truly God’s special messenger…

Jesus’ answer will be meaningful to John as it is the realisation of a prophecy of Isaiah (Is.35:5-6).
But what can bring questions to OUR minds is the last sentence of Jesus’ reply:
 
“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Mt.11:6)
 
Translators are also puzzled by the words and come up with different texts:
“Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
“Happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.”
 
Is this beatitude ours? Or…
Are we put off by Jesus words, his attitude, the message he speaks, the values he proposes?…
Are we offended by his ways, the options he suggests, the commitment he expects?

This period of Advent may be a good period to ask ourselves questions…

Note: Another reflections is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/3e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-a-2019/

 

Source: Image: Free Doodle Illustrations   graspinggod.com

2nd Sunday of Year A – 2019

6 décembre 2019
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: adjustment, conversion, correction, follower of Christ, Is.11:1-10, John the Baptist, Mt.3:1-12, repent

When keying in a text on the computer, it happens that we write a word incorrectly.
A red line appears under the faulty text and we know that a correction is required.

Practising a sport of any kind, we know from experience that we must sometimes change our technique.
A type of movement – a shot, a stretch or a sprint – may need to be corrected also.

As we travel to a certain place, we may suddenly realise that we have lost our way.
We need to turn back and take another direction.

We do it constantly and in all kinds of situations: correct, adjust, redress.
Why would we not do it with… our lives as Christians?

In a forceful manner, this is what John the Baptist calls us to do in today’s gospel (Mt.3:1-12).
He repeats that we need to REPENT.
The word may not sound appealing and what it asks of us may not appear promising.
Yet, we know that it happens that our lives need some correction and adjustment.

Another translation speaks of CONVERSION – literally this means a change of direction.
A turning back to find and take a new orientation.
It is as simple as that!
Simple? Yes. Easy? No.

But we are not expected to do this on our own.
God’s Spirit will enable us to take the direction leading us on the way of Christ.
In the 1st reading, Isaiah speaks of this “Spirit of wisdom, insight and power” (Is.11:1-10).
He is always ready to help us if only we ask him to do so…

This is what it means to be a ‘follower of Christ’: walking as he walked in the direction he took.

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-a-2019/

 

Source: Images: Free Bible Images   Resources for Catholic Education

 

 

 

 

 

1st Sunday of Advent, Year A – 2019

29 novembre 2019
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: advice, expect, God's presence, insight, inspiration, Lord's coming, Mt.24:37-44, the end

Many people resent being told what to do!
And… we know that the giving of advice is not always welcome.
Of course, much depends on who gives the advice!

During the period of Advent starting today, the Scripture readings often remind us about living with careful attention.
We are told to be mindful of how we live and be ready for the Lord’s coming.

Today’s gospel (Mt.24:37-44) is one of them.
“So you also must be ready,
because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

We believe that such texts refer to the coming of the Lord at the end of time.
But what about in the meantime? The time between now and… the end?
It is to be expected that, before the end of time, there will be the end of our time – the moment of our death.
We may life to think that… this is not just yet but… we do not know.

But the best way to prepare for ‘the end’, would it not be to welcome the Lord’s coming every day?
Because he does come every day… often unnoticed, unrecognized, unattended to… but come, he does!
His presence is usually silent, discreet, yet real and personal.
It can make itself experienced in:

  • The words of a book opening up new perspectives…
  • A sudden inspiration to help someone in need…
  • Words of encouragement received from a colleague…
  • Some unexpected gift from a neighbour…
  • The feeling of peace at the sight of a beautiful landscape…
  • A flash of insight into who HE is…
  • An impulse to start on a new way of living the gospel…
  • Or, simply the unmistaken realisation that he is indeed present here and now.

Yes, he does come indeed!

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-a-2019/

 

Source: Image: Bible Verses