Note: Another reflection is available on a similar theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-noel-annee-a-2019/
Source: Image: churchofgod.org
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.
4th Sunday of Advent, Year A – 2019
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
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
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
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
34th Sunday of Year C – 2019 : Feast of Christ the King
Some writer with a sense of humour gave today’s gospel a striking title:
“The good thief who stole… heaven!”
It is interesting to note that, on today’s feast – the celebration of Christ the King –
we are given this gospel text to reflect upon (Lk.23:35-43). 
It presents us with the picture of a king… crucified!
Not an inspiring sight in any way…
The leaders of the Jews sneer him.
The soldiers mock him.
One of the thieves taunts him.
And his followers are at a loss to make sense of what is happening.
Yet, it is to him, known as ‘the man of Nazareth’ that the thief – identified by tradition as Dismas –
addresses his prayer.
More of a desperate cry, this very short petition is all that was needed.
This man had recognized so much more than a king!
“Remember me…”
A cry of faith, words uttered in desperation or… the expression of amazing hope…
It remains valid and so very meaningful to this day:
“Remember me…”
This prayer could be ours, whatever our situation… no matter our desperation…
Note another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/34e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2019-fete-du-christ-roi/
Source: Image: cccmurphysboro.wordpress.com
33rd Sunday of Year C – 2019
People sometimes say that poets and prophets have a way with words.
This expression means that poets and prophets have the gift of stirring up our imagination.
They offer us… visions!
Yes, they enable us to see things we had not perceived, or to see familiar things in a new way.
This is the case with Prophet Malachi that we meet in the 1st reading of today’s celebration (Mal.3:20 or, 4:2)
His message offers us the image, more still, the promise of God’s coming to us.
Coming to us like the welcome warmth of the sun – a sun that brings HEALING. 
“The sun of righteousness will rise
with healing in its wings.”
Healing… who among us does not need it?
Healing of some physical condition that causes suffering for too long…
Healing of some psychological trait of our personality that can be made less disturbing…
Healing of some memories of the past that are crippling our present…
Healing of some addiction that enslaves us and distorts our relationships with people…
It is offered to us, offered by the One who is always ready to heal in a way beyond expectation,
beyond even what the wildest imagination can suggest.
And, long ago, he has promised:
“Whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (Jn.6:37)
It is a promise, HIS promise.
Note: Another reflection is offered on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/33e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2019/
Source: Image: Pinterest.ca
32nd Sunday of Year C – 2019
We find ourselves in all kinds of situations – some of them bring joy, others, sadness.
Encouraging experiences and dispiriting ones are all part of daily life.
Smiles and tears take turns to express our contentment or our pain.
When we look at what brings pain to us, we sometimes detect one main cause:
it is the unfaithfulness of people dear to us.
The unreliability of neighbours and colleagues may hurt us.
But what is especially distressing is that some of those we truly love can no longer be counted on.
We trusted them, we expected them to be with us at all times, but they have failed us.
Such experiences may lead us – unfortunately – to think that perhaps even… God cannot be relied upon.
If this is so, then the message that the apostle Paul in today’s 2nd reading is encouraging indeed.
It is addressed to the first Christians of Thessalonica (2 Th. 2:16 – 3:5) and Paul assures them:
“The Lord is faithful.”
We can depend on him in all situations, at all times for every kind of need.
Is this not the meaning of FAITHFULNESS?
When writing to his friend Timothy, Paul had told him the same thing and had added (2 Tim.2:13):
“He remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
So we can take heart and find courage, this is a true source of security and hope.
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/32e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2019/
Source: Image: If.radio daily-bible-verse.net
31st Sunday of Year C – 2019
Every Sunday, we are given some Bible texts to reflect upon.
They help us in different ways:
teaching and instructing us, guiding and inspiring us.
The 1st reading (Wis.11:22 – 12:2) and the Psalm (Ps.145:1-2,8-11,13-14) of this Sunday 
give us a description of God, they tell us what kind of a God he is.
And they tell us of his methodology, the way he is with us, human beings.
The picture of God found in these two texts are amazing!
He is merciful to all and overlooks people’s sins.
He spares all things, he who loves the living.
He corrects little by little those who trespass. (1st reading)
“The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm)
I wonder how many people reading these lines could say, in all truth:
‘This is exactly how I perceive God’…
So many keep away from him… fear him… do not trust what these texts say of him…
And yet… THIS IS GOD!
Note: A video presents the scene of this Sunday’s gospel, the story of Zacchaeus, at: https://youtu.be/7TIwA1YgPII
And another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/31e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2019/
Source: Image: thebottomofabottle.wordpress.com
All Saints Day – 1st November
Note: Another reflection is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/toussaint-1er-novembre/
Source: Image: fr.123rf.com