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International Day of Peace – 27 September

21 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: acceptance, bigotry, bridges, communities, dignity, discrimination, fear, hope, human rights, humanity, migrants, neighbours, partnership, peace, refugees, respect, safety, societies, support, UN

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.”

The theme honours the spirit of TOGETHER, a global initiative that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes in search of a better life. TOGETHER unites the organizations of the United Nations System, the 193 Member States of the United Nations, the private sector, civil society, academic institutions and individual citizens in a global partnership in support of diversity, non-discrimination and acceptance of refugees and migrants. It was initiated during the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September 2016.

“In times of insecurity, communities that look different become convenient scapegoats,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “We must resist cynical efforts to divide communities and portray neighbours as ‘the other’. Discrimination diminishes us all. It prevents people — and societies — from achieving their full potential.” He added, “Together, let us stand up against bigotry and for human rights. Together, let us build bridges. Together, let us transform fear into hope.”

This year, the International Day of Peace will focus on engaging and mobilizing people throughout the world to show support for refugees and migrants. Its messages will be shared with communities hosting refugees and migrants as well as people concerned that refugees and migrants may bring physical and economic insecurity to their lives.

The Day will highlight solidarity with refugees and migrants and showcase the shared benefits of migration to economies and nations, while also acknowledging legitimate concerns of host communities. Ultimately, it will be about bringing people together and reminding them of their common humanity.

Source: Text & Image: UN

Ash Wednesday, Year A

28 février 2017
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, God's character, God's image, graciousness, heart, Joel 2:12-18, love, painting, tenderness

Last Sunday (8th Sunday of the Year, A) we were reflecting on the idea of ‘painting’- painting with colours and paintbrushes.
Throughout history people have tried to paint even… GOD – at least, what they thought God was like!
Still today, artists try to do the same.

But we said that we also ‘paint’ with words.
Describing things, situations and people and thus creating an image of them.
We said that we do this also with… GOD.
Saints, spiritual writers, religious leaders, all of them try to give us a picture of God.

At the beginning of this period of Lent, the same theme comes again.
The prophet Joel, in the 1st reading (Joel 2:12-18), is the one who gives us an idea – a picture – of… God’s personality!

The text says:
“Your God is all tenderness and compassion,
slow to anger, rich in graciousness,
and ready to relent…
Who knows if he will not leave a blessing as he passes.”
 
Simple words, a clear message, a description in human terms, with concepts familiar to us, telling us who God is. God’s character, if we can speak in these terms, is one of tenderness, of compassion, of graciousness, of readiness to forgive and forget our failings and failures.

Who would not want to experience personally such acceptance, such mercy, such love?
Only one thing is required for this experience to be ours:

“It is the Lord who speaks,
‘Come back to me with all your heart’…”

 

Source: Images: www.pinterest.com;  stedward.com

 

2nd Sunday of Easter, C

31 mars 2016
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: acceptance, forgiveness, Jn.20:19-31, proof of Jesus' resurrection, Thomas the apostle

It may have happened to many of us, the experience of missing an important occasion. We did not know it would take place. It was not planned, we had not expected that a person would come at that moment – but he did and we missed his arrival. Of course, we would have liked to be there but… But did the person REALLY come, or… no, it can’t be!…

This was the situation of Thomas, Thomas the apostle. His character is well-known to us, at least one aspect of it! The Thomas who will not believe without proofs. Thomas who is not easily convinced of things that are just too much to believe. He will not be ‘taken for a ride’, as the popular expression goes! He is not that gullible! His friends tell him that a man who died a few days before has been visiting them – no, this can’t be. The others want him to believe that, unexpectedly, doors closed, all of a sudden, their Master who was crucified has… catholico.wordpress.comappeared, yes, appeared from… nowhere!

His position is clear: he cannot give faith to that… that story of theirs. He will believe it only if he can make sure that it is true, that it is REAL. He needs a proof – THE proof which will convince him such as touching, yes, putting his fingers into the wounds of Jesus, placing his hand where the spear of the soldier entered the side of Jesus’ body.

One day passed, two days, more days followed and then… the unexpected happened again but this time Thomas was present. Not only was he there but he was addressed personally: “Thomas, put your finger… give me your hand… put it into my side…” It was exactly as Thomas had asked for. And then, the words are spoken: “Doubt no longer but believe” (Jn.20:27).

I close the Bible, close my eyes and open my heart, open that secret place where my multi-faceted doubt is rooted, deep, deep within… Doubt that I am accepted by God as I am. Doubt that I am forgiven and will be forgiven as often as I return to him. Doubt that he walks with me on the paths of my daily experience. Doubt that he will enable me to become what he wants me to become. Doubts, so many of them…

What can I do, what can I say? The words come of themselves – the very words pronounced long ago: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn.20:28). There is really no need to add anything more…

Source: Image: pinterest.com