Recherche

image-i-nations trésor

Advent

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C – 2024-2025

13 décembre 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Advent, challenging question, generosity, honesty, John the Baptist, Luke 3:10-18, the way we treat people, truth, What God wants

The text of today’s gospel presents us with people who have come to John the Baptist with the desire to be baptized by him (Luke 3:10-18). 
We are told that they are asking themselves questions.

“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts…”

What they were wondering about was something most important – they were asking themselves…
“if John might possibly be the Messiah”…

So, they wanted to prepare themselves, first by being purified through this rite of purification which was the baptism John administered.
But they realized that more was needed to make themselves acceptable to God when his messenger – “the Messiah”, God’s messenger – would come.

Each group of people asks a question which they know is essential.
Tax collectors, soldiers, the crowd as a whole, they are all questioning John.
They ask him: “What must we do?”

Is it not a question that remains with us, a question that even challenges us, in many situations?
How can we please God?
What should we do, how should we behave?
What does he expect from us in our daily life?

John replies to each of them precisely referring to their life-situation.
The answer he gives them is something practical, concrete, adapted to who they are.

His answers focus on generosity, honesty, truth.
Attitudes that are meant to acknowledge the needs of the people they are in contact with from day to day.
This is something interesting to realize: to please God we must treat his people – everyone we meet – with generosity, honesty, truth.

Rituals, bows and prostrations, repeated formulas of worship, are not what God himself asks for.
What he wants – what he demands, indeed – is that we treat people around us as we would… treat him!

This period of Advent gives us this timely reminder!

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/3e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-c-2024-2025/

Source: Images: https://jesusfootprints.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/johns-baptism/
                               https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/kjv/luke-3-10-kjv.php

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C – 2024-2025

6 décembre 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Advent, commitment, efforts, faithfulness, invitation, Philippians 1:4-6.8-10, what is best, what is excellent

God’s messages come to us in all kinds of ways and forms.
Through the ages, his messengers have proclaimed what they perceived as God’s message for people.
Often, their words – translating Gods words – are an invitation to do something.

This is the case with the apostle Paul as he writes to the Philippians.
Today’s 2nd reading gives us part of what he told them (Philippians 1:4-6,8-10).
What he wishes for them is expressed in these words:

“That you may be able to discern what is best”.
Another translation says: “That you may approve the things that are excellent…”

What is best… what is excellent…
Not to take the easy way out… as we are sometimes tempted to do…
Not to settle for what is… ‘good enough’ – which is, in fact, hardly good at all!
Not to ‘cut corners’ as people say, choosing the less demanding option in carrying on a task.

It is demanding, of course…
It asks for commitment, for efforts, and a good dose of faithfulness to what we see as God’s will.
But Paul assures the first Christians:

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion”. 

We can be assured that he will do no less for us!
This period of Advent may be a good time to allow God to achieve in us what he intends to bring to completion!

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-c-2024-2025/

 

Source: Images: https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/web/philippians-1-10-web.php
                                 https://www.scripture-images.com/desktop-wallpaper/web/philippians-1-6

1st Sunday of Advent, Year C – 2024-2025

29 novembre 2024
Nicole Gregoire
2 Comments
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Advent, depressed, faith, Luke 21:25-28.34-36, Matthew 28:20, posture, Redemption, sad

It is more than a question of posture…
This reflection came to me after reading today’s gospel text (Luke 21:25-28,34-36).

At times, walking on the street, we meet people with the neck deep into their coat.
They go about stooped, with sad faces, obviously downcast and depressed.

We would not be surprised to see such people present in the gospel of this celebration.
The text describes future events that are rather frightening.
The images presented to us represent happenings which we would like to escape.
We are even told:

“People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world”.

Yet, amazingly, in the second verse after this, we are told:

“When these things begin to take place,
stand up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near.”

Yes, it is more than a question of posture!
It is a question of faith in the words of him who has told us:
“Remember that I am always with you until the end of time” (Matthew 28:20).

It is a question of relying on him who assures us:
“Your redemption is drawing near.”

Redemption, liberation: being free from whatever would cause fear, anxiety, restlessness.
This is the message addressed to us as we enter the period of Advent –
the period of awakening to his presence “until the end of time”.

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-c-2024-2025/

 

Source: Images: pexels.com (Fatin Rifat; Mike)

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B – 2023-2024

8 décembre 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 2 Peter 3:8-14, adjust ourselves to God's way, Advent, meaning, measurements, patience, waiting

It happens that people discussing a certain issue may not agree on one point or another.
Then, one person may say with conviction: “It’s a question of… perspective!”

This expression came to my mind as I read the 2nd reading of today’s celebration (2 Peter 3:8-14).
The apostle Peter writing to the first Christians tells them:

“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like a day”.

The words are clear, but we may need some time to realize what they mean.
The saying itself is not obscure, but our minds may not find it easy to grasp fully what it involves.

We may need some… adjustment – adjustment to God’s perspective!
His way of appraising time, yes, but more still appraising reality.
His way of considering life and how it unfolds, and what it allows us to become…

The period of Advent is described as a period of waiting.
It may be the ideal time for us to adjust ourselves to God’s measurements of –
      what is real,
      what has meaning,
      what human experience is about,
      what is our destiny… in this life and… the life after this…

The apostle Peter reminds the first Christians:
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
 Instead, he is patient with you…”

Perhaps we need to learn to be patient also…
Patient with life’s unfolding – disturbing situations, shocking events, unfulfilled expectations…
Patient with ourselves – our limitations, our failures and failings…
Patient also… with God! Yes, for we know him so little… and he is so patient with us!

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-b-2023-2024/

 

Source: Image: Scripture Images  

 

 

 

1st Sunday of Advent, Year A – 2022-2023

25 novembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: a Christian - another Christ, Advent, Philippians 2:5, Romans 13:11-14, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, way of Christ

Week after week, the Sunday Scripture readings give us messages.
Messages that show us the way to become more and more what we are – disciples of Christ.

In today’s 2nd reading, we find Paul’s words as he writes to the first Christians of Rome (Romans 13:11-14).
He tells them:
 
“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

A somehow mysterious advice, one could say.
Yet, it gives us the true meaning of our identity as Christians.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa said that a Christian is meant to be “another Christ” – an amazing expression!
Amazing and… very demanding too.

This means that the way Christ was, this should also be our way.
His way of seeing life, events, situations, people, should be our way.
His way of acting and reacting should de ours too.
The way he was with people of all conditions and situations:

  • rich like Zacchaeus, or poor like the widow offering two coins;
  • powerful like the Jewish leaders, or helpless like the paralyzed man;
  • a person in authority like the Centurion, or an outcast like a leper.

With each and every one, Jesus was welcoming and compassionate, understanding and forgiving.
But he was also demanding, calling every person to the way of truth, honesty, acceptance of others.
His call remains the same to us today.

Paul was echoing the call of Jesus in writing to the Philippians as well.
In words similar to those he had said to the Romans, he tells them clearly:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
 
This period of Advent starting today is a good time to renew our determination to walk this way…
 
 
 
Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-a-2022-2023/
 

Source: Image: Ryan Callahan’s Blog

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C – 2021

3 décembre 2021
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Advent, choices, commitments, décisions, discern, Ph.1:8-11, Philippians 1:4-6, priorities, time, values

It happens to most of us: we sometimes feel we have too much to do, too many things to see to.
The commitments we have taken on are just too many.
The people relying on us for help, or advice, are too many, and their demand on our time is more than we can afford to give.
We may sit down one night and say: « I can’t go on like this, I must make some choices, take some decisions.”

We see it: in such a situation, what is needed is to set some priorities.
What is the most important, to what should I first give my attention, my time, my energy?
In fact, what we need to do is… to discern.

This is exactly what the apostle Paul tells the Philippians to do.
In the 2nd reading of this Sunday, we hear his words (Ph.1:4-6,8-11):

“This is my prayer: (…) that you may be able to discern what is best.”
 
In this period of Advent, this may be what we, too, are called to do: see what is best.
Find out what is really important in life, what we should invest ourselves in.

  • Which are the commitments we can take on at the moment?
  • What are the causes that are worth giving our time and efforts to?
  • Who are the people really in need of assistance?
  • What are the values that should prompt us to act, or withdraw?

And… would God approve of my selection?
Is he the one inspiring me to move in this or that direction?

Discerning what is best… is all about that, and Advent is a good period to reflect on this.

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-c-2021/

And in a short video, also in French, Ghislaine Deslières offers us another reflection on this 2nd Sunday of Advent at: https://youtu.be/jN7uIU0V9-E

 

Source: Images: Dreamstime.com

1st Sunday of Advent, Year C – 2021

26 novembre 2021
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: adjust, Advent, future, God's ways, honesty, integrity, Jr.33:14-16, justice, promise

There is no doubt about it: this 1st Sunday of Advent invites us to look to the future.
A promise is essentially doing this and it is a promise that we are given in the 1st reading (Jr.33:14-16).
The text of the prophet Jeremiah gives us God’s words in a clear language:

“The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfil the gracious promise I made…
In those days, I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.”
 
We often speak of God’s grace, yes, our God is a gracious God.
He delights in showering on us his blessings of all kinds.
The promise he makes is that the Gracious One – the Righteous One – will do what is good for us.

Another translation of the text uses the words “honesty and integrity”
And the one who is coming to us in God’s name – God himself – is called:
“The Lord-our-integrity.”
 
We all want to receive good things from God, but how can we be sure that his blessings will be ours?
I would venture to say that the best way is to… ad-just ourselves to God’s ways –
that is to become just ourselves –

just in our ways of thinking
just in our ways of judging situations
just in our choices and decisions
just in the plans we make and the options we choose
just in our relations with people…

In other words: behaving with honesty and integrity.

This could be the first step in this Advent period as we set on the path to welcome anew God’s coming to us.

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-c-2021/

And in a short video, also in French, Ghislaine Deslières offers us another reflection on this 1st Sunday of Advent at: https://youtu.be/lpkMLsxne3s

 

Source: Image: slideplayer.com

4th Sunday of Advent, Year B – 2020

18 décembre 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 'God-with-us', Advent, angel, believe, Emmanuel, Eucharistic celebration - Mass, Holy Family, Luke 1:26-38, message, Nativity scene, wish

We get used to things that we do often; used also to the words we repeat day after day.
The words we speak during our liturgical celebrations are no exception and…
sad to say, all too often we repeat them with our minds busy with all kinds of other thoughts.

During the Eucharistic celebration (the Mass) more than once, the priest tells us:
“The Lord be with you.”
We respond immediately – or at least, most of us do –
“And also with you.”
 
These 5 words addressed to us by the celebrant sound somehow like a wish,
a prayerful one but still a wish.
I know a few priests who rather say: “The Lord IS with you.”
 
These are the very words with which the angel Gabriel greeted Mary.
We hear them again in today’s gospel text (Luke 1:26-38).
I wonder if Mary was surprised?… Amazed?… Delighted?…
Wondering what would follow this greeting?…
Did she truly believe the message these words expressed?
 
The first time I heard the words repeated during Mass, I was suddenly made aware of what was said… to ME!
And, for some time after, I kept repeating silently to myself: The Lord is with me…
 
Perhaps this is the purpose of the period of Advent: to realize that God is with us –
yes, already with us!
We need not wait for the Nativity scene to make us believe it.

The reproduction of the Holy Family in a stable, or a cave, or any kind of shelter, will not make this more real.
It will only be a reminder of who God is now and for ever: EMMANUEL – GOD-WITH-US.

Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-b-2020/

 

Source: Image: YouTube

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B – 2020

11 décembre 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Advent, awareness, benefit, invitation, Jn.1:19-28, Jn.1:6-8, John the Baptist, Presence of God, Prophets

“You did not see this!” or “Did you not hear that?”
“You have not done this?” or “You have not been there!”

Whether in the form of a question, or an exclamation, many people do not like to be addressed in this way.
Somehow, they perceive such words as an accusation, an indication that they have missed something.
And… perhaps they have indeed missed something…
They may have missed out on something they would have greatly benefitted from!

In today’s gospel (Jn.1:6-8,19-28), we meet John the Baptist with the people sent to question him on his true identity.
Having denied that he is any of the prophets or God’s special messenger, he tells them:

“There stands One among you whom you do not know.”

Enigmatic? Perhaps.
Prophetic? Certainly
It is an invitation to become aware of a presence – the presence of one as yet unrecognized.

This is the very invitation addressed to us in this period of Advent.
No matter how long we have been Christians, there is a permanent need to become more aware of this presence.
A permanent need to discover anew who is this God who constantly comes to us… at times, in some unlikely disguises!
A need, an invitation to know him more deeply from day to day… among us…
 
Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/3e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-b-2020/

Source: Images: BibleAsk    Free Bible Images

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B – 2020

4 décembre 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Advent, change, choices, commitments, décisions, faith, improvement, Is 40:1-5, Is 40:9-11, Mk.1:1-8

 We know well about spring cleaning, or autumn cleaning – a time when we clear and clean many things around our houses.

The city council also knows much about road repair – it must be done again and again at the end of a season.

In both cases there is a need for change and improvement.
These two pictures came to my mind as I read the 1st reading and the gospel of this Sunday (Is.40:1-5,9-11; Mk.1:1-8).

We might not get involved in house cleaning or road repair but it may be that… some areas of our lives need change and improvement of some kind for us to welcome the Lord…Our values may need to be upgraded…

  • Our choices may benefit from being more other-centered…
  • Our decisions may gain from being more inspired by lasting concerns…
  • Our attitude to other people may be improved with respect and acceptance…
  • Our commitments may need an increase of generosity…
  • Our faith may want to be deepened…

During this period of Advent, this could be OUR straightening of paths and lowering of mountains.
It may look, at first, as a formidable task but we are not expected to do it on our own.
The Holy Spirit within us is always willing to enable us to do what is asked of us.

Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/?p=16658&preview=true

 

Source: Images: Space-O Technologies   Be HBG!