image-i-nations trésor

20th Sunday of Year C – 2019

“Lost in translation” – this is the expression used to say that a word, or idea, has not been rendered in a satisfactory manner.
When a text does not reflect the original meaning of a script, people say that the original or the ‘real’ meaning has been lost in translation’!

Some might argue that this applies to the first verse of the Psalm in today’s celebration.
It reads: “I waited patiently for the Lord” (Ps.40:1) (NIV: New International Version).

The Jerusalem Bible translation says:
“I waited and waited for the Lord.”

While the first translation stresses the patience involved in waiting,
the second one, with its repetition, describes an ongoing attitude.

Translated literally, the Latin text says:
“Waiting, I have been waiting for the Lord…”
 
Less elegant an expression, perhaps, but strong and really meaningful –
as if there were no place for any other activity but that of… WAITING for the Lord. 

This is not the place to quibble over the matter.
It is better and more encouraging to note the outcome of such a persevering wait:

“At last, the Lord has stooped to me and heard my cry for help.
He has pulled me out… and steadied my steps…
He has put in my mouth a song of praise to our God” (Ps.40:2-3).
 
It is indeed worthwhile to wait, is it not?…
 
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/20e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2019/
 

Source: Image: Pexels

30th Sunday of Year A

 

 

 

 

 

If I were to say : ”Here are the people God prefers”, some may be quick to reply :
“God has no favourites”, saint Paul says it clearly when writing to the Romans (Rom.2:11).

And yet… I believe that God is… partial to some people among all his children.
They are mentioned many times throughout the Bible:
the widows, the orphans, the strangers, the weak, the needy, the downcast, those whose rights are ignored.
Amazingly, God affirms that he, himself, will defend them.

It is the message of this Sunday’s 1st reading: (30th Sunday Year A – Ex.22:20-26).
The text is forceful and the words challenging, to say the least:

“You must not molest the stranger or oppress him…
You must not be harsh with the widow, or with the orphan;
if you are harsh with them, they will surely cry out to me,
and be sure I shall hear their cry.”
 
Many texts of Scripture repeat this message clearly given also in Psalm 82:2-4:
“Let the weak and the orphan have justice,
be fair to the wretched and destitute;
rescue the weak and needy.”

The lowly and the needy, those despised and rejected, the victims of exploitation and repression, the ones who experience dejection and rejection – all of them have a special… power, it seems – the power to touch God’s heart and be favoured with his compassion.

If God hears their cry, we, who should reflect God’s image, should we not do as much?…

Source: Images: blogs.tribune.com.pk        Youtube    Soul Sheperding