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4th Sunday of Year B – 2024

Usually, most people look for things that are genuine, ‘the real thing’, they say.
The also want to relate to people who are authentic, they despise any form of pretense.
And of course, they easily detect what is ‘fake news,’ or doubtful information.

It is real appreciation when it is said of someone: “He knows what he is talking about!”

This expression came to my mind as I read the gospel text of today’s celebration (Mark 1:21-28).
The reaction of the those listening to Jesus’ preaching is described in these terms:

“The people were amazed at his teaching,
because he taught them as one who had authority,
not as the teachers of the law”.

This appraisal is repeated after the demoniac present in the group is cured by Jesus:
“The people were all so amazed that they asked each other,
‘What is this? A new teaching – and with authority’!”

Jesus’ words have the ring of truth and authenticity.
His message reaches people’s minds and touches people’s hearts.

At times, reading the gospel texts, some people tend to say:
‘Well, this is good to see but… it happened so long ago.
Nowadays, things are not the same…’

Of course, we do not witness a scene such as the one described in today’s text.
But God’s presence with us through Christ is no less real.
Christ’s message – if we allow it to do so – can also reach our minds and touch our hearts.

When we have an important decision to make…
When we must make a choice heavy with consequences…
When we have to deal with a situation that can have momentous results…
When we must help a person and give some advice that requires more than human wisdom…

Christ’s words, Christ’s real presence will not fail us… if only we entrust ourselves to him.
Having become one of us, he knows what our lives are about…

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/

 

Source: Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 

 

 

Différents visages… de la vérité

Il y a les nouvelles et… les rumeurs, et…
ce qu’on nomme les ‘bruits de couloirs’, les ‘oui-dire’.
Et il y en a en abondance, il faut le dire.
De nos jours, on parle de ‘fake news’, utilisant sa forme anglo-saxonne.
 

Lise Massé a récemment été témoin d’une conversation qui a tourné à
ce qui n’était plus un échange d’information, mais davantage à…
Mais écoutons-la nous en parler elle-même!
 

 

34th Sunday of Year B, Feast of Christ the King – 2021

He came, long ago, but some still speak about him.
What he said, what he did, what he taught, how he related to people.
It was said that: “Nobody ever spoke like this man” (John 7:46).
 
He was… different, yes, everyone could see this, different yet…
There was something about him that drew people to him.
He did not look for glory or fame, no, he was concerned about others.
One day, they had tried to make him king (John 6:15) but he had escaped –
this was not at all what he had in mind.

Brought before the authority, he told a Roman procurator why he had come to our world (John 18:33-37):
“The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.
Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

If he came back to our world today…
If he came back, would he repeat these words?
Would he find people ready to listen to his voice?

He would be all too aware of:

the fake news,
the unfounded revelation of presumed facts,
the systematic distortion of evidence,
the prevailing disinformation,
the exaggeration of narratives,
the manipulation of witnesses,
the bias of some medias,
the misrepresentation of events,
the falsification of documents,
the attempts to pervert justice…

“Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Would there be some?
Would we be among them, no matter the cost?
 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/34e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-fete-du-christ-roi-2021/

 

Source: Image: www.pinterest.com

Pentecôte, année B – 2021

Un poète mystique persan a dit: « La vérité est un miroir tombé de la main de Dieu et qui s’est brisé. Chacun en ramasse un fragment et dit que toute la vérité s’y trouve. » (Djolâl ad-Din Rumi, 1207-1273)

Ce texte m’est revenu à la mémoire en lisant l’évangile de cette fête de la Pentecôte (Jn.15:26-27; 16:12-15).
Alors qu’il partage avec ses apôtres le dernier repas avant sa Passion, Jésus leur parle de celui qui viendra en son nom
et, à deux reprises, il le nomme: ‘l’Esprit de vérité’.
Et Dieu sait combien nous avons besoin de lui!

Sans honte aucune, certains segments de la société présentent comme vérité tout un amas de ‘fake news’ –
fausses nouvelles fabriquées au gré de ceux qui en font la promotion.
Certains politiciens peu scrupuleux et des responsables de médias qui ne le sont pas davantage mènent une propagande destinée à s’assurer des disciples qui soutiennent leur cause envers et contre tous!
Les médias sociaux emboîtent le pas et rajoutent des éléments peu fiables à ce qui circule déjà.
La vérité? Elle n’est pas une denrée monnayable, alors pourquoi s’en embarrasser?

Les paroles de Jésus sont vieilles de plus de 2000 ans mais sont message reste toujours d’actualité.
Il nous assure que c’est son Esprit qui nous guidera vers la vérité entière.
MA vérité n’est pas LA vérité, pas plus que celle de tout un chacun.
Il nous faut être prêt à recueillir les fragments de vérité où qu’ils se trouvent.

La fête de ce jour nous offre une invitation à devenir les disciples de celui qui a affirmé :
« Je suis la vérité » Jn.14:6).
Lui dont l’Esprit est toujours là pour nous guider vers la vérité tout entière (Jn.16:13).
 
Évidemment, une invitation attend une réponse…

Note: Une autre réflexion sur un thème différent est disponible en anglais à: https://image-i-nations.com/pentecost-year-b-2021/

 

Source: Image: www.focuselectro.com

 

 

7th Sunday of Year A – 2020

Most people like to be seen… at their best!
In general, people want to have a reputation that can bring them praise.
We like to be known for our good qualities, our generous actions, our inspiring attitude in any given situation.
We wish people to appreciate who we are and what we do.

I expect that the Corinthians to whom the apostle Paul was writing (2nd reading: 1 Cor.3:16-23)
were quite the same as we are.
The words that Paul addressed them may have come rather as a shock, an unpleasant one at that!

“Do not deceive yourselves.
If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, 
you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.
As it is written: ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile’.”

In other words: our human wisdom is short-sighted, narrow-minded, incomplete,
in fact: not really wise at all.
I doubt whether any of us will accept this easily…
Whenever we make a good resolution, it would be surprising to find it worded as:
“From now on, I’ll be a fool.”

But Paul makes it clear that we should become fool in order to become wise.
We can ask ourselves: What is the foolishness we need to abandon?

It comes in many guises:

– the ‘fake news’ so popular nowadays;
– the malicious gossip;
– the hopeless plans;
– the foolhardy ventures;
– the futile pursuit of pseudo-values;
– the misguided attempts to succeed without effort;
– the empty boasting of one’s qualities;
– the erroneous belief that one is always right;
– the paranoiac attitude claiming that people are always against us;
   and you can add to the list…

God’s wisdom granted to us by God’s own Spirit is one of genuine trust and hope.
It makes us go through life at peace with God, with others and with ourselves.

It is worth becoming a fool to gain it, is it not?! 

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/7e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2020/

 

Source: Image: Calvary Chapel of Emmet

 

Le Pape François… un journaliste?

Avant-hier, 2 juin, nous avons souligné la Journée mondiale des Communications Sociales – journée initiée par l’Église catholique à l’issue du Concile Vatican ll.
On se rappelle que l’an dernier le thème choisi par le Pape était : ‘les fausses nouvelles’ – nouvelles erronées inventées de toute pièce pour capter l’attention d’un public avide de sensation.

À la fin de mai cette année, le Pape a reçu en audience un groupe de journalistes de Rome appartenant à la Foreign Press Association.
Le Pape a alors déclaré : « La liberté de la presse et liberté d’expression est un indice important de la santé d’un pays.

Le Pape compte des journalistes parmi ses amis et il a donné un nombre exceptionnel d’entrevues à des groupes de ces professionnels.
Lors de sa rencontre avec eux la semaine dernière, il a assuré ses visiteurs qu’il considère leur travail comme étant très important puisqu’il contribue à la recherche de la vérité
et que « la vérité vous rendra libres (Jn.8:32).

De leur côté, les journalistes ont fait le Pape un membre de leur Association et lui ont donné une carte d’identité de journaliste dont le numéro est 5313!
 

Source : Information : The Tablet, 25 mai 2019   Image : comshalom.org

Journée mondiale des communications sociales – 2 juin 2019

Nous célébrons la Journée mondiale des communications sociales chaque année le dimanche suivant la fête de l’Ascension. Chaque année également, le 24 janvier-en la fête de Saint François de Sales (patron des journalistes) – le Pape publie un message annonçant le thème de l’année.

Depuis Vatican II
Instituée à l’initiative de l’église catholique, à l’issue du concile Vatican II, la journée des communications sociales manifestait à l’époque la prise de conscience des enjeux de société (moraux et spirituels) que représentaient les moyens de communication de masse. En France, cette journée est connue sous le nom de Journée Chrétienne de la communication et est une occasion de réfléchir aux enjeux d’une communication fidèle à l’enseignement de l’église et respectueuse de la dignité humaine.

Dire que la situation a changé depuis 40 ans relève de l’évidence et le fait que vous lisiez cette notice directement sur votre ordinateur fait rapidement prendre conscience du chemin parcouru. Le thème choisi pour la journée mondiale des communications sociales en 2011 avait d’ailleurs été: « Vérité, annonce et authenticité de vie à l’ère du numérique ».

En 2013, elle s’intéresse aux réseaux sociaux.

En 2014, elle est axée sur « La communication au service d’une authentique culture de la rencontre ».

La journée mondiale des communications sociales du 13 mai 2018 (veut) s’attaquer à la problématique des « fausses nouvelles » souvent dénommées « fake news », c’est-à-dire les informations infondées qui contribuent à générer et à alimenter une forte polarisation de l’opinion. l’Église catholique souhaite offrir sa contribution en proposer une réflexion sur les causes, les logiques et les conséquences de la désinformation dans les médias. Elle souhaite aussi promouvoir un journalisme professionnel, à la recherche de la vérité, et favorisant la compréhension entre les personnes.

Chaque année, le Saint-Siège publie un message à l’occasion de cette journée, à retrouver directement sur le site officiel du Vatican. On peut aussi directement suivre les messages du Saint-Père sur Twitter.

Source : Texte & Image : Journée Mondiale

Message pour la 53ème Journée Mondiale de la Communication 2019

La prochaine Journée mondiale de la communication, qui se tiendra le dimanche 2 juin 2019,aura pour thème : « Nous sommes membres les uns des autres » (Ép. 4,25). Des communautés de réseaux sociaux à la communauté humaine.

« Chers frères et sœurs,
Depuis l’avènement de l’Internet, l’Église a toujours cherché à en promouvoir l’utilisation au service de la rencontre entre les personnes et de la solidarité entre tous. Avec ce Message, je voudrais vous inviter une fois de plus à réfléchir sur le fondement et l’importance de notre être-en relation et à redécouvrir, dans l’immensité des défis du contexte actuel de la communication, le désir de l’homme qui ne veut pas rester dans sa solitude. »

Source : Texte : https:eglisecatholique.fr/vatican  Publié le 24 mai 2019

 

 

World Communications Day – 13 May

World Communications Day is a worldwide celebration which follows the 1963 decree Inter Mirifica addressing the media of social communications and which was published during the Second Vatican ‎Council.  World Communications Day is now marked annually in most countries on the Sunday before Pentecost Sunday, which this year falls on 13 May.  In some countries, the day is marked as the solemnity of Ascension.

Pope Francis announced the 2018 theme for the 52nd World Communications Day to be: “’The truth will set you free’ (Jn 8:32). Fake news and journalism for peace.”  This year’s message focuses on the harmful effects of fake news against journalism for peace.

The first World Communications Day was observed on May 7, 1967, under the pontificate of Blessed Pope Paul VI, who wished to draw attention to the communications media and the enormous power they have for cultural transformation.

Pope Francis’ 2018 message which was published on 24 January, the feast day of Saint Francis de Sales (1567 – 1622), bishop of Geneva and founder of the Visitation Sisters.  Saint Francis de Sales is the patron saint of writers, editors and journalists.

Pope Francis starts his message with these words:

“Communication is part of God’s plan for us and an essential way to experience fellowship.  Made in the image and likeness of our Creator, we are able to express and share all that is true, good, and beautiful. We are able to describe our own experiences and the world around us, and thus to create historical memory and the understanding of events…” 

And he concludes in this way:

« Drawing inspiration from a Franciscan prayer, we might turn to the Truth in person:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Help us to recognize the evil latent in a communication
that does not build communion.
Help us to remove the venom from our judgements.
Help us to speak about others as our brothers and sisters.
You are faithful and trustworthy;
may our words be seeds of goodness for the world:
 where there is shouting, let us practice listening;
where there is confusion, let us inspire harmony;
where there is ambiguity, let us bring clarity;
where there is exclusion, let us offer solidarity;
where there is sensationalism, let us use sobriety;
where there is superficiality, let us raise real questions;
where there is prejudice, let us awaken trust;
where there is hostility, let us bring respect;
where there is falsehood, let us bring truth. Amen.

FRANCIS

From the Vatican, 24 January 2018, the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales.

Source: Text & Image: www.catholicbishops.ie

 

 

24th Sunday of the Year A

The parable of Jesus in the gospel of this Sunday (24th Sunday of Year A – Mt 18:21-35) is well-known but, I must admit, I never get used to its… demanding message!
Simply put, the last verse says that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us either.
This makes me more than a little… uncomfortable!

I wonder if there is any one among us who does not find it hard, very hard at times, to forgive someone who has hurt us.

To forgive:

  • Someone who has spread false rumours against us – ‘fake news’ is a current practice!
  • Someone who has deprived us of a promotion which was truly deserved.
  • Someone who has ‘stolen’ the love that was rightly ours from a spouse of many years…

And the list could go on, every example more painful than the previous one.
The deed may have been wicked, the outcome devastating, and the wound may seem incurable.

Every time I hear, or read, this gospel text, I feel inclined to tell the Lord: “You don’t really mean this, Lord!…”
But I know well that he does…

This time, having read the gospel, I went to the text of the 1st reading (Si.27:30 – 28:7)
and… the last verse caught my attention (in the French text):

“Ne garde pas de rancune envers le prochain…
et sois indulgent pour qui ne sait pas. »

The English translation of the Jerusalem Bible simply says:
“Do not bear your neighbour ill-will…
and overlook the offence.” (Si.28:7-8)  

(The American Bible translation has: “Overlook a mistake”).
Neither of them gave the meaning I had found in the French words…
I kept searching and…

In the King James version I found this interesting translation:
Bear no malice to thy neighbour… and wink at ignorance.”

These words immediately brought back to my mind the words Jesus spoke on the cross:
“Forgive them, Father, they do not know what they are doing” (Lc.23:34).

So often, it is so…
People do not realize, they can be foolish, but not really evil.
If they truly saw and understood, if they were aware of what their words and actions do to others, then… perhaps they would not do what they do…

When I feel like telling the Lord: “You don’t really mean this, Lord!…”, it seems to me that I hear:
“Of course, not… not on your own… but my Spirit is with you to enable you to do it…”
Personally, this is the only way I can stop protesting and … start pardoning – poorly, awkwardly perhaps, but sincerely.

Source: Image: LDS