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24th Sunday of Year A – 2023

15 septembre 2023
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: compassion, empathy, forgiving, God's forgiveness, Matthew 1821-35, Matthew 6:12, Psalm 103:1-4, Psalm 103:9-12, Sirach 27:30 – 28:9, sympathy

 

WORDS: we utter them, we hear them, we write them – we use them in all kinds of situations.
They are the tools of communication, they are very much part of our lives.

It is obvious that the meaning of words is essential for good understanding among us.
If the words used are not understood properly, then uncertainty, indecision, confusion, can take place.

This reflection came to me as I read the texts of this Sunday.
The 1st reading (Sirach 27:30 – 28:9), the Psalm used as a response (Psalm 103:1-4,9-12) and the gospel (Matthew 18:21-35), are about the same theme.
They key idea is very clearly about forgiving our neighbour.

Different words are used to speak about the inner sentiment that can inspire us to forgive:
pity – mercy – sympathy – empathy – clemency – tender-heartedness –
all of them are meant to describe the attitude we should have which will lead us to grant pardon to someone.

But there is another word – used in the Psalm – which, to me, expresses best the feeling we should have:
it is that of COMPASSION.
Looking at the two roots of this word: com-passion, we perceive its meaning as suffering with.
It is the attitude of someone who feels for, or feels with, someone else.

This sentiment enables us to become more attuned to God – the forgiving God, he:
“who forgives all your sins…
who crowns you with love and compassion…”

He is the one who asks of us to be like him in this way.
In fact, he makes it the very condition for him to forgive us…

In an echo of today’s gospel text, Jesus said in his Father’s name:
“If you do not forgive others,
your Father will not forgive your failings either”  (Matthew 6:15).
 
May the Spirit of forgiveness lead us on this way,
as Jesus taught us to pray:

“Forgive us our debts,
as we forgive those in debt to us” (Matthew 6:12).
 

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/24e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/

 

Source: Images: pexels.com (Engin Akyurt)     Scripture Images

 

 

 

 

16th Sunday of Year A – 2023

21 juillet 2023
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: blessing, forgiving, images of God, John 3:16-17, lenience, pictures, Wisdom 12:13-19

Many of us have a collection of pictures and images.
Some people hold on to photos of past holidays with family and friends.
Others may have old cuttings from magazines about cinema stars, or athletes.
Others still may have religious pictures of different saints.

But there are other kinds of images, perhaps more precious.
They cannot be held in your hands, or stuck in a book, but they are no less real…
They are mental pictures, the images that our minds bring to us.
These representations are sometimes vividly present to us, or sometimes less so.

Among these images are the ones we have formed about… God.
Each one of us have his/her own pictures of who God is.
Over the years, these images may have changed –
some have been abandoned, others have been clarified, others are… still being sketched in us…

Today’s 1st reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 12:13-19) gives us a very beautiful picture of God.
It describes God as we should recognize him.
In the words of Solomon, we can perceive how God wants to be known to us.

“There is no god, other than you, who cares for everything…
Your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all…
You are mild in judgement,
You govern us with great lenience…
You have given your children the good hope that after sin you will grant repentance.”

It is as if God’s greatness and power were… for our benefit!
He delights, not in showing strength, but in showering gifts on us.
His justice is expressed in blessing and forgiving.

 

This text of the Old Testament was in anticipation of what Jesus would tell us about God:

“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost…
God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world
but so that through him the world might be saved.”    (John 3:16-17)
 
This is the true picture of God – the God of Jesus, our God…

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/16e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/

 

Source: Image (text added): pexels (Ian Turnell)

4th Sunday of Lent, C

3 mars 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: extravagance, forgiving, giving, Lk.15:11-32, Prodigal Father, Prodigal son

In many public places, the decor of the waiting-rooms displays some works of art: it can be paintings, sculptures, framed texts, etc.
It is always interesting to look at such pieces and to look also at the titles given to these items.
More than once, I have observed that, surprisingly, the name given to the art works does not correspond to the subject matter of the exhibits. It simply does not reflect what is shown!

Strangely enough, I have the same feeling with the gospel story of this 4th Sunday of Lent (year C): the parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk.15:11-32).
To me, the title should be: The Prodigal FATHER.njchodae.net
In Jesus’ story it is not the son who is prodigal but the father!
It is indeed the father who is giving, and giving again, to his undeserving son, and forgiving him without questioning.

The attitude of someone prodigal is that of a person giving lavishly, over-abundantly, not measuring, not keeping count, piling up good things on a loved one. Such giving, giving with such profusion, some people would qualify of… extravagance!

This was the father’s way:
– giving in to the son who wanted his inheritance there and then;
– keeping hope that the ‘lost’ son will return one day;
– watching the horizon to see if he is not on the way;
– welcoming him back with deep joy;
– no questioning, no checking on what happened, where the son went, how he spent the money and with whom – nothing of the sort: only a warm embrace that restores the son to his right place near the father, no matter the indignation and the recrimination of the other son.

I must admit that… I have never met such a father among the people I live with and those I meet wherever I go.
But… I can say that I have met one – the very One Jesus told us about – who gives more than can ever be expected, or hoped for…
No matter how far we have strayed, no matter how mean and selfish we have shown ourselves to be: an overwhelming welcome is given to us, day after day, after day….
I know from experience what ‘prodigality’ is – God’s own, I mean!

Source: Image: njchodae.net