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27th Sunday of Year C – 2019

Questions are very much part of our lives.
From day to day, we ask questions from one another.
We may be looking for information, or we may be asking for direction,
but questions are definitely a means of interaction that we often use among ourselves.

But questions are also part of the interaction of human beings with God
and it has been so for a very long time indeed.

The 1st reading of this 27th Sunday is a good example of this (Ha.1:2-3; 2:2-4).
Some may say a rather… shocking example!
The prophet Habakkuk is not asking God for information, direction, or even inspiration.
The many questions he addresses God express his desperation.

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?
 Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?”

HOW LONG? WHY? Questions that many people nowadays would be tempted to address God as well.
Violence, injustice, wrongdoing, all these are still part of our world.
They are still part of the life experience of many –
the many who find themselves in a situation of crisis, feeling desperate and helpless.

“Then the Lord replied:
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
    it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
    it will certainly come and will not delay.

God has answered Habakkuk and his answer is still valid today.
We need to wait with the conviction that he hears and he will answer… in his own time.
Though it may linger, we need to wait for his reply…

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/27e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2019/

 

Source: Images: Pinterest   aboitebaptistchurch.org

 

 

1st Sunday of Lent, Year C – 2019

“It is too good to be true!” – no doubt, you have heard these words as well as I have.
Some people do not want to be seen as naive, or gullible, believing easily any piece of good news.
They are not trusting easily the messengers of happy tidings.

Strange – and sad to say – some will even doubt THE… ‘good news’!
The good news of who God is and what he wants to be for us.

It is true that he goes far beyond what we could expect or even dream of.
This thought comes to me as I read again the words of today’s response
to the 1st reading (Ps.91:1-2,10-15) where God himself says:

“I rescue all who cling to me,
I protect whoever knows my name,
I answer everyone who invokes me,,
I am with them when they are in trouble.”
 
“All… Whoever… Everyone…”
No restriction, no limits, no qualification or credentials required.
No past experience or achievement of any kind.
One and all are acceptable to this God of ours –
a God who is waiting, always waiting for our return to him.

This is what Lent is about, is it not?
To return and to REMIND ourselves of this amazing truth…
When it is God who speaks, is it not too good NOT to be true!

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-du-careme-annee-c-2019/

A short video is also available on this theme in French: https://youtu.be/cpfWC7eed1A

Source: Image: Kozman