image-i-nations trésor
God’s presence
24th Sunday of Year B – 2024
The reflection on the texts of our celebration is usually focused on one of the readings.
But today it is centered on a verse of the Psalm used as a response to the 1st reading (Psalm 116:1-6,8-9).
“I will walk in the presence of the Lord”.
This is an inspiring decision as a guide for the whole of my life.
Walking in the presence of God, walking with him…
– Listening to him
– Following his inspiration
– Moving at the rhythm he sets
– Adopting the values he proposes
– Leaving aside the useless, the unimportant
– Relying on him for all I need
– Trusting him in all situations
– Daring to surrender all of my life to him…
The text of the Psalm has much to sustain my attempts to live in this way, assuring me:
“The Lord listens to my prayer,
He bends down to listen to me when I call.
The Lord defends the simple,
he saved me when I was brought to my knees…
He has rescued me from death,
my eyes from tears and my feet from stumbling”.
All reasons supporting my resolve, indeed:
“I will walk in the presence of the Lord”.
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/24e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/
Source: Image: https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/web/psalms-116-9-web.php
Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B – 2024
It is interesting to observe children doing different things on their own.
It is even more fascinating to see them interacting with one another.
Recently, I passed by a boy and a girl chatting with much excitement.
The boy said loudly: “My father is stronger than yours”!
But my father is more clever than yours!”, replied the girl.
I kept walking thinking of… the readings of the celebration of this Sunday: Trinity Sunday.
The thought suddenly came to me: Do I have the same enthusiasm at the fact that I the child of… God!
How many Christians experience joy, comfort, security, when they become aware that God is truly their Father?
The Apostle Paul knew he had to remind the Christians of Rome of this extraordinary reality (Romans 8:14-17):
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;
rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Is it that we do not realize that having been baptized we are indeed children of God?…
Could it be that we are so used to hearing sermons that speak about this that the words no longer touch us?…
Do we doubt that this is true, really true, for us personally – feeling unworthy, having been unfaithful to God, unaware of his presence and care?…
There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that can deprive us of our special condition of being God’s child.
Our dignity is not self-acquired, it is his gift to us – we are “adopted” by him and without condition!
God our Father showers over us his blessings of all kinds –
– his tenderness shelters us,
– his compassion comforts us,
– his mercy forgives us,
– his faithfulness accompanies us,
– his unfailing presence gives us security.
The only thing we need to contribute is… our faith that it is so.
And… even that, he is ready to give us… if only we cry, “Abba, Father”.
Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-la-sainte-trinite-annee-b-2024/
Source: Image: https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/web/romans-8-16
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
Sunday of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Year A – 2023
When we experience something good, we would like this experience to last.
What we enjoy, we would want to keep on enjoying.
Today’s gospel text shows us a vivid example of this (Matthew 17:1-9).
Three of Jesus’ apostles see him transfigured, he appears glorified before them.
So, Peter says spontaneously:
“Lord, it is good for us to be here.
If you wish, I will put up three shelters –
one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
But when this experience becomes one that envelops them in God’s presence,
suddenly, the reaction of the apostles changes completely.
We are told:
“When the disciples heard this, (God speaking to them, addressing them personally)
they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.”
Amazing, is it not?
So often, we want to reach God, we try to get closer to him.
And… when he, himself, gets close to us, we are terrified!
Jesus touched the apostles. He said: “Don’t be afraid.”
The lesson we need to learn, and learn again…
NOT to be afraid of God!
Why would we perceive his presence as a threat?
Why do we interpret his closeness as something we should fear?
Long ago he has revealed himself as:
“A God of tenderness and compassion…
rich in kindness and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).
Tenderness, compassion, kindness, faithfulness…
We could repeat these words like a mantra… and remain ever at peace…
Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/dimanche-de-la-transfiguration-du-seigneur-annee-a-2023/
Source: Image: LiturgyTools.net
3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A – 2023
It happens so often with Bible texts:
the events related and the scenes described there reflect much of… ourselves.
The way people act and react often depicts something of our own attitudes.
Today’s first reading is a good example of this (Exodus 17:3-17).
The people of Israel, having escaped from Egypt, are now travelling through the desert.
There is no water available at the place they have reached, and they are thirsty.
Being thirsty makes them angry!
They turn to Moses accusing him of being responsible for this situation.
Moses led them out of the country where they were slaves, but they do not credit this to him.
On the contrary, they quarrel with him “almost ready to stone him”.
But more still, they question… God’s presence in their midst.
He does not seem to care for their pressing need of water.
They test him saying:
“Is the Lord among us or not?”
When things do not turn out as we would like, do we throw the blame on others?
When some events happen that we cannot control, do we quarrel and accuse those around us?
When some situations exceed our power, do we attack even people who have helped us?
Would we be ready to question God’s ways with us?
Do we sometimes hold him responsible for our misfortune?
Could it be that we take our distances from him since his help is not coming as we would want it?
Are we ready to test him to see if he really cares?
The Scripture text mentions two words in a foreign language (Hebrew):
“Massah and Meribah”.
Massah means testing and Meribah means quarreling.
The next time we are tempted to quarrel with people and to test God,
we could silently repeat these words, a little like a mantra… ‘Massah… Meribah’…
and wait for God to provide for our need, as he did for his people in the desert.
He cannot fail to do so…
Note: In the following video Arlene Priti Mascargnhas personifies the Samaritan Woman who tells us about her meeting at the well of Jacob: https://youtu.be/jU09NpjS27w
Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/3e-dimanche-du-careme-de-lannee-a-2023/
Source: Image: Making Him Known
Ash Wednesday, Year A – 2023
Children like to exchange secrets as they whisper to one another.
Teenagers will hide their secrets in a very private diary.
Spies, of course, are masters of the secret world.
Lovers, it is said, thrive on well-guarded secrets of their own.
Could it be that even… God enjoys secrets?
Today’s gospel text would lead us to believe so (Matthew 6:1-6,16-18).
Three times, Jesus repeats:
“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
The gospel message could be summarized in these words:
When we want to please God, we should not be acting a part in public.
Praying, fasting, giving alms – these special actions that we are advised to do in this period of Lent –
should be done only and purely “in secret” – with the sole intention of coming closer to God.
The temptation can arise to impress others with our self-denial, or our generosity.
Pretending to be holy is not the genuine holiness, but make-believe.
Showing off under the guise of religious observance is something fictitious.
Jesus’ message is clear and direct:
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.
If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Intimacy with God – which is what Lent invites us to – is best achieved “in secret”.
This is THE way to God’s presence experienced in deed and in truth…
Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/mercredi-des-cendres-annee-a-2023/
Source: Image: God’s Kingdom Come – She Reads Truth
3rd Sunday of Year C – 2022
Listening to a speaker can be interesting, inspiring, or… frustrating.
The same can be said of listening to a preacher.
What makes the difference between inspiration and frustration?
You may think that some people are gifted speakers and others simply do not have this gift.
This is true, but there is something else that contributes to the result.
It is whether the person reaches the listeners personally –
reaches them by speaking of what touches them in their daily lives.
In today’s gospel, we see Jesus returning to “Nazareth where he had been brought up”. (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21)
Going to the synagogue on the sabbath, he is given the scroll and reads a text of Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1-2).
Then, giving back the scroll to the attendant, he sits down and starts preaching.
We are told:
“The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.”
The people listen with anticipation, with a feeling of expectation that what they will hear may be good for them.
Listening to Jesus, their hear him speak of the poor, the prisoners, the blind, the oppressed.
He promises good news, recovery of sight and liberation.
To all, he proclaims “the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Had you been there on that day in Nazareth, would you not have listened intently?
I know that I would not have wanted to miss a word!
Some may say: “Yes but… that was long ago, and those words were not addressed to us.”
True, Jesus is not visibly present to us, and we cannot hear him pronounce what he said on that day.
But this does not mean that “the Lord’s favor” is no longer available to us.
In fact, his favors are plenty and they reach us in our day-to-day living.
The discoveries of science, and the ‘miracles’ – literally so – worked in the field of medicine are among God’s ways of healing us and curing many of our diseases.
And among us, there are people with genuine compassion – meeting them helps us to free ourselves from guilt and negative feelings.
Other people have a true understanding of events and situations – they give us a clearer vision of what is happening around us.
Others still are spiritual guides – their wisdom enables us to find our way when we no longer see the direction our lives should take.
All of them are making God’s presence and help available to us in their own way.
Not all our needs are met and not all our ills are cured…
We know that they will be… one day, and this is why we live in HOPE of that day!
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/3e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/
Source: Image: Quora
2nd Sunday of Year C – 2022
Questions are very much part of our daily conversation – questions of all kinds.
We ask them from friends and neighbors, family members and colleagues.
The scene of today’s gospel gives us an example of such questioning (John 2:1-11).
At Cana, Mary approaches her son to mention the situation that has arisen at the wedding feast they are both attending:
“They have no more wine.”
Jesus answers his mother with a question:
“Woman, why do you involve me?”
Hearing the question, Mary may have remembered another question, one asked by her son long ago.
At that time, Jesus was only twelve years old but he had already voiced such searching words (Luke 2:41-49).
On both occasions, Mary remains silent before Jesus.
But this time she speaks, not to him, but to those who will take part in what her faith dares to ask for:
« Do whatever he tells you », she says.
On her request, it seems that Jesus has anticipated the time – he calls it his hour –
to show something of God’s presence and God’s intervention for people.
Because this is exactly what Jesus does:
he manifests, he makes clear, that God does come to our help in time of need.
And a wedding feast short of wine is as good a place as any for him to show that he cares for people!
But there are also the questions that God, in turn, may ask of us!
God’s questions may reach us in different situations…
- A reading from a book may suddenly awaken something in us…
- An email, or a letter, from a friend may challenge us in an unexpected way…
- A phone call from a relative may remind us of something we had pushed away from our awareness…
- The sight of a generous gesture from a stranger may be an invitation to the best in ourselves…
- A comforting word overheard from a patient in the waiting room of a clinic may inspire us with something we did not expect…
All of these, and many more, can transform themselves into questions – questions from God.
At the beginning of a new year, it may be helpful to hear anew these questions that we may not have dared to listen to until now…
And to remember Mary’s words: « Do whatever he tells you. »
We may be quite surprised at the result!…
Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/
And in a video, also in French, Teresa Penafiel shares her own thoughts on this scene of the wedding at Cana: https://youtu.be/XRKyex5S_uw
Source: Image: LDS Scripture Teaching
33rd Sunday of Year B – 2021
Every week, a new reflection appears here on the texts given to us for the Sunday celebration.
Most times, the text presented refers to one of the three readings assigned for the day.
Today, we will rather look at the Psalm (Ps.16:1,5,8-11) used as a response to the 1st reading.
The words of verse 8 have caught my attention:
“I keep the Lord before me always.”
An amazing statement!
The author of this Psalm affirms that God is present to him at all times.
If it was so for him, why would it not be so for us?
God present to us in all situations,
present in whatever happens,
wherever we find ourselves,
whatever be our condition at the moment.
The Psalmist is convinced that, remaining in God’s presence, he can claim:
“With him at my right hand, nothing can shake me.”
He keeps assured that he will “rest securely’ and that God “will not abandon” him.
He will be blessed with “abounded joy” in God’s presence.
Faith, Hope, Joy: the very ingredients of a life lived in serenity.
A choice offered to us all.
Note: Another reflection. in French, on a theme from the gospel is given at: https://image-i-nations.com/33e-dimanche-de-lannee-b/
And another reflection is available on a different theme also in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/33e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2021/