happiness

Baptism of the Lord, Year B – 2021

8 janvier 2021

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: choices, happiness, invitation, Is.55:1-11, Life, listen, offer, question, satisfy, values

Questions are asked of us throughout the day and every day.
Some are about minor things, or small matters, and they require little thinking.
Other questions are about more serious aspects of our lives
and we may need to pause before we give an answer.

Of course, much depends also on… who is asking the question.
What about if it is… GOD who is asking us questions?!
Because he does ask us and these questions reach us personally and intimately.

In the text of the 1^st reading today, God’s question is addressed to us through the prophet Isaiah (Is.55:1-11).
We hear him say:

^”Why spend money… and your labor on what does not satisfy?”

This question may reach us when we did not expect it and yet…
it involves something that touches us closely:
our money, our labor, ultimately, our choices and our values.
In simple words: What do we live for?
From what do we expect to find satisfaction, in fact: where do we look for happiness?

After questioning us, God invites us:
“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.”

At the beginning of a new year, this invitation opens up for us the path to follow –
to listen to the Lord and find the path to LIFE, a life full and meaningful.

Personally, I believe that if this is what God offers, it is the best that can truly SATISFY us.

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/bapteme-du-seigneur-b-2021/

Source: Image: Pinterest

Feast of Mary, Mother of God, Year B – 2021

1 janvier 2021

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: benefits, blessing, happiness, health, Numbers 6:22-27, opportunities, success

During this festive season of Christmas and the New Year, we exchange good wishes, all kinds of them.
Phone calls, Christmas cards, emails, messages on Messenger or Twitter –
all the platforms are good If they serve our purpose:
that of sending to others our wishes for their health, happiness, success, and other good things in plenty.

But do we exchange blessings?
Some of you may be surprised at this question… Blessings?
But… what are they really?

Some would define them as gifts, opportunities, benefits, good luck perhaps…
Others would describe them as an intervention that will bring a sense of well-being, of contentment.
All this is true but…

If we pay attention to the 1^st reading of today’s feast (Numbers 6:22-27),
we should admit that something is missing in the definitions above and that is… God’s touch!

Yes, a blessing is not only some pious wish, or words expressing the desire of good fortune for someone else.
A blessing is a call on God himself to intervene in favor of someone,
in other words: to give as only God can give!

A blessing is a gift from God himself.
The text says that God will be ‘gracious’ to the person blessed in his name,
and the ‘grace’ that God gives is… himself!

This is what he has done in Jesus, the new-born we see in Mary’s arms.

What else could we desire, or ask for, that would satisfy us truly?
This blessing enfolds all others!
And, the amazing thing is that God wants so much to give it to us that… he wants us to ask for it!

God BLESS YOU!

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-marie-mere-de-dieu-annee-b-2020/

Source: Image: ibelieve.com deseret.com

12th Sunday of Year A – 2020

20 juin 2020

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: desires, forgiveness, happiness, hopes, Jér.20:10-13, jigsaw puzzle, love, our selves, St. Philip of Neri, success

In prayer, saints of all times have said all kinds of things to God – at times surprising things!
You wonder…
Think of St. Philip of Neri who, with his usual sense of humour, would tell God:
“Lord, beware of Philip, before the day is over he could have betrayed you!”

At times, what is said to God is very exacting, it is demanding indeed.
It is the case with what the prophet Jeremiah says in the 1^st reading (Jer.20:10-13).
He tells God:

“To you I have committed my cause.”

In other words, he has entrusted to God whatever is of concern to him.
When we think about it, what is most of concern to us if not… ourselves!
Whatever touches us deeply, whatever involves our own selves, this is our ‘cause’.

Our thoughts, from moment to moment.
Our secret desires and most daring hopes.
Our hunger for success and recognition.
Our search for rewarding experiences.
Our eagerness to reach cherished goals.
Our striving for achievement and self-fulfilment.
Our longing for deep and lasting happiness.
Our craving for true love and companionship.
Our constant need of forgiveness…

All this is part of our very selves, it is all included when I pronounce the word ‘I’.

But there is also, we cannot forget or deny it, the more ‘shadowy’ part of us…

Our problems and difficulties.
Our bitter regrets and guilt feelings.
Our painful memories.
Our disappointements and misfortunes.
Our failings and failures.

And for each one of us , the list could go on, and on…
All this is part or who we are, part of what is called our ‘cause’.
Like a jigsaw puzzle with countless pieces that have all to fit together so as to offer a beautiful picture.

Dare we say to God, as Jeremiah did:

“To you I have committed my cause”?

If not, what is the alternative?…
Especially in this period of pandemic when so much is unknown, unsure, unpredictable…

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/12e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2020/

Source: Images: Microsoft istock

Feast of Mary, Mother of God, Year C

31 décembre 2018

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: blessings, grâce, happiness, health, Nb.6:22-27, peace, Ps.67:2-8, saint Irenaeus, wishes

During this festive Season we have been exchanging good wishes of all kinds. We wish one another good health, happiness and peace, and many more good things. We sometimes summarize them in telling people that we want for them God’s blessings.

The first reading of today’s celebration (Nb.6:22-27) is, in fact, an extended blessing. The text tells us that God himself has chosen the words of it, so to speak.

17th Sunday of Year B

29 juillet 2018

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: 2 Kings 4:42-44, generosity, God's way, happiness, healing, John 6:1-15, prayer, sharing, strength, success, working with God

Let us say that you go to borrow from your neighbour some cooking oil to cook a dish. Does it happen often that instead of giving you the small amount you ask for, the neighbour gives you a much larger quantity? Or, if a man goes to a colleague to borrow some special glue to repair something, does he expect to be given an extra tube on top of the one already started? This is rare among us people. We hope for help but not often do we meet with outstanding generosity.

I said it is like this “among us people”, but with God things are different. Today the 1^st reading and the gospel are similar in giving us a good example of how generous God is with us. Through Elisha God says: “They will eat and have some left over.” And the same thing happened at the time of Jesus. We see Jesus concerned about people having nothing to eat.

He asks one of the apostles where to buy bread but he is testing Philip who replies: “Five loaves and two fishes, what is that between so many?” Jesus took them, said the blessing and “gave them out to all who were sitting ready, giving out as much as was wanted.” With this huge crowd, we would think it enough if each got a piece of bread. But God’s way is the generous way. They all ate as much as they wanted!

Look at God’s generosity in nature: we sow a few seeds and get bags of cereals. Look at the fruit trees heavily-laden with juicy and sweet fruits. God does not know how to count! God does not know how to measure. Or rather, he counts and he measures according to his love which is without measure. God gives and gives, always beyond our hopes and above our expectations. He gives us more health, more healing, more strength and more help. He blesses us with more joy and happiness, more success and good fortune. He grants us more peace and more security. All those good things we long for, he gives them “as much as is wanted.”

As you read this, you may have doubts thinking of the prayers you made in the past and you say: ‘I asked God for that and he did not give me more of it, in fact he did not give it to me at all!’ This is possible, God does not give us always what we ask for. But have you found out what other gift – perhaps much greater – he gave you instead? A gift more precious than you could have dared to ask for. Think about it…

We heard in the gospel: “Jesus knew exactly what he was going to do.”He could have worked the miracle without asking for anything but he wanted to use the loaves and fishes from the small boy. God wants us to do our share, he wants us to work with him. At times, we ask God for this and that but we, ourselves, do nothing to make our desires come about. He is still ready to work miracles but he wants our efforts at pleasing him and turning to him in prayer. He needs that little something that comes from us.

Source: Image: Free Bible Images

International Day of Happiness – 20 March

20 mars 2018

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: development, elimination of poverty, happiness, human goal, policies, UN, well-being

What is the International Day of Happiness? It’s a day to be happy, of course! Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.

In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness. Last year, the Smurfs rallied behind the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the International Day of Happiness.

The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

Source: Text & Image : UN

The day recognizes that happiness is a fundamental human goal, and calls upon countries to approach public policies in ways that improve the well-being of all peoples.

By designating a special day for happiness, the UN aims to focus world attention on the idea that economic growth must be inclusive, equitable, and balanced, such that it promotes sustainable development, and alleviates poverty. Additionally the UN acknowledges that in order to attain global happiness, economic development must be accompanied by social and environmental well-being.

Source: Text: timeanddate.com Image: UN

13th Sunday of the Year, A

29 juin 2017

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: abundance, commitments, Concern, everlasting, first, happiness, Jn.10:10, let go, Life, Mt.16:37-42, priorities, promise, success, time

“FIRST THINGS FIRST”!
We hear these words from time to time.
They usually come from someone who has a lot to do already and to whom someone may ask to do something more…
The person may feel that too many tasks demand his attention, too many commitments claim her time and energy.
There is the obvious need to set priorities and, yes, to decide what should come first!

I would say that this Sunday (13^th, Year A) is the day for doing exactly that: set priorities!
In fact, it is Jesus himself who asks us to do so and in no uncertain terms! (gospel: Mt.16:37-42).

His message is demanding, exacting, challenging!
We are to… stretch ourselves beyond the here and now.
We must extend our concern from the present to the ever-present = the everlasting!

We want life to be brimming with happiness and success and we are asked to… let go of it.
Let go of what we are trying to reach – at times, desperately so – to receive a life “in abundance” (Jn.10:10) promised to us.

It is a promise… Some may be tempted to say: ‘Only a promise…’
Yes, but from the one who never fails to make them come true!

Source : Images : Adobe, Pinterest

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Year A

15 juin 2017

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: Body and Blood of Christ, communion, desert, dream of, Dt.8:2-3, enduring, flesh, food, happiness, hunger, imagine, Jn.6:56, live, more, satisfying, unknown, wilderness

Hungering for more…

Walking across the desert…
Food given as yet unknown…
Life beyond the present…
A body more than the flesh…

Hungering for more…

Something else, something more –
So much deeper, more satisfying, more enduring…

“The Lord led you in the wilderness to test you and know your inmost heart…
to test you and so make your future the happier.” (Dt.8:2-3,14-16)

This is what today’s feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord evokes…
The bread – the Body – is meant for a com-union = a union with Him who wants our happiness –
something beyond all we could imagine or dream of.

“He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me and I live in him.” (Jn.6:56)

THIS is… the MORE!…

Source: Images: shutterstock.com, renewaljournal.wordpress.com

Global Wellness Day – 10 June

11 juin 2017

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: dream, freedom, habits, happiness, health, Life, motivation, peace, spiritual, success, values, wellness

What is GWD?
All of us would like be healthier, to look better, and to live well both physically and spiritually.
Living well is almost the entire world’s shared dream.

As everything that is precious to us has been honored with a special day, why is it that we don’t have a special global day dedicated to the only thing which is really valuable to all of us, that is, living well? We can now answer this question by saying “it now exists”. This special day is called Global Wellness Day.

With the slogan “One day can change your whole life,” we celebrate Global Wellness Day on the second Saturday of June every year as an international day dedicated to living well.

Global Wellness Day is an entirely not-for-profit day, a social project created by volunteers dedicated to living well. The purpose of Global Wellness Day is to ask the question, even if for just one day, “How can I live a healthier and better life?”, to direct the thoughts of both individuals and society towards “living well” and to raise awareness.

The main aims of the day are:

To recognize the value of our lives
To pause and think, even if for just one day of the year
To be free from the stress of everyday city life and bad habits
To make peace with ourselves
To raise awareness about living well and increase motivation, not just for today, but for the remaining 364 days of the year

First celebrated in 2012, Global Wellness Day was established in Turkey as the “first” day dedicated to living well, and has now been accepted worldwide. Global Wellness Day has been officially celebrated in over 90 countries at 3000 different locations in 2016, reflecting its success.

Source: Text: Global Wellness Day Image: objectifvdi.com 2è Image: LinkedIn

5th Sunday of Lent, Year A

30 mars 2017

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: believe, body, dead, experiences, Ez.37:12-14, Ezechiel, graves, happiness, Jan.11:1-45, live for ever, longing, need, Rom.8:8-11

The publicity is well known that says: “A diamond is for ever.”
What is precious is the diamond, yes, but also the ‘FOR EVER’ aspect.
It answers our deep longing for something that will last, something that will endure.

The good and enjoyable experiences that we make, we would want them to last… for ever!
The fleeting moments of happiness are not enough for us.
The joyful moments of reunion are too soon ended, we would want them to go on and on.
And a deeply satisfying relationship, we would not want it to end, it should be… for ever!

In today’s gospel (5^th Sunday of Lent, Year A – Jn.11:1-45) Jesus addresses this ‘for ever’ need.
Speaking with Martha who mourns the death of her brother, he opens up the perspective of life for ever –
a life that goes on beyond the grave.

He says: “If anyone believes in me,
even though he dies, he will live.”

The baby born with a rare disease without cure and whose life is ended in infancy.
The child suddenly killed in an accident.
The young person half conscious struggling between life and death.
The father or mother yesterday full of life and now… mysteriously close to death.
The elderly person, not yet ready to let go of the remaining life within a frail body.

For all of them, Jesus’ words are the answer to their deepest need: to live, yes, TO LIVE FOR EVER.

In the first reading, speaking in God’s name, the prophet Ezechiel (Ez.37:12-14) says:
“I mean to raise you from your graves, my people.”

And in the second reading, Paul writing to the first Christians of Rome tells them (Rom.8:8-11):
“He who raised Jesus from the dead
will give life to your own mortal body.”

One can accept a diamond or… refuse it…
One can believe these words… or ignore them…

One may also like to see the video at: http://image-i-nations.com/martha-of-bethany/

Recherche

image-i-nations trésor

Baptism of the Lord, Year B – 2021

Source: Image: Pinterest

Feast of Mary, Mother of God, Year B – 2021

Source: Image: ibelieve.com deseret.com

12th Sunday of Year A – 2020

Source: Images: Microsoft istock

Feast of Mary, Mother of God, Year C

International Day of Happiness – 20 March

Source: Text & Image : UN

Source: Text: timeanddate.com Image: UN

13th Sunday of the Year, A

Source : Images : Adobe, Pinterest

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Year A

Source: Images: shutterstock.com, renewaljournal.wordpress.com

Global Wellness Day – 10 June

Source: Text: Global Wellness Day Image: objectifvdi.com 2è Image: LinkedIn

5th Sunday of Lent, Year A

Source: Images: PNG images; catholicpreaching.com