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John 6:37

33rd Sunday of Year B – 2024

15 novembre 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Jesus' words, John 14:1, John 16:27, John 6:37, John 6:47, John 8:12, Luke 15:7, Mark 13:23-32, Matthew 11:28

The text of today’s gospel is somehow enigmatic (Mark 13:23-32).
Events to come are described in what is known as apocalyptic language which is mysterious.
It is the kind of language used by some of the prophets of the Old Testament.

Some Scripture scholars mention that this text refers to Jesus’ return and to the end of the world.
Jesus words – in terms not familiar to us – are an answer to the question that the apostles had asked him earlier on:
“Tell us, when will these things happen?” (Verse 4).

We are not to try and figure out how many years and decades will pass as we expect the glorious return of Jesus.
We should rather focus on the heart of his message as it is given to us in this text:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”.

His words… we have heard them, we ponder them…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

“Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

“There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-one virtuous men who have no need of repentance” (Luke 15:7).

“I will never drive away the one who comes to me” (John 6:37).

“The Father himself loves you” (John 16:27).

« I tell you most solemnly: ‘Everybody who believes has eternal life » (John 6:47).

Indeed, these and so many other words of Jesus are a promise, repeated in different ways, which confirm the core of today’s gospel:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”.

This should be enough for us to live from day to day without fear and relying on the one who tells us:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still and trust in me” (John 14:1).

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/33e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/

 

Source: Image: https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/kjv/mark-13-31-kjv.php

20th Sunday of Year A – 2023

18 août 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: acceptance of all, inclusion, Isaiah 56:1, Isaiah 56:6-7, John 6:37, Matthew 15:21-28, no rejection discrimination, Romans 11:13-15, Romans 11:29-32

 

In the world at large, the leaders are encouraged, at times with strong incentive from the citizens, to adopt a policy of inclusion.
They should provide equal access to opportunities and resources to ALL people.
Each and EVERY ONE should benefit from the services of the state.
Nobody should be excluded, or marginalized, for whatever reason.
Those seen as belonging to ‘minority groups’ should be treated as everyone else.

It does not happen often that all the Bible texts of a celebration are based on the same theme.
But it is what we are given on this Sunday.
All the texts speak precisely of this: what people nowadays refer to as inclusion.
It means the acceptance of all people whatever their origin, nation, social group, gender, religion.

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 1st reading (Isaiah 56:1,6-7), through the words of Isaiah, God presents himself as the God of all.
He says clearly:
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

In the 2nd reading (Romans 11:13-15,29-32) Paul, writing to the Romans, speaks of himself as the apostle of the Gentiles, the non-Jews, those usually seen as outcast.

The gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) allows us to meet one such person: a Syrophoenician woman who obtains from Jesus the healing of her daughter.

Even the response to the 1st reading (Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8) asks God that his salvation may reach all nations.
It is obvious that if this is the God we believe in, we should follow HIS way –
HIS way of being, HIS way of accepting people, HIS way of treating everyone.

It was the way Jesus lived and he said it openly:
“All those the Father gives me will come to me,
and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”  (John 6:37)

As his followers, this is meant to be our way as well…
No discrimination, no exclusion, no rejection…
ALL accepted as God’s own!

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/20e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/

 

Source: Images: Catholic.co.il    Wikipedia (Valentin de Boulogne, Museum of Fine Arts)    FreeBibleimages     www.prayersandpetitions