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24th Sunday of Year B – 2024

13 septembre 2024
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: décision, God's presence, listening, Psalm 116:1-6.8-9, relying on the Lord, surrender, trusting the Lord

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

31st Sunday of Year B

2 novembre 2018
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: commandments, décibels, Dt.6:2-6, God's voice, listening, silence

When the word ‘commandment’ is mentioned Christian people spontaneously think of the 10 commandments.
They are part of our Christian heritage and model – or should model – our day to day living.
Of course, we have inherited them from our Jewish ancestors for whom they were the basis of their Covenant with God.

But for them, there was another commandment, just as exacting, strictly as binding.
They were repeating the text daily – the very text which we find in the 1st reading of this Sunday
(31st Sunday of Year B – Dt.6:2-6).
That commandment was expressed in a single word: LISTEN !
 
In our modern world, listening has multiple ‘over-tones’, could we say.
Taking into oneself sounds and voices, shouts and cries, rap or more traditional music –
all this is part of the listening activity.
What about listening to… silence?!
Some year ago, famous lyrics invited us to do so…

And are we ‘at-tuned’ to God’s voice?
Can we even use this expression of a God-Spirit whose voice is not encompassed in decibels?
The biblical message is repeated to us again and again:

“Listen…
Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart…”
 
So, God’s words are meant to reach more than our ears but especially our hearts.
And what is the message our heart is meant to “keep and observe”?
“You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength.”
 
“Listen, keep and observe” – today’s message, message for every day…

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at:  https://image-i-nations.com/31e-dimanche-de-lannee-b/

Source: Image: RF123.com
 

5th Sunday of the Year, A

2 février 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: comforting, Is.58:7-10, listening, relief, Temptation, the homeless, the hungry, the Lord, the oppressed, the poor, understanding

Have you ever said to yourself: ‘If only I knew what God expects from me!’
The 1st reading of this Sunday (5th of Year A – Is.58:7-10) answers this desire.

The very first line says :
“It is the Lord who speaks…”
The prophet Isaiah, God’s messenger, reveals to us what God wants from us:

“Share your bread with the hungry,
and shelter the homeless poor,
clothe the man you see to be naked,
and give relief to the oppressed.”

It is clear and simple, but very demanding indeed!
Not to try and escape, not to do as if I had not seen, not to pretend I have not noticed.

The temptation is always there: to mind my own business, not to meddle with what concerns other people.

And if ‘what concerns other people’ – their needs, their situation of want, their lack of this or that – should become ‘my own business’!…
This is exactly what these words of the Lord demand of me.

We are inclined to protest: “There are so many people in need, they are always there… “
Their presence annoys us sometimes, their persistence irritates us.

‘We can’t help everybody!’ – ‘No, for sure…’
‘Impossible to come to the aid of everyone!’ – ‘Obviously!… But perhaps… one at a time…’

And beyond the material assistance, there is the understanding look, the attentive listening, the comforting reply…

And the word of the Lord asking that we do something,
this demanding word which exacts what we hesitate to give,
this word bears a promise:

“Cry, and the Lord will answer;
call, and he will say : ‘I am here’!”

Source: Images: colourbox; Daily Mail