image-i-nations trésor

20th Sunday of Year C – 2019

“Lost in translation” – this is the expression used to say that a word, or idea, has not been rendered in a satisfactory manner.
When a text does not reflect the original meaning of a script, people say that the original or the ‘real’ meaning has been lost in translation’!

Some might argue that this applies to the first verse of the Psalm in today’s celebration.
It reads: “I waited patiently for the Lord” (Ps.40:1) (NIV: New International Version).

The Jerusalem Bible translation says:
“I waited and waited for the Lord.”

While the first translation stresses the patience involved in waiting,
the second one, with its repetition, describes an ongoing attitude.

Translated literally, the Latin text says:
“Waiting, I have been waiting for the Lord…”
 
Less elegant an expression, perhaps, but strong and really meaningful –
as if there were no place for any other activity but that of… WAITING for the Lord. 

This is not the place to quibble over the matter.
It is better and more encouraging to note the outcome of such a persevering wait:

“At last, the Lord has stooped to me and heard my cry for help.
He has pulled me out… and steadied my steps…
He has put in my mouth a song of praise to our God” (Ps.40:2-3).
 
It is indeed worthwhile to wait, is it not?…
 
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/20e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2019/
 

Source: Image: Pexels

4th Sunday of Easter, Year B

The gospel of this Sunday (4th Sunday of Easter, Year B – Jn.10:11-18) is well known with its text on the Good Shepherd.
The words of Jesus are familiar and the picture they suggest to our minds is one similar to the picture here – a man concerned about his sheep and caring for his flock.

The example may not speak to our daily life in modern cities far away from a village in Palestine of old.
However, a book published by a well-known author expresses very well in a modern metaphor what the message of Jesus is about.
I speak of the book The Shepherd of Frederick Forsyth – not intended for spiritual reading but with rich spiritual overtones that can inspire us!

It is the story of a pilot going home for Christmas and, suddenly, his aircraft suffers a complete electrical failure en route. Lost in fog and with little fuel left, he fears the worse. Literally out of the blue and absolutely unexpected. he is met and led (or shepherded) by another pilot who has apparently been sent up to guide him and bring him to land safely.

You will say it is a clever plot from a no less clever author, and you are right.
But, strange to say – and is it really strange? – our own life can provide us with no less wonderful experiences.
We, too, can feel lost in the occasional fog of daily living and our energy may be low, depleted by the struggle to cope day after day…

To me, today’s gospel presents us someone, yes Someone, who is aware and who cares – aware of

  • who we are,
  • what we are faced with,
  • what we need.

Aware, indeed he is, and he cares – he cares enough to provide for our needs
and more abundantly than we could ever dream of!

A fairy tale? No!
An fascinating thriller? Not at all!
The on-going experience of someone (it can be you and me) who dares to believe, to trust,
and to say with the Psalmist:

“I am wandering like a lost sheep;
come and look for your servant..   (Ps.119:176)
 
Note: Another reflection is available in French on a different theme at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-de-paques-annee-b/

Source: Images: catholicteacherresources.com  pinterest.com
Book illustration: Wikipedia