image-i-nations trésor

7th Sunday of Year C

If you were to ask me what I find most difficult, near… impossible, in living as a Christian,
my answer would come without hesitation: to forgive our enemies.
Our enemies or… those we believe are such!

It is already difficult, sometimes very difficult, to forgive our friends!
And we are asked to forgive those who are against us,
those who intend to hurt us or have done so already.

The 1st reading of this Sunday (1 Sam.26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23) shows us  
someone who has done this in an amazing way.
We meet David who is fleeing before King Saul who wants to kill him.
David is given a unique opportunity to destroy the man who wants him dead.
One of his companions intends to do exactly this but David refuses.

He spares his enemy, not out of fear, but he is convinced that he should not touch
« the one who has been anointed by the Lord.”

This takes place many centuries before Jesus coming into our world
and telling us to love our enemies.
Near to impossible for us? Yes, at times really.
But, precisely, we are not asked to do it on our own.
In fact, only God’s help can enable us to do this.
But his help is always offered…

There is an inspiring story about Nelson Mandela who, coming out of prison, was asked:
“How can you forgive those who have treated you so badly for so many years?”
Mandela replied: “If I did not forget, I would still be a prisoner.”

Note: A short video is offered on this theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/ca-ca-minterpelle-8e-episode/

Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/7e-dimanche-de-lannee-c/

Source: Images: keyway.ca  JesusWalk   abcnews.go.com

 

 

International Day Nelson Mandela – 18 July

mandelalogo« Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary compassion after 27 years in prison showed that human rights and equality are stronger than discrimination and hate. » – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Can you spare 67 minutes of your time helping others?

Every year, on Mandela Day, people around the world are asked by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to do just that.

By devoting 67 minutes of their time – one minute for every year of Mr. Mandela’s public service – people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step towards a global movement for good.

Source: Text & Image: UN

Journée internationale Nelson Mandela – 18 juillet

mandela-dayElle est plus connue sous son nom anglais, Mandela day, et existe depuis 2010. En novembre 2009, l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies a déclaré que le 18 juillet serait une « Journée internationale Nelson Mandela » en l’honneur du travail effectué par l’ancien président sud-africain en faveur de la paix et de la liberté.

67 minutes…
Le 18 juillet de chaque année, jour de la naissance de Nelson Mandela, l’ONU se joint à la Fondation Nelson Mandela pour exhorter le monde à consacrer 67 minutes de son temps à aider les autres, afin de commémorer la Journée internationale qui lui est consacrée. 67 minutes de son temps à passer pour servir les autres et le bien public, en souvenir des 67 années de militantisme du vieux leader Sud Africain, aujourd’hui décédé.

Célebration post-mortem ?
De nombreux internautes se sont étonnés de trouver encore cette journée dans le site… bien que le vieux sage se soit aujourd’hui éteint, les Nations Unies la maintiennent effectivement toujours dans leur calendrier. Le monde aime les anniversaires et les célébrations, laissons aujourd’hui le monde célébrer l’Afrique !

Source: Texte & Image: Journée Mondiale