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2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C – 2021

It happens to most of us: we sometimes feel we have too much to do, too many things to see to.
The commitments we have taken on are just too many.
The people relying on us for help, or advice, are too many, and their demand on our time is more than we can afford to give.
We may sit down one night and say: « I can’t go on like this, I must make some choices, take some decisions.”

We see it: in such a situation, what is needed is to set some priorities.
What is the most important, to what should I first give my attention, my time, my energy?
In fact, what we need to do is… to discern.

This is exactly what the apostle Paul tells the Philippians to do.
In the 2nd reading of this Sunday, we hear his words (Ph.1:4-6,8-11):

“This is my prayer: (…) that you may be able to discern what is best.”
 
In this period of Advent, this may be what we, too, are called to do: see what is best.
Find out what is really important in life, what we should invest ourselves in.

  • Which are the commitments we can take on at the moment?
  • What are the causes that are worth giving our time and efforts to?
  • Who are the people really in need of assistance?
  • What are the values that should prompt us to act, or withdraw?

And… would God approve of my selection?
Is he the one inspiring me to move in this or that direction?

Discerning what is best… is all about that, and Advent is a good period to reflect on this.

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-c-2021/

And in a short video, also in French, Ghislaine Deslières offers us another reflection on this 2nd Sunday of Advent at: https://youtu.be/jN7uIU0V9-E

 

Source: Images: Dreamstime.com

33rd Sunday of Year B – 2021

Every week, a new reflection appears here on the texts given to us for the Sunday celebration.
Most times, the text presented refers to one of the three readings assigned for the day.
Today, we will rather look at the Psalm (Ps.16:1,5,8-11) used as a response to the 1st reading.

The words of verse 8 have caught my attention:
“I keep the Lord before me always.”

An amazing statement!
The author of this Psalm affirms that God is present to him at all times.
If it was so for him, why would it not be so for us?

God present to us in all situations,
present in whatever happens,
wherever we find ourselves,
whatever be our condition at the moment.

The Psalmist is convinced that, remaining in God’s presence, he can claim:
“With him at my right hand, nothing can shake me.”

He keeps assured that he will “rest securely’ and that God “will not abandon” him.
He will be blessed with “abounded joy” in God’s presence.

Faith, Hope, Joy: the very ingredients of a life lived in serenity.
A choice offered to us all.

Note: Another reflection. in French, on a theme from the gospel is given at: https://image-i-nations.com/33e-dimanche-de-lannee-b/

And another reflection is available on a different theme also in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/33e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2021/

 

Source: Image: Online Bible – Knowing Jesus

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C

Daily life imposes on us a fair share of difficult things to do –

  • tasks to take care of
  • chores to be done
  • appointments to remember
  • commitments to honour…

Some pleasant perhaps, others much less so.
We feel obliged, day in, day out, to make efforts, to overcome our inclination to take things a little easy.
We may have the impression that we must constantly… stretch ourselves!

So, it comes as good news indeed when someone offers to take his/her share of the burden.
God himself is ready to do so!
This is exactly what is offered to us on this Sunday (2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C – Ph.1:4-6,8-11).
In the second reading, we hear Paul assuring the Philippians of this:

“I am quite certain that the one who began this good work in you
will see that it is finished.”

The good work is the one mentioned in last Sunday’s text of Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Th.3:12 – 4:2):
living a life pleasing to God, aiming at being holy.
Surely not a life-style that is easy to make our own!
But we are not asked, or expected, to do this by ourselves – we forget this so easily!
It is GOD’S WORK IN US.

In the chapter following the one of today’s reading, Paul will repeat to the first Christians:
“It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”    (Ph.2:13)
It cannot be clearer: why are we so reluctant to believe it and… rely on it?!

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-c/

 
Source: Image:  Pinterest