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16th Sunday of Year C – 2022

15 juillet 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: anxious, being attentive, devotions, Luke 10:38-42, necessary, please God, prayers, troubled, trying

Usually, the followers of Christ want to please God and they make special efforts to live as he wants them to.
In general, Christians try to imitate Jesus as they see him in the gospel and they try to be faithful to what God expects of them.

Prayers, devotions, sacrifices, penance in different forms – all these are part of the means in use.
But often, people ask themselves whether they have chosen what is best…
Are they, in fact, using the right way, the proper ritual, the correct words to address God?

Today’s gospel message (Luke 10:38-42) may come as a relief to many.
We hear Jesus reassuring Martha in these words:

“Few things are needed, indeed only one.”

Amazing, really!
Truly astonishing and… comforting!
But what is this ONE thing?

Described as “the better part”, it is shown in Mary’s attitude: simply being present to God.
Could it be that simple?

We cannot doubt Jesus words: they are direct and clear.
It is not a question of words to say, or things to be done.

It is a question of being – being there with God and for God.
Being attentive to what he tells us,
open to what he asks from us,
ready to receive what he offers us.

And then?… The rest is up to him!
It is worth trying!…
 
Note: A video, in English, presents the scene of this gospel text at: https://youtu.be/mRe14dfXf6c

Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/16e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: Pinterest

6th Sunday of Easter, Year B – 2021

7 mai 2021
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 1 Jn.4:7-10, aware, blessings, conscious, favors, first things God, initiative, Jn.1:16, prayers

Someone faced with many commitments and countless things to do may suddenly exclaim:

“First things first!”

It may be a good way to look at… our relationship with God!
This thought is suggested to us in the 2nd reading of this Sunday (1 Jn.4:7-10):

 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us.” 

And, in the gospel, Jesus reminds us: (Jn.15:9-17):
“You did not choose me, but I chose you.”
 
God has loved us first – he is the one who has gifted us in all manner of things.
He has given us blessings of all kinds.
He has poured his favors into our lives, day after day.

The apostle John tells us:

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (Jn.1:16)

Instead of thinking that we should first turn to God with prayers and offerings,
we should remember that he is the one who first turned to us drawing us to himself!

Remembering this, it is good on this day to say wholeheartedly:

“First things first!”

And… to live accordingly, that is:
to be truly conscious,
to be deeply aware,
to REAL – ize that, when it comes to love, God always takes the initiative!

 

Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/6e-dimanche-de-paques-annee-b-2021/

 

Source: Images: 123RF   Corona SDA Church