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25th Sunday of Year B – 2024

20 septembre 2024
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: building the world, God's help, impossible dream, James 3-16 – 4:3, peace-loving, reality, righteousness, sincerity

If we could only dream for a while…
Just imagine…

A world where there is no envy or selfish ambition…
A world where no disorder or evil practice are to be found …
A world where wisdom inspires every thought…

In that world everyone is compassionate to all…
Impartiality and sincerity reign…
People are truly peace-loving…
And righteousness is ever present…

Some readers will soon interrupt and exclaim: IMPOSSIBLE!
This can only be… a dream!

Perhaps but… it could become reality, if only…
If only we were ready to work at building such a world…
If only we were willing to make this dream come true!

In fact, it is the way of life to which the apostle James is calling the first Christians.
We find his message in today’s 2nd reading (James 3-16 – 4:3).

Of course, it means overcoming our selfishness and thinking of others.
It calls for treating everyone as we like to be treated ourselves.
It involves freeing oneself from the inclination of focusing only of what is pleasing to us…

The apostle James warns that disorder and evil practices come from envy and selfishness.
Quarrels and fights follow, of course.
This is hardly an enjoyable perspective…

So, it may be worthwhile to dream… and to try to follow the way that offers a more promising life…
The impossible dream? Not with God’s help!

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/25e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/

 

Source: Image: https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/web/james-3-16-web.php

3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A – 2023

21 avril 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 'God-with-us', believe, bewildered, confused, downcast, hope, Luke 24:13-35, reality, recognize

 

Reading the gospel, sometimes a sentence, even a single word, can keep us… there –
at the thought, or the scene, or… more still, at the situation described.
We may not be fully aware of the reason, but we are drawn to remain… just there.
We feel the need to see more, understand more deeply, realize…

Yes, realize that what is described, in a given text, is very close to our own experience.
This could be said of what today’s gospel says of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35):

“Something prevented them from recognizing him.”

Of course, we wonder… what is this something?
Why is it that, while Jesus is walking with them, the two men fail to recognize him?

The two disciples see, but they do not perceive…
Their minds are puzzled, they fail to understand…
Their hearts grieve, they are unaware of the reality…

Pursuing our reflection, we may look… inwards… and ask ourselves:
What is it that prevents US from recognizing the Lord walking with us – for he does!

We are often confused by what happens to us.
We are bewildered by the situations we find ourselves in.
We grieve, we lament, we are sad and downcast.

And… we do not dare to hope, we do not dare to BELIEVE, so we fail to see…
We do not recognize ‘God-with-us’ – the very name given to Jesus: ‘Emmanuel’ – walking with us.

Until… Until when?…
Until God becomes really real for us!

 

Note: In the following video, Anil Das Kumar and Dominic Savio Rassalayyan, who personify the disciples of Emmaus, tell us what happened on that night as they were on the way: https://youtu.be/4QwKU442-80

Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/3e-dimanche-de-paques-annee-a-2023/

 

Source: Image: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/

 

 

International Artist Day – October 25

25 octobre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: artists, beauty, culture, paintings, photography, reality, Sculpture

We celebrate International Artist Day on October 25. Art as a creative human expression encapsulates myriad things. It portrays the beauty of life or a bitter reality. It records history, revolutions, rebellions, and sometimes is a means to escape them. In short, there is no history or culture without art. This day celebrates all forms of art — paintings, sculpture, photography, architecture, music, and more. Through this celebration we show our respect for the passion and creativity in all artists. As art provide you with a medium of speech let us also see the work of those artists who study, research and criticize artists to showcase their art of words, here is a list of top art journalist.

HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL ARTIST DAY

In the summer of 1961 President Kennedy made an effort to settle a salary dispute between the Metropolitan Opera and the American Federation of Musicians. He succeeded. Kennedy’s actions signaled his passion for the arts. Congress, in the mid 60s, designated the National Cultural Center, launched in 1958, as a “living memorial” to President Kennedy and authorized $23 million to begin construction. It’s now simply known as the Kennedy Center.

The following year President Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts & the Humanities Act, which created the National Endowment for the Arts. 

By 1970 focus on the arts increasingly spread to television and cinema. Mobil Oil committed more than $1 million to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for presentation of Masterpiece Theatre on PBS — and for 5 million copies of new Sesame Street magazine to be given free to preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. This was the largest gift to CPB from the business community to date.

A decade later President Reagan, himself a former actor appointed a Presidential Task Force on the Arts & Humanities to review the purposes of the National Endowments; broaden private support; engage more non-government professionals, private groups & individuals; & recommend ways to strengthen the overall structure of both agencies.

Still another president would show his support as well. Bill Clinton, in his 1997 State of the Union Address, asked Congress to maintain support for the arts — and urged citizens to make the year 2000 a national celebration “so that we can remain the world’s beacon not only of liberty but of creativity, long after the fireworks have faded.”

Recently the Museum of Modern Art in New York City reopened after a $400 million renovation — adding over 40,000 square feet for galleries (including two at the street-level)— inside the new West 53rd St. tower. They are free to the public.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaltoday.com/international-artist-day/

 

Palm Sunday, Year B – 2021

26 mars 2021
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: event, Jérusalem, Luke 19:40, Mark 11:1-10, message, Palm Sunday, reality

At the mention of Palm Sunday, the scene immediately comes to mind (Mark 11:1-10).
The scene, and the actors as well.

  • Two disciples are sent by Jesus to bring him “a colt tied, on which no one has sat”.
  • Some people observing the disciples’ intervention object but finally accept.
  • Many people spread clothes on the road, they wave branches in welcome.
  • They acclaim Jesus as the one who “comes in the name of the Lord”.
  • The Pharisees protest at this glorious welcome (Luke 19:40).
  • Jesus tells them: “If they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”

An event that took place some 2000 years ago.
A scene of the distant past.
And yet…
A reality ever present.
A message ever meaningful.
A coming ever happening…

WE could be in our world today…
Those who are sent by Jesus…
Those who object or protest…
Those who welcome and acclaim…

On this Palm Sunday, I ask myself: ‘Where do I stand?’
 

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

 

 

Source: Image: Meridian Magazine

Feast of Pentecost, Year A – 2020

29 mai 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 21st century, Acts 2:1-11, God's Spirit, marveling, perception, reality, survey, vision

Nowadays, public surveys are popular.
People want to be informed about popular opinions about this, or that, topic.
An unusual event, especially, will prompt reporters to analyze and publish detailed information about such happening.

The first reading of today’s feast (Acts 2:1-11) is interesting in that respect –
it is a little as if we were given a report about precisely an unusual event.
We are told in much detail about what has been happening.
 
“A sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven;
what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of the apostles;
they began to speak in other tongues.”

“A crowd came together in bewilderment…”
The listeners listening represented no less than 15 nations!

Not surprisingly, the text says:
 “They were utterly amazed.”
Another translation of the text adds that people were marveling at what they saw happening.
And now, fast forward to… our own 21st century…
And… three questions come to my mind:

Are we still bewildered by God’s coming to our world?
Are we amazed at what he does in our own situation?
And… do we still marvel at the wonders he works in our days?

I am personally convinced that

  • God is still present.
  • God still works among us.
  • God still realizes wonderful things for us.

Perhaps it is a question of asking God’s Spirit to give us the perception, the vision of this permanent REALITY.

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-la-pentecote-annee-a-2020/

 

 Source: Image: Aleteia

 

Feast of the Holy Trinity, Year C – 2019  

14 juin 2019
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: God Father, grâce, Holy Spirit, meaning, mystery, reality, Révélation, Rom.5:1-5, understanding

Some people ask themselves questions about God.
In fact, many people would want to know more about him –
know more, more clearly, more deeply.
But could it be that they miss some important revelation about him?

Revelation: showing clearly, removing what is covering something, making known.
Yes, God has been revealed to us but… he remains GOD –
we will never have achieved knowing him fully…

In the 2nd reading of today’s feast – that of the Holy Trinity –
writing to the first Christians of Rome (Rom.5:1-5), saint Paul tells them:

“Through Jesus we have entered this state of grace…
The love of God (the Father) has been poured into our hearts
by the holy Spirit which has been given to us.”
 
It is as if Paul, in a nutshell, is giving us – as well as the Roman Christians of long ago –
the meaning of today’s feast.

We are “In a state of grace”, in other words: we are blessed, we are privileged, ‘graced’ by God.
Thanks to Jesus who made it known to us, we can be assured that God is our Father –
a Father who loves us more than we will ever understand.
This certainty is given to us by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God himself.

Some theological texts will speak of ‘the mystery of the Holy Trinity’.
Sad to say, some people conclude: a mystery is something we cannot understand
so we cannot understand the Holy Trinity!

A more accurate definition of a mystery is that it is something we have never finished understanding…
And what if… this ‘mysterious’ REALITY were the meaning of our daily life?
Yes, even in its seemingly most insignificant details!…

Note: Another reflection is available on a similar theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-la-sainte-trinite-annee-c-2019/

 

Source: Image: etsy.com

 

 

World AIDS Day – 1st December

1 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, discrimination, education, facts, health, HIV, money, pandemic, prejudice, reality

What is World AIDS Day?
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

 Why is World AIDS Day important?
Around 100,000 are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 34 million people have HIV. More than 35 million people have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.                                                    

Source: Text & Image: Awareness Days UK

Feast of the Holy Trinity, Year A

8 juin 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Advocate, Bible, compassion, Ex.34:8-9, exegetes, faith, faithfulness, Father, Father-Son-Spirit, fourth century, God, John ch.14-17, kindness, New Testament, reality, Révélation, Saviour, Scripture scholars, tenderness, theologians, Trinity

If you mention the word ‘TRINITY’ to a group of theologians, or to some Scripture scholars, they will probably give you some lengthy explanations.
Exegetes, theology professors, spiritual authors will probably do the same.
Definitions and explanations, are their domain.
Expounding on concepts and themes is very much part of their expertise. 

Strangely enough, if you look for the word ‘TRINITY’ in the Bible, you will NOT find it!
You may think that it is amazing but it is true.
This word came to be used in the Christian language only late in the fourth century.
It was at that time that this term was used to express the faith of Christian believers.

But, you will find, yes, you will discover in the New Testament, the expression of this REALITY of a God who is one and who manifests Itself (this pronoun is not masculine or feminine) in three Persons.

It is in the chapters 14 to 17 of the gospel of John that we can perceive this most clearly.
There, we hear Jesus repeatedly speaking of the FATHER and of the SPIRIT as being one and himself being one with them.

The first reading of this feast of the Holy Trinity (Ex.34:4-6,8-9) tells us that God is “a God of tenderness and compassion, rich in kindness and faithfulness.”
So, what we celebrate on Trinity Sunday is this tenderness and compassion reaching us in a fatherly way, in the brotherly way of a Saviour, in the way of One who is our Advocate – for this is what they are to us and for us: the Father, the Son and the Spirit.

What more could be said?

Source: Image: Pinterest

33rd Sunday of the Year, C

10 novembre 2016
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: "Sun of righteousness", God's compassion, God's forgiveness, God's love, God's mercy, healing, Malachi 3:19-20, November, reality

November is there – the days are shorter and the clouds are often masters of the sky. It seems that the days are dark, dull and dreary and… somehow dispiriting.

But let the sun suddenly shine through the clouds and everything is changed: the colours take on richer hues – the reds are blood patches, the yellows are golden touches, the browns are rich copper blotches.

All this because the rays of the sun have pierced through the darkness.

This is the reflection that came to me as I read the 1st reading of this 33rd Sunday (Year C: Malachi 3:19-20). The last words tell us: shutterstock“The sun of righteousness will shine with healing in its rays.”

A message of hope if ever there was one! And it is truly needed as we read the gospel text for this Sunday (Lk.21:5-19). The scenes described there resemble our November weather: dark and dreary and they evoke pictures of death. Troubles, terror, tragedy – yes , all these are part of life, the sad and painful part of it. But it is not the whole picture. It is not the full reality. Healing is possible, healing is available, there, so near, from the one who offers it to us by his very presence.

The “sun of righteousness” is God’s love and mercy, God’s compassion and forgiveness. It is offered to us to heal in us all that is weak and disable, all that lacks faithfulness, all that prevents us from being what God expects us to be and to become. All…  

Source: Image: Shutterstock