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1st Sunday of Lent, Year B – 2024

17 février 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: commitment, covenant, Genesis 9:8-15, help, needs, promise, protection, rainbow, relationships

Among us, human beings, relationships are of many kinds – family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc.
Somehow, we find it normal that there be special ties between ourselves and other people who are part of our lives.

The amazing thing is that… God feels the same!
From all times, God has wanted to establish a special relationship with human beings.
This is what the 1st reading of today’s celebration is about (Genesis 9:8-15).

This text reveals to us that God wants us to be united to him in a special way.
He has called human being to enter a covenant with him.

Throughout history, people have made covenants:
kings, emperors, monarchs, have concluded specific agreements with one another.
These alliances were promises of mutual help, exchange of goods, respect of borders, support against common enemies, etc.

God has done something similar with us, and for us.
He has made a promise of giving us his special help and ongoing protection.

“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him:
“I now establish my covenant with you. 
and with your descendants after you, 
and with every living creature on earth…
I establish my covenant with you”.

And, as if God was aware that we need signs, he gave us a clear sign of his commitment: the rainbow.
He, himself, said:

“This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you,
and every living creature with you,
 a covenant for all generations to come:
I have set my rainbow in the clouds,
and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth”. 

We know with certainty that God cannot fail to fulfil his promise.
We can rest assured that we SHALL receive – at all times and in all situations – his protection and assistance,
whatever our needs may be.

Can HE rest assured that we will also be faithful to the covenant we have accepted to have with him?
Next time we see a rainbow in the sky, we could ask ourselves again?…
And, of course, thank him for his faithfulness!

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-du-careme-annee-b-2024/

 

Source: Image: pexels.com (James Wheeler)

 

World Day of the Sick – 11 February 2024

11 février 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: accompaniment, care for sick, comforting, compassion, healing, prayer, relationships

Earlier this year, the Vatican published Pope Francis’ message for the 32nd World Day of the Sick, celebrated each year on February 11. The Holy Father’s message for this year is entitled: “It is not good that man should be alone” – Caring for the sick by caring for relationships. Echoing the Holy Father’s message, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) renews its commitment to prayer and accompaniment of the sick. Pope Francis reminds us of the fundamental importance of human relationships in the process of healing and comforting the sick.

The Holy Father refers to the biblical passage from the Book of Genesis, emphasizing that God created man by endowing him with vital relationships, and that loneliness, the result of sin, can lead to suffering and isolation. Pope Francis’ message urges us to care for relationships with compassion and tenderness, while recalling the example of the Good Samaritan who approached his neighbor with deep compassion. The Holy Father also stresses that the sick, the fragile and the poor must be at the heart of the Church and at the center of our pastoral concerns.

The World Day of the Sick offers us another opportunity to pray for all those who suffer, and to reflect on our commitment to them.

 

Source: Text: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/pope-francis-message-for-the-32nd-world-day-of-the-sick-february-11-2024/    Image: Vatican News

22nd Sunday of Year A – 2023

1 septembre 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: "real' world, believers, blessings, choice, friends, God's invitation, Matthieu 21:12-13, prophet, relationships

 

Our lives are woven with all kinds of relationships:
family, relatives, friends, neighbours, colleagues.
There are also the specialists we are referred to, or the technicians who fix things for us.

Our relationship with each one of them can be very different.
Some neighbours may become friends, but we may not develop a friendship with certain colleagues.
Some relatives may remain quite distant, while the specialist who treated us has become a close friend.

At a certain moment in time, a choice has been made.
A decision has been taken to accept this, or that person, in our life in a closer way.

Have you ever thought that the same is true about… God!
As you read this, it may happen that you stop and think…
Slowly, you realize that it is true…
You had never thought about it in this way, but you see it now: God invites himself into our lives.

Some people may not want to see God ‘interfering’ in their existence!
It is a little what we see in today’s 1st reading where the prophet Jeremiah is not eager for God to come too close! (Jeremiah 20:7-9).

“You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed…
I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name.”

Jeremiah laments the choice God has made of him to be a prophet.
The message he must pass on to the people in the name of God brings him insults and abuse.
But he cannot resist fulfilling his mission.

Looking at our own lives, we may somehow feel disappointed as well.
We may have thought that accepting God in our lives would bring us blessings of all kinds.
But we are sometimes faced with being laughed at, or rejected, for being believers.
We may be seen as naïve, or out of touch with the ‘real’ world.
We may lose friends because of our being followers of Christ.

God does not impose himself on us, but he proposes a life of relationship with him.
The choice to accept, or to reject, God’s invitation, God’s presence in our life, is ours.

Much depends on our decision…
A more meaningful life, and a more promising afterlife…

God’s offer is a permanent one… and the choice always remains ours…

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/22e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/

 

Source: Images: unsplash.com (Helena Lopes)        pexels.com (Andrea Piacquadio)      https://www.encounter247.com       Wikipedia

Siblings Day – 10 April

10 avril 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: adulthood, bonds, brothers, childhood, families, relationships, siblings, sisters

It would be difficult to contest the fact that the bond between siblings is extra-special! Especially because many of them have spent most of their entire lives together. Many people can’t even remember a time when their siblings weren’t part of their lives. Some of them even shared a womb at the same time, if they were born as multiples!

Sibling bonds are often life-long relationships, usually lasting from cradle to grave. Since siblings are most likely from the same generation, these are often the longest relationships of a person’s life–much longer than a mother’s and father’s relationship.

Siblings Day is a way of honouring the special bond that happens within families, as brothers and sisters share life together from childhood into adulthood and even into old age.

It’s time to celebrate Siblings Day!

 

Source: Text: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sibling-day/    Image: DesiComments.com

Conflict Resolution Day – 20 October 2022

20 octobre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: arbitration, conflict resolution, conflicts, disagreements, médiation, peace, relationships

Conflict Resolution Day is observed on the third Thursday of October every year, falling on October 20 this year. Conflicts tend to arise in many areas of our lives, such as workplaces, relationships, and families. It is an unavoidable process of life. What is important, however, is how we resolve it. Conflict resolution does not have to be nasty; it can be resolved through peaceful methods.

HISTORY OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION DAY

In any relationship, disagreement is unavoidable, and possessing the ability to peacefully resolve it when it arises becomes necessary. Conflicts arise because humans have needs, and in a bid to satisfy their individual needs and interests, disputes occur because of clashes of interests. These conflicts can arise between family or friends. It is in consideration of the above that the Association for Conflict Resolution (A.C.R.) established in 2005 what we now know as Conflict Resolution Day.

In inaugurating this important day, A.C.R. highlighted promoting awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and other creative, peaceful methods of resolving conflict as the motive behind its formation. Also, promoting conflict resolution in schools, families, businesses, communities, governments, and the legal system. The day also seeks to recognize the significant contributions of peaceful conflict resolvers and to obtain national synergy by having celebrations happen across the country and around the world on the same day.

Conflict Resolution Day, which has now been celebrated for over 15 years, coincides with the ABA Mediation Week of the American Bar Association. The week was created to build on the efforts of many other national, state, and local organizations, including the Association for Conflict Resolution. The ABA and A.C.R., along with other organizations, raise awareness about the importance of mediation and conflict resolution.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaltoday.com/conflict-resolution-day  

28th Sunday of Year C – 2022

7 octobre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
2 Comments
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 2 Timothy 2:8-13, Ezekiel 34:15-16, God faithful, Isaiah 49:15, Matthew 28:20, Matthew 6:30, Psalm 32:8, relationships

We engage in different types of relationships: with relatives and friends, neighbors and colleagues.
From different people, we expect different things while we appreciate the qualities of each one.
But from all of them, we usually expect one attitude above all others, it is that of FAITHFULNESS.
We want to be able to rely on them in good and bad times alike.

Today’s 2nd reading (2 Timothy 2:8-13) ends with an amazing – and very comforting – statement.
It says:

“We may be unfaithful but he (God) is always faithful.”
 
God’s faithfulness does NOT depend on ours… some of us may need to convince ourselves of this.

Rules and regulations, commandments and observances – all of these are signposts to show us the way.
But our being faithful to them is NOT a condition for God’s love and compassion to reach us.

 

“Does a woman forget her baby at the breast? Even if these forget, I will never forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15)
            God is faithful…
“I will watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)
            God is faithful…
“I myself will show them where to rest… I shall look for the lost one… bandage the wounded.” (Ezekiel 34:15-16)
            God is faithful…
“If God clothes the flowers in the field… will he not much more look after you?” (Matthew 6:30)
            God is faithful…
“I am with you always, yes, to the end of time.” (Matthew 28:20)
            God is faithful…

It is said that there is nothing God cannot do.
Personally, I believe that God CANNOT forget his promises.
God CANNOT fail to carry out what he said he would do
God CANNOT be untrue to his word.

Even in the depths of our own unfaithfulness, we can always rely on this FAITHFUL GOD.
 
 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/28e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: Haiku Deck

5th Sunday of Easter, Year C – 2022

13 mai 2022
Nicole Gregoire
2 Comments
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Acts 14:21-27, believe, committed, needs, relationships, rely on, trust

Looking at our lives, we sometimes pause to consider what is important to us.
We may look at this or that aspect and we question what is really… essential!

Our personal needs may first come to our minds.
And, of course, our relationships with the people near and dear to us are most important.

But… something is still missing… which can be found in a verse of today’s 1st reading (Acts 14:21-27).
It speaks of the two apostles, Paul and Barnabas, and says:
“Paul and Barnabas… committed the Elders of the communities to the Lord in whom they had put their trust”.

 To be committed to the Lord and put our trust in him – is this not essential to our very being?

Committed to the Lord by the people who love us, the people to whom we really matter –
this is, in fact, the best gift they can give to us.

Committed to the Lord also as something that WE, ourselves, do.
Committed, being engaged in an on-going relationship with him.
Committed, being faithful to what we know he expects from us.

A commitment which supposes that we have put our trust in him.
We have confided to him whatever is important to us,
we rely on him in all situations,
we surrender to him the small and big things of our daily life,
we confide to him our very selves.

I have noted with interest that in one version of the Bible, the word ‘believe’ is translated by ‘to trust’, ‘to rely on’.
This rendering of the text places faith in a perspective that offers all at once security and serenity…

 

Note: And another reflection, on a different theme, is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/5e-dimanche-de-paques-annee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: Commonweal Magazine

 

26th Sunday of Year A – 2020

25 septembre 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: attitude, guideline, mind, Ph.2:5, programme of life, question, relationships

At times, it happens that we honestly wonder what God expects from us.
We ask ourselves what would be pleasing to him in our way of living from day to day.

The first Christians of Philippi may have also been asking themselves the same question.
In today’s 2nd reading, we read Paul’s words to them as he gives them a guideline which is fitting for us as well.
In simple words it demands of us: BE LIKE CHRIST.

It seems that Paul’s words are not easy to translate as different versions of the text (Ph.2:5) give us a somewhat different advice:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” (New International Version)
Or:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (King James version)
Or:
“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.” (Christian Standard Version)

But, if we think about it, the three versions come to the simple 3-word text above: BE LIKE CHRIST –
in the way you think, the way you behave, the way you relate to others!

A demanding programme of life… the one pleasing to him in the very way that Christ did!
 

Note: Another reflection on a similar theme in French can be found at: https://image-i-nations.com/26e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2020/

 

Source: Image: wisdomandinstruction.org
 

17th Sunday of Year A – 2020

24 juillet 2020
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: apostles, choice, commitments, Mt.13:47-48, pandemic, relationships, sorting out, values

A period of pandemic… this is what we have been experiencing.
The confinement imposed on us is being relaxed but we cannot do all we used to do in the past.
During those months, many people have been busy with different types of activities, meaningful activities.

Some people have decided to spend some time in… sorting out things – things of all kinds.
Objects gathered over the years: old tools and utensils, souvenirs from journeys here and there, letters whose paper has now turned yellow, photos, etc.

Strangely enough, this is what the last part of today’s gospel invites us to do (Mt.13:47-48).
It presents us with the scene of fishermen doing precisely that:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea
and gathered some of every kind,  
which, when it was full, they drew to shore;
and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.”
 
Our sorting out will be of a different kind, the things to keep and those to throw away will vary.
But still, a choice is required…
Objects hoarded for a long time perhaps, yes, but more still perhaps: values, relationships, commitments…
Some of them to keep and develop, others to discard without hesitation.

It is interesting to hear Jesus ask his apostles:
“Have you understood all these things?”

 The question is asked of us also… the response is waiting… and the sorting out process also…

 

Note: Another reflection on a different theme in French can be found at: https://image-i-nations.com/17e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2020/

And a reflection on the text of the 2nd reading is offered in video format in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/rencontre-inattendue/

 

Source: Image: Grace Baptist Church                    

 

1st Sunday of Advent, Year B

30 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awake, awareness, Jesus, meaning, message, Mk. 13:33-37, option, relationships, season, wake up call

Many of us will have heard the words of a friend calling on his friend : “Wake up! I am talking to you!”
Or, someone addressing a colleague with insistence: “Wake up! I am speaking to you about something important.”
In both cases, what we hear is a ‘wake up call’, literally so.

In some way, we could say that such a ‘wake up call’ is one of the main themes of the Advent period starting today.
A message is addressed to us inviting us to come out of our slumber – mental and spiritual – and to pay attention to what is happening around us and within us too.

In today’s gospel (Mk. 13:33-37), it is Jesus himself who tells us: “Stay awake”!
And addressing his twelve friends, he adds:

“What I say to you I say to all: ‘Stay awake’.”
 
There is a word that, in form and in meaning, is quite similar to the word awake;
It is the word: ‘aware’.
It is good to look at them together and find there the deep meaning of this season of Advent.
In is a time when we should be especially aware – aware of what is taking place around us, aware of what is happening within us.

Aware of God’s message coming to me every day through events and people.
Aware of what I live from day to day, compared to what I would like to live.
Aware of what I do, which may be quite different from what I know I should be doing.
Aware of how I relate to others, and getting to realize that my relationships could be more mutually enriching.

Aware also of what could happen… if only we allow God to reach us and walk with us!
He who chooses the amazing option of becoming a human being like us!
Aware of how close, or how far, I am from him who wants me to live more intimately with him.

Advent: Awake and Aware: the attitude characteristic of this graced season.

Source: Image: lds.org

Note: Another reflection is available in French on a different theme at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-b/

and a video presentation can be seen at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-de-lavent-annee-b-quil-revele/