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24th Sunday of Year B – 2024

13 septembre 2024
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: décision, God's presence, listening, Psalm 116:1-6.8-9, relying on the Lord, surrender, trusting the Lord

The reflection on the texts of our celebration is usually focused on one of the readings.
But today it is centered on a verse of the Psalm used as a response to the 1st reading (Psalm 116:1-6,8-9).

“I will walk in the presence of the Lord”.

This is an inspiring decision as a guide for the whole of my life.
Walking in the presence of God, walking with him…

– Listening to him
– Following his inspiration
– Moving at the rhythm he sets
– Adopting the values he proposes
– Leaving aside the useless, the unimportant
– Relying on him for all I need
– Trusting him in all situations
– Daring to surrender all of my life to him…

The text of the Psalm has much to sustain my attempts to live in this way, assuring me:

“The Lord listens to my prayer,
He bends down to listen to me when I call.
The Lord defends the simple,
he saved me when I was brought to my knees…
He has rescued me from death,
my eyes from tears and my feet from stumbling”.

All reasons supporting my resolve, indeed:

“I will walk in the presence of the Lord”.

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/24e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/

 

Source: Image: https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/web/psalms-116-9-web.php

The Alphabet of Lent – Letter F

22 février 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: believe, blind men, conviction, faith, Isaiah 43:4, Matthew 9:27-30, relationship, rely on someone, surrender, trust

F for Faith

To have faith, it is… to believe, you will say.
Of course… but still?
It is to accept a set of propositions on a given topic.
You are right but… only this?

A short text of the gospel reveals more:
 “As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out,
‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, 
‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you’; 
and their sight was restored” (Matthew 9:27-30).

Jesus’ question was clear: ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’
The two blindmen did not proclaim their faith in some formulas.
They did not accept a list of beliefs which they should give their assent to.
They simply replied “Yes” to someone.

They relied on someone – this is faith – to trust someone reliable!
To dare to rely on someone, to dare to surrender to… God.

He who, since long ago, has told us through the prophet Isaiah:
“You are precious in my sight… I love you” (Isaiah 43:4).

A conviction which opens up to a relationship absolutely unique… with God himself.
Daring… to believe it…
 

Source: Image: https://goodnewsshared.wordpress.com/     

 

 

 

 

5th Sunday of Lent, Year A – 2023

24 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Ezechiel 37:12-14, gift of the Spirit, Gods promises, knowing God, Life, resurrection, surrender

The first reading of this Sunday is quite astonishing (Ezechiel 37:12-14).
Only three verses but they offer six promises – promises from God himself.

Promises of resurrection,
of life,
of a homeland,
of the gift of God’s Spirit,
of knowing God himself.

Promises repeated, for good measure!
And the text concludes with these words:      

“I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

God speaks, God promises, God commits himself.
Why would we not take him at his word?!
And… dare to reply to his promises…      

Lord, astounding God,
I trust your words,
I rely on your promises,
I dare hope to live for ever,
I surrender to you…

This should suffice for… a lifetime!
 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/5e-dimanche-du-careme-annee-a-2023/

 

Source: Image: Scripture Images

29th Sunday of Year B

19 octobre 2018
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: believe, God become human, He.4:14-16, serenity, surrender, weaknesses

There are some Scripture texts which are… easy and comforting to hear, or to read.
There are others which are difficult to… accept because they are quite demanding to put into practice.
There are others still which are difficult to BELIEVE because it seems that… they are just too wonderful!

The 2nd reading of this Sunday (29th Sunday of Year B – He.4:14-16) belongs to this last category.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews tells us:

“It is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us;
But we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin.”
 
Is it not e x t r a ordinary to have, yes to have, such a God “feeling our weaknesses with us.”
A God who is so… human!

He has been tired and thirsty.
He has known the pain of betrayal by a friend.
He has tasted the bitterness of rejection by his own people.
He has experienced the failure of having his followers move away from him.
He has anticipated with anxiety what was to happen to him.
He has felt the terrible suffering of being savagely beaten and crucified.

When we feel rejected and abandoned…
When we experience loneliness and are misunderstood…
When suffering seems unbearable and anxiety overwhelming…

Then… the moment has come to repeat, or simply hear in the depth of ourselves:
‘He has known what it is’, and to surrender to him
the pain, the evil, the wickedness even, that we are struggling with…

Surrender to him… our selves.
Nothing is as powerful to calm our anxiety and restore serenity.

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/29e-dimanche-de-lannee-b/

Source: Image: youtube.com