image-i-nations trésor

14th Sunday of Year A – 2023

It is summertime and many people are longing for a break.
Some have been planning their vacation for a long time already.
Others have decided they’ll leave as a family for a ‘trip to nowhere’.
A few will be spending time at their chalet in the countryside.
All of them want to leave aside the usual routine and have a REST!

Surprisingly, the gospel text speaks precisely of this (Matthew 11:25-30).
Jesus himself invites us to experience true REST.
He tells us:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

God knows – he does indeed! – that we often feel wearied and burdened–
we really need a rest.
REST… from what?

From the burden of useless worry…
From the repeated efforts to prove ourselves…
From the constant feeling of having to perform…
From the painful memories surging so often from the past…
From the regrets of missed opportunities…
From the chores, the tasks, the duties demanding time, always more time…

It does not mean to give up the responsibilities we have freely accepted.
We are not to forget what we have committed ourselves to do for people who count on us.
We will not simply think only of ourselves and what we feel like, or desire.

It means that we will take on a new… ‘lifestyle’, if it can be put this way.
The gospel text adds:

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me”. 

This is the second part of Jesus’ invitation: to learn from him, taking on his ways, his ‘lifestyle’.
We may find – amazingly – that this takes away the stress as well as the self-centredness.
We go about daily living in a more relaxed fashion.
Life becomes lighter, freer, more enjoyable… restful!

It is worth a trial!…
Answering Jesus’ invitation is a good occasion to do this…

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/14e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/

 

Source: Images: pexels.com (Uriel Mont)   (Ron Lach)   Proud to Be T J’S Man

 

27th Sunday of Year A – 2020

At times, when reading a text from Scripture, you may stop short and ask yourself: ‘Is this really possible?’

The 2nd reading of this Sunday (Ph.4:6-9) could provoke such a reaction.
Writing to the Philippians, the apostle Paul tells them:       

“Do not be anxious about anything.”
 
The question cannot fail to come to our minds: ‘Is this really possible?’
God knows how many things make us worry and how many situations bring anxiety to us.
Problems and difficulties are sometimes too many, too heavy, and we experience insecurity and fear.
We feel that what we have to face is just too much for us.

Paul tells the first Christians what they should do to overcome their anxiety:
“In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
 
THE problem might be that… we try to manage on our own… while God’s help is there at hand.
God’s strength, God’s comfort, God’s assistance, GOD is there… waiting that we turn to him –
turn to him with our requests for all that we are in need of.

The result of such relying on him can be astonishing.
Paul assures us:
 
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is worth trying…

 

Note: Another reflection on a different theme in French can be found at: https://image-i-nations.com/27e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2020/

 

Source: Image: Inspirational Bible Verse Images – Knowing Jesus

Terrorist attacks

Paris, Bamako, violence and terror: we wonder, we worry…

Awful, terrible, inhuman – we lack words to describe the reality. France, Mali, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Libya, Yemen,  Afghanistan, Palestine… The litany could go on and on… Yes, we wonder, we worry and… and we search for answers.

The gospel does not speak of terrorism but on this Tuesday of the 34th week of the liturgical year, the message we read (Lk.21:5-11) describes situations of violence and terror and yet we are told: « Do not be frightened. »

People light candles while outside The Belle Equipe restaurant in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, a day after the attacks on Paris. French President Francois Hollande vowed to attack Islamic State without mercy as the jihadist group admitted responsibility Saturday for orchestrating the deadliest attacks inflicted on France since World War II. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
People light candles while outside The Belle Equipe restaurant in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, a day after the attacks on Paris. (AP Photo/    Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

We wonder, we worry and… we pray:

Lord, in our world so many things happen every day;
the news bulletins bombard us with events
such as those we hear about in today’s gospel –
wars, earthquakes, plagues and famine.
We listen to facts and statistics that impress on us
a vivid picture of what is taking place.
Somehow, we get used to this kind of news,
but sometimes we feel uneasy, upset, anxious.
We need to hear anew your message: « Do not be frightened. »
We ask you: Help us to put our trust in your words
and not to be shaken by anything that may happen. AMEN.