Goto main content
Like the wind in our sails || february 13th 2022 : sixth sunday of thew ordinary time - year c
2022-02-11

Like the wind in our sails || february 13th 2022 : sixth sunday of thew ordinary time - year c

Reading this Sunday's Gospel, I remember what God said to Israel in Dt 20.15.19: “Look! I put before you today life and happiness (blessing), or else death and misfortune (curse). Choose life..." It is exactly the same choice Jesus invites us to make by successively presenting to us four attitudes of happiness (Beatitudes) and four attitudes of unhappiness. And it should be noted that the 1st reading (“Cursed be the man…” and “Blessed be the man…”) and the Psalm (“Happy is the man…” and “Such is not the fate of wicked”) are situated in the same logic of invitation to choose life, happiness, blessing. 

I find it very comforting that Jesus cares about our happiness by taking into account the least aspects of our life, namely: our material situation (“Blessed are you, poor people…”); our basic/most basic needs (“Happy are you who are hungry now…”); our feelings/emotions (“Happy are you who are crying now…”); of our relationships with others (“Happy are you when men hate you…”). I find it very encouraging to know that I can still be happy, even in the midst of these various difficult situations seemingly at odds with happiness. But how is this possible? Let's look at the last two beatitudes to get an idea. 

"Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." A priori, it is certainly not good to be in affliction and to make tears and sadness a Beatitude. But this Beatitude reminds me of these words from a parable of Jesus as a reproach to his contemporaries: “We played the flute, and you did not dance. We sang songs of mourning, and you did not cry. Instead of dancing to the sound of the flute, Jesus' contemporaries wept instead; and instead of crying to songs of mourning, they danced instead. I understand that not all the joys we experience are necessarily positive or constructive. On the other hand, even if the feeling of sadness is often destructive, a certain form of sadness can be fulfilling because it is motivated by solidarity, by compassion, by empathy, by charity. 

“Happy are you when men hate you and exclude you…”. Yes, I recognize that it is very painful and very depressing to see oneself rejected by others because of one's convictions. But the most serious and destructive rejection we can experience is self-rejection by ourselves, that is, when we come to deny our convictions in order to be accepted by others. Jesus wants to tell us that harmony with ourselves is much more important than harmony with others in leading us to happiness. Harmony with others must be built on the rock of harmony with oneself; otherwise, harmony with others is only artificial and cannot lead us to real fulfillment and happiness. Let us first seek harmony with ourselves and God, and harmony with others will be given to us as well. 

 Thank you, Lord, for showing us the true path to happiness. 

HOUETOUNGAN Constantin

  • Message of 1 May 2024: " "You give them something to eat."

    On the occasion of May 1st, International Workers’ Day and the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the Quebec Assembly of Catholic Bishops invites Christian communities to pay attention to the current food crisis, to analyze the situation in the light of the Gospel, and to consider various courses of action to ensure that everyone has enough to eat.


    Published on 18.04.24
  • PARISH SUPPORT CAMPAIGN (TITHE) 2024

    In his video message for the annual campaign to support parishes (tithing), Bishop Paul-André Durocher reminds us how parishes are vibrant and dynamic, as well as places where the wealth, talents and gifts of all can be shared. "Following Jesus' example, everyone can make a difference in their community by sharing their time, talents and treasures." 


    Published on 15.04.24
  • 2024 Easter message from Bishop Paul-André Durocher

    How I wish I could experience Easter without having to endure Good Friday! 

    How pleasant it would be to lose weight without dieting or exercising, to master an art without practising for hours, or to succeed in a project without devoting so much energy and resources to it! It would be wonderful to be loved without having to give of myself to another, to be forgiven without having to ask for forgiveness, to be reconciled without having to overcome my pride.


    Published on 26.03.24
  • A Great Symphony of Prayer: The Our Father as a Programme of Life

    The CCCB Ad hoc Committee for the Preparation for the Jubilee 2025 is hosting a two-part series titled, “A Great Symphony of Prayer” which will enable the faithful one meaningful way to participate in the Year of Prayer which was announced by Pope Francis on 21 January 2024. 


    Published on 19.03.24
  • Journey Through Lent Video Series: Weekly Reflections for the Lenten Season

    The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, in collaboration with the National Liturgy Office and the Office national de liturgie, launches the 2024 video series titled Journey Through Lent. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, 14 February 2024, and for each Sunday in Lent, up to and including Palm Sunday, a video will be uploaded to the CCCB website featuring pastoral reflections based on the Readings for the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration. Geared to individuals, families, and communities, this series is meant to offer spiritual inspiration and guidance on how to prepare well for the Easter season.


    Published on 19.02.24
  • SHARE LENT 2024 - DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

    Share Lent is an annual highlight for Development and Peace.
    It is when the bishops of Canada encourage the faithful to give to Development and Peace, especially through the collection on Solidarity Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Lent...


    Published on 08.02.24
  • Pope Francis’ message for the 32nd World Day of the Sick (February 11, 2024)

     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.


    Published on 30.01.24
  • Bishops Release a Pastoral Letter on the Use of Social Media

    Yesterday, on the liturgical memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, and with the approval of the Permanent Council, the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) releases its Pastoral Letter on the use of social media titled: “Let Your Speech Always Be Gracious.”


    Published on 25.01.24
  • Sunday of the Word of God 2024

    The 2024 edition of the Week of the Word of God will take place from 19 to 28 January 2024, under the theme: "Never seen anything like it!  This week is grafted onto Sunday of the Word of God, instituted by Pope Francis.

    The theme proposed this year, is inspired by the finale of the story of the paralysed man forgiven and healed.  "We have never seen anything like it" (Mk 2:12). A varied programme will allow us to enter into the amazement and wonder that God's work brings to our lives.
     


    Published on 12.01.24
  • Journey Through Advent – A Video Series to Introduce and Reflect on the Season

    The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops presents Journey through Advent with the Most Rev. Bishop Jon Hansen, CSsR, Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. Join us as we reflect on the Scriptures for the Sundays of Advent 2023.

    A joint initiative of the National Liturgy Office, the Office national de liturgie and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis...

     


    Published on 11.12.23

Archidiocèse de Gatineau
180, boulevard du Mont-Bleu,
Gatineau (Québec) J8Z 3J5

info@diocesegatineau.org
Téléphone: 819 771-8391
Télécopieur: 819 778-8969

Contact the diocesan team
 

© 2021 Archdiocese of Gatineau. All rights reserved.

Created by Communications et Société powered by SedNove