Year B - Second Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent - Year B

Isaiah 40, 1 - 11

Psalm 84

2 Peter 3, 8 - 14

Mark 1, 1 - 6

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Details

- The rabbit is rather pressed and wishes to speed things along. But what things? The word of the bible says "It is for you that He is patient". He is patient to give you all the time to convert. The ball is in our court, in my court. But there we are, I have time for many things, but do I "take" time to convert? Nobody "has" the time, but  to "have" some, one must "take" it, and put it to one side for this task.

- With his nostrils, he breathes (fulmination no doubt) to accelerate  the melting of the ice. He sees solutions to go quicker ; solutions for God "you must do this or that", and solutions which come from himself (heat the ice). So, he passes by the wayside concerning his conversion, which  must happen inside himself. If he knew that it was he who God waited for, he who is concerned by his conversion... maybe he would see things differently? But here, he is so pressed that he uses, at the same time, his nostrils to melt the ice and his mouth to speak... How much do I resemble him?

Questions

- We forget the proverb "He who goes steady goes further". Do I wish to go further ? If so, am I going steady and how ? Enemy number 1 in the world today is the race against time. We do everything to move around more rapidly, we complain if we miss a subway connection, when there is another arriving in 40 seconds, we order online to have products delivered to us in the shortest timescales, even if it is more expensive. What is human in this? What is not human? What of it do I endorse? And the conversion, the fact to put things into question, to change? That will happen after everything else, if we have the time...

Year B - First Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent - Year B

Isaiah 63, 16...64, 7

Psalm 79

1 Corinthians 1, 3-9

Mark 13, 33-37

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Details

- Two computers. One is in standby mode, the other one is off.

- On the right, the hand of God. It only just touches the mouse and a rabbit erupts, ready (maybe we have noticed that the computer that switches on is the one whose screen is facing God?)

- The rabbit is emerging from the frame. The frame represents what's usual, expected, normal. By coming out of the frame, he's ready for the novelty of God.

- He's "on guard", ready to listen (his ears are extended) and to follow God.

Questions

- The difference between a computer which is off and a computer which is in standby mode resides in the time it takes to start. The one which is off needs time to heat up, to initialise, to execute programmes. The one which is in standby mode is "ready". He only needs a little something to wake up.

- The drawing doesn't mean that God manipulates us as we manipulate a computer with a mouse. It means that you must be in standby mode to be able to welcome God's delicacies which will touch our life everyday and to be able to recognise them. Anyone Christian who goes to church on a Sunday and then puts his faith away in a cupboard for the rest of the week, is he not like a computer which is off?

- Do I want to get ready for Christ's coming on Christmas or will I carry on with my life without questioning it and get to Christmas Eve and say "Is it Christmas already?".

- How will I try to stay in standby mode, particularly during these four weeks?

Year A - Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Ezekiel 34, 11...17

Psalm 22

1 Corinthians 15, 20-26. 28

Matthew 25, 31-46

To go further

Details

- The character on the left represents Jesus (each time you see a halo with a cross inside, it is Christ. I use this symbol of the representation of Christ, taken from oriental icons.... not, of course, wishing to depreciate their value, but to keep the symbol)

- On the right, it is death (Nooooooo, not possible!).

- The scene is that where Jesus beats death definitively, by His death on the cross (the cross, on the detonator, is that which will make death jump). In short, death can do no more, he is lost.  He plugs up his ears waiting for the moment. Impossible to attack against the Saviour (look well, the scythe is hooked in the wire of the detonator, he can no longer cause ill) "Oh death, where is your victory?" Saint Paul says. 

Questions

- Do I believe that God is stronger than Satanism?

- Do I believe in the definitive victory of Christ on evil, on death?
- Do I believe in a future world, or in this world, in my own life?

Year A - Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Proverbs 31, 10...31

Psalm 127

1 Thessalonians 5, 1-6

Matthew 25, 14-30

To go further

Details

- Not a lot. The gold bar here is the grace of the baptism ; I have become Christian by grace of the death and the resurrection of Christ. That is what brings value to that which is received.

- There are 8 little clouds of dust (like the 8 Beatitudes). In burying the gold bar, we also bury at great depths the whole message that Christ proclaimed on the mountain.

Questions

- Do I contribute as much enthusiasm and energy to try to hide the fact that I am Christian, rather than to simply say it? If yes, why?

- Am I afraid to have to change something in my life if I say clearly that I am Christian?

- An ingot in the night does not shine any brighter than a heap of coal. What could shine brighter in you? To shine to guide others?

Year A - All the Faithful Departed

All the Faithful Departed - Year A

Wisdom 2, 23 ; 3,1 - 6.9

Psalm 4

Romans 6, 3 - 9

John 5, 24 - 29

To go further

Details

- The grey rabbit thinks of his friend, deceased, and past. He is not looking to the future (the eternal life where he will find him). He looks at the ground, not the sky.

- In the sky, very close to me, his friend is there, visibly happy. He tries to make a sign but it is impossible to communicate with him because the grey rabbit does not look in the right place. His ears are turned in the right direction, but his eyes, without hope, take over.

Questions

- It has already happened to me to meet some young people (and not only young ones) who have refused to go into a church because it reminds them of a funeral. Is the church a place of death? It is true that there are representations of death (crucifixes) pretty much everywhere... and not all that much which represents the resurrection.

So, I speak to believers; friends, YOU are the representation of the risen Christ in your church, and if you are not, you MUST BECOME IT. If nobody represents the risen Christ, if Jesus arisen is not visible in our living rocks who are we, where and how will the non-believers discover it?

- Another question: How should I consider death? Do I dig into the question? Do I avoid it? How should I understand these two affirmations "I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come"? Where will I find the answers? Who should I ask? Why?

This 2nd November, I can remember those who have died and who will form the welcome committee when it will be my turn to pass through the door to the eternal life.

Year A - Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Malachi 1, 14 - 2, 2 ... 10

Psalm 130

1 Tessalonians 2, 7 - 9. 13

Matthew 23, 1 - 12

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Details

- The angle of view is situated more or less at ground level. It is the human condition. Humility comes from "humus". He wishes to lift himself, uses an object. When I wish to lift myself, I also use either an object which I value, or a quality (which was given to me, don't forget) or somebody on my path, whom I profit from. And when this object or this person is no longer there, PLAF!

- Second point, the gym is EMPTY.  All my prowess to lift me up serves only myself and does not benefit anyone else.

- Third point, it is not a coincidence if the rabbit hits the bar. A bar which is in the eye and which blinds him.

- Last point, the rabbit at the bottom, it is my conscience. My conscience which knows that which is good, but often, I do not listen, I put myself in the corner. Shame on me.

Questions

No need for questions. The explanation at the top is more than enough.

Year A - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Exodus 22, 20 - 26

Psalm 17

1 Tessalonians 1, 5 - 10

Matthew 22, 34 - 40

To go further

Details

- There is the parable in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 18,28) where he who has lent throws himself upon he who owes him, to strangle him. Here, we see a hand which is used to strangle and another which is ready to hit.

- The rabbit on the left has the "knowledge" (he knows the ten commandments), the one on the right expects a model, a witness, not someone who is judgemental.

Questions

This cartoon also illustrates a saying of Jesus concerning the Pharisees. "Do as I say, not as I do" It is easy to say that the most important commandment is to love. Yet, in what I do, do I show this? Do I live it? Am I a living   "Living Word"?

Year A - Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Isaiah 45, 1. 4 - 6

Psalm 45

1 Tessalonians 1, 1 - 8

Matthew 22, 15 - 21

To go further

Details

- Last week, the sunglasses signified the holidays on the image. This time, they allow him to see God (« We cannot see God without dying ») In fact yes, this is why we call ; SEE GOD! The holiness of God is great, great by excellence. This is what we acclaim during mass, when we sing "Sanctus". Think about it next time we sing it...

- On the ground, there are three other pairs of sunglasses, one to contemplate each divine being ; one for the Father, one for the Son and one for the holy spirit.

Questions

- The rabbit adores God with all his being, he can present himself to Him, face to face. And I, do I have this same attitude? Is there something which blocks me ?

- Do I adore each being of the Trinity? (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)?

- Is the holiness of God an obstacle for me in my relation with Him?

Year A - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 25, 6 - 9

Psalm 22

Philippians 4, 12 - 14

Matthew 22, 1 - 14

To go further

Details

- The decor. It is empty except for God and I. On the day of passage, I will take nothing with me, I will have nothing more, I shall be alone with God (and my past).

- The rabbit, visibly, was on holiday on earth (shorts, sunglasses). Now, it is really too late to work in the vineyard of the Lord. He even tries to hide this from the Master who knows all, by holding his sunglasses behind his back.

- The shadow of the rabbit. This should usually be behind him, because the light comes from God ("God is Light" 1John 1, 5). This shadow is the dam (sins) that the rabbit placed between God and him.

Questions

- In the parable,  he who does not have their wedding clothes stays silent when asked the question. And I, what are my wedding clothe? In what, or in whom, do I place my convictions to be saved.

- Being thrown out at the last hour, am I afraid of it? Is it just for the others?

Year A - Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

 Isaiah 5,1-7

Psalm 79

Philippians 4,6-9

Matthew 21,33-43

To go further

Details

-The rabbit is swimming at quite a depth (one can see as the colour of the water is rather dark). He is not afraid of the shark, he even believes that it is a joke, a "red herring".

-The peace which comes from God is not a peace which removes the problem or which makes us believe there is no problem at all. If we treat a problem as a red herring, it is because we do not wish to face it.

-If the shark is the "problem", then the rabbit turns his back to it, but not his head. He points his finger to the problem and continues to swim despite all.

-This is the peace which comes from God. : It does not protect us from problems, but it does allow us to put them in perspective and to treat the seriously bad things at a distance whilst holding them at arms length.

Questions

-This Bible verse is cut at both ends ; Here is the entire verse "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"

-And I, what are my "sharks" (my problems)? Do they scare me to the point that I see only them ? To the point that I no longer wish to even live? Do I ask for the peace which comes from God?

Year A - Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Ezekiel 18, 25 - 28

Psalm 24

Philippians 2, 1 - 11

Matthew 21,28 - 32

To go further 

Details 

- The rabbit, in prayer, invokes the name of Jesus. This brings the demon to fall (as ever, in my comic strips, there is the number 6 [imperfection] when there is the question of a demon. There are 6 stars).
-  The demon falls from the dizzy heights where he had placed himself. He is now put in his rightful place.

- He doesn't even fall to his knees, but to an even lower level still.

- The blue rabbits' hand is showing uncertainty, but the effectiveness of his word is sure. There is a visible difference between the timidity of the rabbit and the force of his word inspired by God.


Questions 

 - To invoke the name of Jesus is always effective. Yet "Effective" does not mean to say "it works as I wish it to" (nor "it works under certain conditions"). It means "He is acting upon it".
"In every situation, ask yourself: what would our Lord have done? Then do that" wrote brother Charles. "That is your only rule but it is absolutely binding on you"

-If we ask what Jesus would do, it is because we know him at a minimum. I cannot ask myself what my great-great-grandfather would have done, if I did not know him. On the other hand, I can ask myself what Jesus would have done as I have enough elements (in the Gospel) of his actions and gestures.
To know the wish of God, it is to first know the being of God ; To know the wish of God, seek to know God.

- Am I more attached to the result of my prayer than to the he who I pray to?

Year A - Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Isaiah 55, 6 - 9

Psalm 144

Philippians 1, 20 - 27

Matthew 20, 1 - 16

 

To go further 

Details 

- God's greatness shows itself in different ways.

- The visible and the invisible. We can only see one part of the racing car just like we can only see part of God's greatness.

- The fullness. There are seven "O"s in the VROOOOOOO The seven of them are flame-coloured. It's the fullness of God's love.

- The greatness of God goes through the picture from one end to the other, just like it goes through our life. It's present before our birth and after our death.

- God's greatness is leading us..  The hat represents the head (Christ) who is God, who' s leading his body (the Church, us) with him.

- God' greatness also lead us to our own limits (symbolised by the signpost 90). Thesse limits, when they are visited and purified by God, lead us to holiness. 

Questions 

- At what moment was I dazzled by God's greatness ?

- What feelings did that arise in me ?

- What are the consequences in my everyday life ?

Year A - Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Sirach 27 - 30

Psalm 102

Roman 14, 7 - 9

Matthew 18, 21 - 35

 

To go further 

Details 

- This short comic strip sums up the Gospel very well.

- First page : The rabbit sees a scratch on "his ride". He's very angry (above the page, there is a clenched fist). He's all the more annoyed as he doesn't seem to be responsible for it (his wife is discretely walking away).

- Second page : he's asking God whether he should forgive up to seven times (he's counting on his fingers). Seven scratches would be the equivalent of a strike with a rake.

- Third page : the hands (of God) answer "no no, not seven times, but ..." and they show a scrapheap where we can only just about recognise the colour of the car, the rims and the steering wheel. 

Questions 

- From that perspective, the story is perfectly preposterous. As it is, gentlemen, a scratch on your car is no less than a total affront, how could we consider forgiving that much ? And yet ...

- In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, under n° 982, we can read " There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidently hope for forgiveness, provided his repentance is honest. Christ who died for all men desires that in his Church the gates of forgiveness should always be open to anyone who turns away from sin.

- This is very good news for me if I believe that I have done something unforgiveable, because God may still forgive me (provided that I truly regret)

- This is very bad news for me when I support the death penalty or when I want to sentence someone, believing it woud be better to get rid of him because he's wicked. By doing this, I'm not offering him any chance to change. What's more, I'm taking God's place.