Star of Bethlehem SMB
Bethlehem Mission Society

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Every Day The Word Of God

Living the Beatitudes: Choosing to Trust in God

Living the Beatitudes: Choosing to Trust in God

Jesus invites us to a happiness that does not depend on wealth or human recognition, but on trust in God. Through the Beatitudes, He calls us to see beyond appearances and choose true life. And we, where do we place our trust?   A Fundamental Choice The prophet Jeremiah confronts us with an essential decision: to put our trust in God and receive His blessing or to rely solely on human strength and suffer the consequences. He reminds us that true freedom and abundant life come from our relationship with the Lord.   Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord. They will be like a tree planted by the waters, that sends out its roots toward the stream. (Jer 17:7-8)   Today’s Gospel continues this reflection with Luke’s Beatitudes, where Jesus declares blessed the poor, the hungry, the afflicted, and the persecuted. Conversely,… Read more
February 16, 2025

Discover The Bible

Jean 6: Jesus’ Discourse on the Bread of Life

Jean 6: Jesus’ Discourse on the Bread of Life

The sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, often referred to as the “Discourse on the Bread of Life,” has sparked significant theological debate throughout history. This deeply spiritual and theological text has divided interpreters, from the Church Fathers to modern scholars.   The Church Fathers: Between Allegory and Eucharist The Church Fathers were not unanimous in their interpretation of this passage. The Alexandrian School, represented by Origen and Clement of Alexandria, favored an allegorical reading. Clement wrote: “The Logos is symbolically described in many ways: food, flesh, nourishment, bread, blood, milk” (Paedagogus, 1, 6,47). Conversely, The Antiochene School (Cyril of Jerusalem, John Chrysostom) emphasized the Eucharistic significance of verses 52-58. John Chrysostom wrote: “To those who desire it, Jesus does not merely allow them to see, but also to touch, to eat, and to bite” (Hom. 46, 3).   Watch Now: Explore the Discourse on the Bread of Life… Read more
January 18, 2025

Mission

New SMB Candidates: Launch of the Community Experience Program in Harare

New SMB Candidates: Launch of the Community Experience Program in Harare

On January 6, 2025, six new candidates for the Missionary Society of Bethlehem (SMB) gathered at Bethlehem House, a new SMB formation house in Harare, Zimbabwe. They were welcomed by Ludovic Nobel, the Superior General of the SMB, accompanied by the local team of formators.   An International Group and a Fruitful Collaboration The candidates come from various African countries: Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. This group was formed through close collaboration with Bishop Papias Musengamana of Byumba (Rwanda), who visited the SMB in Zimbabwe at the end of December 2024 to support this initiative. Before arriving in Harare, five of these candidates spent two months in the Diocese of Byumba under the guidance of Fr. Gilbert. This period of discernment and spiritual accompaniment helped these young men deepen their vocation and better understand the demands of SMB mission work.   Upon their arrival in Harare, the… Read more
January 12, 2025

Series

Jésus et son monde (3 vidéos)

Jesus and His World (3 videos)

What did Jerusalem look like in the 1st century? Who were the Jews of that time, and what did the Samaritans believe?

Fr. Ludovic Nobel, a biblical scholar and Superior General of the Missionaries of Bethlehem, presents historical, geographical, and cultural elements from the time of Jesus to enrich our understanding of the biblical text.

This series was created in collaboration with the YouTube channel of the Catholic Church of the Canton of Fribourg (Switzerland) in January 2023.

Le sacrement du baptême dans le Nouveau Testament (7 vidéos)

The Sacrament of Baptism in the New Testament (7 videos)

This series of 7 videos explores in depth the sacrament of baptism as it is presented in the New Testament.

From its roots in the Old Testament, through the story of John the Baptist and Jesus, we follow the key stages in the evolution of this sacrament up to the theology of baptism developed by the apostles Paul and John.

We discover how this fundamental rite took shape and became integrated into early Christian practice.

Saint Paul: Figure incontournable du christianisme (7 vidéos)

Saint Paul: A Key Figure of Christianity (7 videos)

In this series, we talk about Saint Paul, a pivotal figure in Christianity. To get to know him better, we offer you a series of 7 episodes.

Through these videos, we will ask the question: Who was Paul? We will delve into his conversion, an encounter that transformed his life. For whom did he become an apostle? And why does he claim this title?

We will follow Paul on his missionary journeys up to his imprisonment in Rome and explore his passionate correspondence.

Le sacrement du baptême dans le Nouveau Testament

The Sacrament of Baptism in the New Testament

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Nouveau Testament - Sacrements - L'Eucharistie

New Testament – Sacraments – The Eucharist

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L’Évangile de Jean

Discovering the Gospel of John

Compared to the Synoptic Gospels — Matthew, Mark, and Luke — the Gospel of John surprises and even stands out. It gives Jesus a solemn, sometimes mysterious language that intrigues and fascinates. Since the early Church, this Gospel has sparked controversy, particularly due to its use by some Gnostic circles, which made it suspect in the eyes of many believers. Saint Augustine already noted that while the Synoptics focus on Jesus’ actions and ethical teachings, John, like an eagle soaring to the heavens, sheds light on Jesus’ divinity. It’s a unique Gospel, unlike the others, not following the same structure. In this video series, we invite you to explore this fascinating Gospel. We will start with an introduction before diving into an analysis of key passages to uncover its profound theological and spiritual depth.

Mission en mouvement

Mission in motion

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Cultural And Biblical Journeys

Swiss Pilgrimage to Alsace during the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer

Each year, on the occasion of the Federal Fast, Father Ludovic Nobel, Superior General of the SMB and leader of the Pèlerinages Bibliques Romands (PBR), guides a group of Swiss pilgrims to a new spiritual destination. The Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer, celebrated on the third Sunday of September, is a day of prayer, thanksgiving, and reflection, rooted in a tradition dating back to the 16th century. Initially observed in Switzerland to seek divine protection from epidemics, wars, and other calamities, it is now a moment of gratitude for blessings received. This year, the destination was Alsace, a region rich in spirituality, history, and culture. From September 14 to 16, 2024, pilgrims explored this region, visiting sanctuaries, villages, and churches, in an atmosphere of prayer and discovery. Day 1: Mittelbergheim—One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France Saturday, September 14, 2024 The pilgrimage began with a guided tour […]

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