Tuesday 27 December 2016 The feast of Saint John apostle and Evangelist.

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

John 20, 2-8

Father Csaba’s reflections  on the gospel for today:

Monday 26 December 2016  Feast of Saint Stephen our first martyr.

On the feast of Saint Stephen, our first martyr , we remember with  love all those who suffered , suffer for their stand for the truth, at the same time we ask  for perseverance, strength with the intercession of Saint Stephen , so that we are also capable to stand up for truth dressed in love !! 

I also pray with lots of love for all our children, colleagues, friends named in his honour !! Today I’ll remember them in the midday mass,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.

You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

Matthew 10, 17-22

Father Csaba’s reflection on today’s gospel.

Thursday 22 December 2016

We help gladly but only as much as absolutely necessary without overdoing it !! Mary radiating happiness , joy , stays there for three months with her elderly relative, does the washing, cooking, cleans the place, plays with the little John!! By helping she also gets help , getting ready for her own role as a mother !! May God  grant us that we ourselves carrying God in our hearts , in high spirits , joyfully  embark on the way of love and service that by doing our everyday tasks our faces maybe lit up by our Lord Jesus Christ’s beautiful feature !!

With love,

Father  Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Photo depicts  the Franciscan sisters in  Árkos  taking in the homeless mothers-to-be,  so that there  there in their convent they can get ready for motherhood and give birth to their babies!

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever." And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

Luke 1, 46-56 

Father Csaba’s reflections on the gospel today..

Wednesday 21 December 2016

Mary enters  the house and even "the babe leaped  for joy" ! How great it would be if around me, around you ,people would rejoice when we appear somewhere! How good it would be if our presence would give , radiate joy, light , strength, health to those living in our surrounding, happiness to the home that we enter !

For the man born from a handful of dust the most sublime goal would be to become a  gift, a blessing there in the land from which he was taken and to which he shall return in  his death ! The rest is up to our Creator ! That is why I encourage youth with a great determination , willingly you yourself become a Christmas blessing , gift for your loved ones !

Wishing you a blessed Christmas ,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth.

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Luke 1, 39-45

Father Csaba’s reflections on the gospel

Power !? The elections are taking place , the struggles for the positions !! I am praying with love that our politicians may get into decision making  positions now after the elections ! In the light of today’s gospel I pondered that in reality what can actually give a man long-lasting power over another one !! I think that there is only one permanent  power that is worthwhile to accept, practice - the power of love dressed in truth . This is the reason why after many centuries our king Saint László , a role model and compass for every man who is willing to  become an office-holder !

I ask you with the love of a lesser brother in Christ to pray together for our elected politicians , that now in the year staring in the honour of  our king Saint László, with the spirituality , decency, honesty building a community even integrating our enemies as well with love, with a power dressed in justice to carry out their community work in the interest of all of us ! 

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

The Authority of Jesus Questioned . 

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.  John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’  But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Matthew 21, 23-27

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel for today

Third Sunday of Advent 11 December 2016

He is languishing in prison the one about whom our Lord Jesus Christ Himself said that,"among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater” !! John the Baptist dies in prison but his life does not end under the executioner’s bard !! The first prophet of the New Testament put the measure very high for all those , who want to influence public opinion !! The real prophet’s fate was always harsh ! People are not always interested in the truth , in God’s healing , cleansing words , in truth there was always a need for false prophets , who for money say what the domineering  would like to hear , be heard of  themselves !! Even today one has to look for  the false prophets amongst the easygoing clergy, the journalists , corrupt politicians ! Unfortunately the false prophets not only praise the potentate , but use their pens to write  articles with scathing ridicule  very easily against anybody or anything as ordered with discrediting superiority! Let us pray , that God sends true prophets among us ones who either in different  mass media , even at the altar or in parliament dare and can  state the healing truths  that bring conversion , starting anew , modifying vocations !!

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

"When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.  Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written_

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.’

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Matthew 11, 2-11

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel for today. 

John the Baptist is the first prophet of the New Testament !! He is not crying about the past , however he is looking into the tomorrows, i preparing the Lord’s way , straightening His path !! How great it would be if we spent less time with the passband more with the future ahead us !! Today everybody wants to be a historian , opening , tearing up old wounds , reminding people about painful insults, even though the one who keeps looking back all the time is going to have a great fall !! The future is ahead of us , the world is crying out for brave prophets !! Our Lord Jesus Christ in the sacrament of baptism wants to pass on, onto His children, the priestly , prophetic , the kingly calling!! He is not the God of mourning , bitterness but the Lord of life !! Let’s leave our dead to the dead and we put our hand firmly on the plough-handle and let us push it firmly into the earth, so it can tear out a life-giving  furrow for the tomorrow ! Man should not throw the towel in voluntarily , one has to fight for his own and his people’s life!! A few days ago I brought the 99 years old Father Antal to Kecskemét as he himself requested it, because he wants to write a book and he is seeking, asking for the doctors’ help to be able to continue his work !! I admire this elderly father because he is not giving up, practically  blind, deaf cannot really walk either  he would still like to compose his message , tell it to the young people , because he believes in the future of our beautiful world created by God , in the tomorrow and he is also are that this is only going to be built from prayer, joining forces and lots and lots of work !

With gratitude and love

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Photo : Father Antal telling his physician about the structure of his new book.

And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

Matthew 17, 11-13

Father Csaba’s reflections on today’s gospel….

Friday 9 December 2016

Unfortunately we are escaping from demanding thoughts at the bottom of our hearts, one can find a hundred thousand explanations , excuses but only simply  so ,that we do not have to make certain decisions , important changes in the course of our lives ! I often ask myself the question how are we capable to lie to ourselves !? Very often why do we cheat ourselves , why are we not listening to our Creator talking to us through our consciences ?!

We Christians believe that at the bottom of our hearts You are there our beloved God, who gave us  a “hearing” ear, our capacity to speak to express our thoughts . Our conscience like a wonderful GPS guides, would guide us if we would let it ! Many times we silence our conscience so many decisions are not made at this deep level, but at the level of our momentary whim , mood desire or just simply “what will be, will be “! For me one of the greatest questions is what needs to happen so that change , that certain changing of “gears” would happen in one’s life!? Márton Áron the army officer , a grown man , with a bloody world war behind him puts aside everything and embarks on a road so by studying theology dedicates his life to God! Mother Theresa even though was  a nun , in a religious order, decides to give up teaching and walks out into the slums , where she rents a dusty shed where she took in the first  dying man off the street.! I could go on, as in so many saints' lives there is that dizzying “death jump “, when they get off a well trodden , safe road for an unknown , road untravelled  ! Yes my God, meeting You our Lord - and there is no mincing of the words -is a death-leap ! So that we can follow in Your footsteps , we have to let go of the trapeze giving us some security, and falling into a space seemingly infinite , making a summersault we are flying ,lead by the faith, that Your two strong arms will catch us , leading us , by sending us flying further on!

Leaving the well-troden path behind, starting a new life holding onto our Creator’s hand, can only be achieved by living faith , and whoever is afraid of throwing themselves into this big adventure, that person is rather fooling ,cheating himself  by lying !

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Photo: Soldiers' graveyard. 

Jesus said to the crowds:

“To what shall I compare this generation? 

It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ 

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 

The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

Matthew 11, 16-19

Father Csaba's reflections on the gospel......

Thursday 8 December 2016

My Lord , by the light of Your gospel today I admire the herald the angel Gabriel , I look up to him with admiration and I try to follow him !! You entrusted him with a special task and he carried this out  weir successfully ! I would like to learn three things from the angel as the herald of Your good news!!

1. Greet everybody politely, respectfully ! What nice words does the angel Gabriel use , with genuine respect greeting Mary , this teenage girl virtually unknown , without having proven herself ?! How much could the world change if we could dress one another with such honest respect ! After all , my companion , even if a sinner ,is a child of God! It is quite staggering that I look down , condemn , insult by degrading names the one for whom our Lord Jesus Christ has died on the cross and after all this I dare to appear in front of my Creator ? 

2. Passing the message on !! How nicely,patiently  does the angel unravel and explains the message ! Mary does not understand her task , she has questions, she is waiting for answers: The angel is not flustered , does not get nervous but calmly , nicely gives an answer to cover all questions . The angel Gabriel  encourages, explains solves Mary’s doubts, questions , disperses the uncertainty, mystery , the fear! How good it would be if I could pass on with so much wisdom, patience , calmly share the message entrusted to me with the children , my colleagues .

3. There is no superfluous word, prattling on ! A 10 -15 minutes long dialogue is enough for the wonderful work of the redemption of our world to start.

Mary the teenage virgin says “yes” to God, accepts of becoming the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ ! It is awesome this short precise , to the point dialogue , this is not like the sword of Saint Stephen, it is not long and flat but short and effective!! We also should strive for this, the world is not waiting for long deliberations but for dialogues to the point , clear and fruitful teachings!

It is quite certain that besides these three thoughts we could learn much more fro God’s angels  but if through the intercession of our Lady these three beautiful , angelic qualities would light up our faces  the certainly our world would be much nicer , peaceful !

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e. 

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Lady

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” 

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

Luke 1, 26-38

photos taken in the church near our home in Kisiratos and in the home after the holy mass..

dr k.e.

Father Csaba’s reflections on the gospel

Tuesday 6 December 2016

My God, You love everything that exists , otherwise You would not have created it! Our sheer existence is a proof that You love, want , accept us!!

I sit quietly in my room , I am praying , I am breathing slowly, I exist ! The joy of my being ,slowly drifts me towards the certain shore of my Creator’s love towards us , it is a safe haven , an infinitely pure joy fills me, I am at home , I arrived ! The light fills my heart and  aware of my insignificance with a childlike trust my Creator ,within Your arms I retire !!

With love,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

picture: a child goes to sleep in our home in Székelyhíd.

What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your* Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

Matthew 18, 12-14