Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……
First Sunday of Lent , 5 March 2017
Consumerism , power , possession ! The evil spirit gathers his victims with the same tricks even today ! Consume, devour, perform a miracle for yourself , tell the stones to turn into bread! If this does would not work , there is the other temptation ! Throw yourself off in broad daylight from the roof of the church people will admire you , you will be the king, you will have power , you can reign over your companions. Not only the desire to consume and power is present in every man but also the desire of possessions! You can afford it , take it away, take it home , it will be yours !
Christ rejects all temptations ! Is the holy moderation present in me in nourishments , do I have a realistic expectation in clothing, furnishing my home or is greed leading me ? In my relation with my companions is serving love or the desire of the power to crush , to trample on others my decision ?
During Lent I should consciously decide to turn towards simple, pure , healthy food instead of expensive , exotic ones ! Out of my possessions all that is superfluous , with a generous decision I should give to the ones who have a need for it !During these holy forty days even if it is in my power to give others orders , instead I should try to get the ones entrusted to me guided by the serving love of our Lord !
Becoming quiet I should notice where and with what is the evil one is attacking wanting, causing the ruining of me and my family.!
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
4Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Matthew 4, 1-11
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……