Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……..
Wednesday 18 October 2017
Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist
Luke is a trained doctor, it is quite certain that he experienced several times the gospel’s liberating, healing power . We know that he himself took part in several missions . These roads can be tried out by anybody even today . During my years in studying Theology with other novices , but later on with the orphans we often embarked on the road in the light of Christ’s gospel. In fact the film "Travels with a monk (friar )!" is partly about this ! We set off from Szováta and every day travelled past a village approx. 40-50 of us . The local parish priest knew about our arrival. When we arrived into a village we read a parts of Jesus’ magnificent words from the gospel. For instance when He sends His 72 disciples. Then in pairs, or as a threesome we started out on the streets of the village , trustingly we called on people, we helped them in their work and there was always someone who invited us for lunch we even received accomodation . During the day we invited everybody for an evening program that did not only consist of a holy mass , but also happy, cheerful songs , games were also part of. Many exciting things happened to us each day . At night my companions were telling exciting stories interrupting one another short . I also had days when I was helping gypsies laying bricks all day long. During work people tend to open up more and tell many ,many interesting stories . Another day I finished up with a very sad family where one member of the family committed suicide and people poured their hearts out. We prayed , cried together . Then there was when a different denomination invited us and together with the neighbours we had a fairly volatile argument , but after a glass of wine we all calmed down and had a cheerful discussion .
A missionary’s road is full of secrets , wonders as there are no two similar people , no two similar lives . The essence is that we really walk our ways with the love of Christ’s gospel. It is not our duty to convert people we only give testimony that God loves us and He wants to replan our lives and wants us to be happy . My life is a continuous mission as there are times when my way takes me to magnificent churches at other times to humble abodes. Christ calls everybody , sends us to everybody since we all are sisters and brothers and He died for all of us on the Cross !
With love,
Father Csaba.
translated by dr k.e.
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter,
first say, 'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’"
Luke 10, 1-9
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……..