Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……Tuesday 28 November 2017
During the past weeks I travelled over there continents , met many-many people , from Capital Hill in the United States , to the infamous town of the waste-sorters of Egypt I travelled to many places ! I had the opportunity to shake hands not only with a senator from Washington , but also with the homeless of Cairo . I managed to talk with people living in incredibly rich , amazing places , but also the with the “sons" of Saint Anthony the Great or Saint Anthony of the Desert, giving up everything living even today in the desert ! I arrived home at dawn today to Déva , and now I am also opening my parcel curiously . I am looking at what I brought back with me , wondering what is the answer to the big questions ? After what I saw, experienced what can I say about what tomorrow has in store for us ?!
Getting out of bed , as a first step like always ,I open the holy scriptures at today’s gospel . We are nearing the end of the our Church’s year at times like this our Mother the Church is drawing our attention to the final events this is why we read our Jesus Christ’s prophesies about the final times in the everyday gospel! Jesus Christ does not only identify Himself with our Mother the Church in His discourse with Saul “ Saul, why do you persecute me?” Acts of the Apostles ,but in many other places He also makes it clear that whatever you‘ve done for one of the least , you did it for me , because I and the Church are one ! This on the one hand is beautiful , but on the other hand another parallel presents , that the prophecy of Jesus suggests that all of us , even the Church , our world will be transfigured through the suffering of Good Friday ! If Christ’s way is our way as well , then today’s gospel is clear and even if with fear , but also with hope can we face the Golgotha ahead of us!
And this really is true because either like this or like that but for all of us , our way leads us through Golgotha !! I was standing beside my dear mother’s death bed , and also by the side of many others dying whom I knew , respected as well , and all of them left us with their suffering , plunging into death with their infinite loneliness in Christ’s way on Good Friday , waiting for the transfiguration ! I believe that if we cry out to Christ , even if foul like the right thief , we will meet with Christ “ before the day is out " in eternal life !
After the weariness of this long travel, the way I see it the Church and the world walks the way of Jesus as well ! I believe that Jesus on Palm Sunday offered a realistic, peaceful redemption for the world !! There and then we could have all decided by His side , but we decided by choosing the way of suffering ,on Golgotha ! The people living there and then, unfortunately chose by sin, Barabbas ! I am convinced that for mankind it is Palm Sunday ! During my journey I saw that today humanity still has a realistic chance for a peaceful transition walking on the way of love and consciously accepting God’s Kingdom! We have every chance to build a world based on peace, justice as this old globe is well provided for, liveable , the desert as well , there is money , technology , knowledge for building a new world !Talking to people I saw that all were good willing from the greatest, richest people to the orphans living in the orphanages in Egypt , everybody is capable ready to decide by love ! However unfortunately during my journey -if I want to be honest-I have to admit , because thousands of signs show , that we are also facing a great question mark in the prophecy of today’s gospel as well :"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
Luke 21, 5-11
What is our duty ? It is very simple ! Our place is amidst the happy singing, dancing children surrounding our Lord ! I call upon you lovingly , I encourage you , come an loudly exclaim : Hosanna to You, the Son of David , happily singing, waving and call today’s chief priests, Herod -s , governors come as well and trustingly greet our Redeemer , who would like to free us from our selfishness, sins, burdens ! Christ does not want to rob us , oppress ,lord it over us , but He wants to free us , present us , with the dignity as children of God to lead us to the way of mercy love , unselfishness, goodness , wisdom for an open dialogue ! Lets inspire each other , lets present our lord Jesus Christ with a crown ! lets place the crown of our own freewill in front of Christ’s Christmas manger ! Let Christ be the King , let Him guide us by our conscience , since inside all of us in the inner sanctuary does heaven meet with earth ! God touches, calls us with infinite tenderness through our conscience ! This is where our decisions are made where tomorrow is born, if Jesus Christ will be the King here , then not Good Friday will dawn after Palm Sunday but a glorious Easter dawn !
Is this possible ? Having been in Egypt praying in the cave of Saint Anthony of the Desert , at the farewell of the Coptic Christian Martyrs , seeing and hearing the prayer said I feel that we are capable even seven billion of us to cross the ocean of hatred with dry feet and decide by the God of love !
I think with love of all those who welcomed me on my long journey , accompanied me , answered my questions , lovingly became my brethren!
With eternal gratitude,
Father Csaba .
translated by dr k.e.
Picture : A Coptic Martyr moments before his execution!
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,' and 'The time has come.'
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
Luke 21, 5-11
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……Tuesday 28 November 2017