Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel 14 February 2018 Ash Wednesday
The famous actor Arnold Schwarzenegger , sleeps in the street , under his famous bronze statue and writes sadly : “the times are changing….”When he was the Governor of California a hotel had a statue made in his honour . The hotel’s owner said to Arnold : “you can come at any time , there will always be a room for you .”When no longer the governor he went to the hotel to stay there, but it turned out that he had to pay for his accomodation. There on the ground in front of his statue he said : “lets not trust neither in position, nor money or power because it’s not going to last long ! When you are “important”everybody is your “friend” .But when you are no longer important then you don’t count anymore !”
How great it is to know that with God there is no first or last guest , since for Him even the least is important , the lost, the hundredth the dearest ! How good it would be if on our faces as well these beautiful features of God would shine and if we would not be preoccupied by people’s qualities , but our brother’s immortal soul .
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
'And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel 14 February 2018 Ash Wednesday