Daily gospel

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Tuesday 4 December 2018

"At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit... “ 

I arrived home to Déva from my missionary tour in Australia at 5 a.m. this morning . Before going to sleep I read today’s gospel . Even feeling sleepy it was good to read the beautiful story : as Jesus receives His 72 disciples returning from their missionary tour. Two thousand years ago these simple fishermen, shepherds , craftsmen , upon Jesus’ word set out as the first ones in the big, wide work for the benefit of their brethren . They carried no gold, silver in their satchels , but knocked on doors with a good word, love and together with the blessed “message” of the gospel they were welcomed everywhere with joy , love . Upon their words the sick were healed , the sinners repented , the world became better , cleaner , more beautiful. I tried to imagine as the disciples were sitting there around in a circle and excitedly , joyfully talk interrupting each other ! Jesus listening to them , smiling, with His face shining then stands up , everybody becomes silent listening to Him, and the Master rejoices , blesses the Heavenly Father for seeing fit to reveal to the “little ones “ the great secret : that it is good to be good , that with goodness , love people , the whole world can be made better . 

My thanks and gratitude to God for everything !! Upon my Master’s word I did not take with me neither silver nor gold  , or expensive presents , but with the Franciscan simplicity , poverty, with good word, love  in my backpack I set out on the journey ! The journey was long, I got tired , but now sitting in my room in the first light of the breaking dawn I discussed with my Master the long journey's many-many wonderful moments . I told my Lord that in His name even in far away land people gathered and accepted His teaching with prayerful love . I also recalled that even though seemingly, in the big , wide world everybody is chasing after money , I experienced that it is not the money, material goods that are lacking , because people are not really thirsting after the sparkling, shining material goods , but the way I saw it people are mostly desiring mountain-moving faith , hope that will make them ready to act, love that will inflame their hearts . 

I gave thanks with prayerful love for the many good people as well with whom I met in Australia , who undertook long journeys not only came so we could pray together, but also shared their homes  food, clothing , provided transport by car so that by planes , according to the plans I could get everywhere on time. ! During the tree weeks like this -with help- I travelled over an area larger than the whole of Europe ! Thanks to the good organisation , I can say , that I managed to visit most of the areas in Australia, where roughly 80-90000 Hungarians live , and I could meet those who came ! I also gave thanks for the two angels whom Providence gave me on this journey , Kalotay Eszter and Juhász Boglárka , who not only accompanied me , but organised everything well ahead of time by phone, via the internet with all concerned and thanks to this everything went really very well . My gratitude to them for everything !

I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ listened joyfully to yet another missionary tour over the past 2000 years ! I believe that even today He rejoices when He sees that His children gather as good sisters and brothers , in peace and love , and in the light of the Holy Gospel preparing for the feast of Christmas rethink/plan their lives ! We are small, weak , but what we could do humbly we did as well ! I wish all those, to whom Providence lead us , a further blessed, holy time of Advent from our Master , praising my God I retire to a well-earned rest ! 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

My gratitude for everything ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e. 

Photo: I rested with my companions on this mission , Eszter and Boglárka in Queensland , in the Marian Valley . 

At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.'

Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, 'Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.'

Luke 10:21-24