Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel 13 December 2018….The feast of Saint Lucy Virgin and Martyr.
"the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11, 11
Jesus is talking about violence but quite certainly not about terrorism and explosions , but about that violence, self-torture that Saint John the Baptist is using against himself ! It would have been more pleasant for John to be living in e town , wear nice clothes , eat nice food , but he made sacrifices for the Kingdom of God and lives in the desert, wears coarse clothing , and eats very simple food ! Advent is not just the time of waiting , but the time of the holy fast sanctified by the Church !
Fasting, self-denial , sacrifice have I thought about these expressions ? Do I accept knowingly sacrifices for my loved ones, for myself, for the coming of God’s Kingdom? The consumer society cannot even imagine , that we accept self-denial , as this would mean the weakening, recession of our society built on the circulation of money ! The man of today does not know what to do with the concept of self-denial , even though we should no that without sacrifices there is no result ! How many sacrifices have to be made by a medical student, or a sportsman for their goal ! I wonder why for other intentions one does not have to make , or it’s no good to make sacrifices ?!
Jesus stands Saint John the Baptist as an example in front of us ! This means that in our choice of clothes , consuming food , but even in the fittings, accessories of our home it would be good consciously to restrain ourselves , especially now during the holy time of Advent ! Lets try out the character forming power of body , soul ,character , fasting, , vigil ,self-denial out of love making a conscious decision ! Interestingly enough the experts of this world are advocating fasting for health reasons !
The road leading to happiness : lets be gentle, kindhearted towards our brethren and very determined , aggressive towards ourselves and then we will reach our goal !
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture : Saint Lucy
Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!'
Matthew 11:11-15
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel 13 December 2018….The feast of Saint Lucy Virgin and Martyr.