Daily gospel

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Wednesday 4 July 2018

"two demoniacs …”Matthew 8, 28

In the XI century can we talk of evil spirit, the devil !?

It cannot be a partially true , partially false Christian teaching ! Either as a true teaching I accept the gospel , or like a fairy tale I refuse it !Christ for me is the Son of God I regard His teaching as a revelation and profess it as true! I believe in the community of love of the Holy Trinity, I believe that the One who Created my tongue, gave me my hear is capable to hear my plea and capable to speak to me! I believe that Jesus Christ did  speak to us , and His teaching are authentic in the gospels! Jesus often speaks about the devil in His speeches , that is why I believe that the fallen angel exists, and the purely spiritual being trying to tempt us to evil about whom the gospel speaks like this: "8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith..” 1 Peter 5,8-9

With love ,

Father Csaba 

When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, 'What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?' Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, 'If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.' And he said to them, 'Go!' So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighbourhood.

Matthew 8:28-34

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Tuesday 3 June 2018 The Feast of Saint Thomas the apostle.

They are harvesting the bread of the Hungarians ! The blessed mother earth has taken in the seed and again gives us  the gift of our everyday bread ! God multiplies the bread in front of our eyes , feeds close on eight billion people from the crop out of mud, sunshine , gentle spring rain ! I pulled myself up onto one of the modern combine harvester ! Another miracle , that the resourceful man created from the metal brought up from depth of the earth , many -many small screws , the puzzle is put together , it gets going and places bread on the table of the starving man !

With my fingers I touched the loose, precious mother earth , the ear, the grains of wheat and the combine , the clever strong machine , that the man dreamt of and called into existence by the wisdom given by God ! I touched then I squeezed the farmer’s strong hand that shares the precious crop with the hungry ! I touched , then in spirit getting down on my knees , professing my faith , with Thomas touching the wounds of Christ  I profess : “ My Lord , my God !”

With love,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

John 20:24-29

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…..2 July 2018  The Visitation..

Jesus told and showed us everything , but one thing even He could not teach us and that , how a mortal born out of a handful of dust , how is it possible and how do we have to follow Him ?! 

How can one as a human being  truly live up to the doctrine brought to earth by the Holy Son of God ? Since the first centuries Christians regarded, that Mary is the most authentic Christian, from the example of Her life , what does it mean to live together with the living God !

On this beautiful feast may the blessed Virgin Mother be our master, teacher , example . We could learn a lot from Mary , but on the feast of the Visitation when we remember Mary’s visit to Elizabeth , lets try just to analyse three thoughts.

1. Mary embarks on the way of serving love . Her elderly relative , Elizabeth is expecting a child , and Mary sets out to help , serve her pregnant relative. For three long months she puts aside her own problems, worries , she serve, ,helps , loves . She does not just go for a couple hours a day to Elizabeth but actually she moves in with her . Jesus Christ did not only come for a couple of hours among us from the kingdom of heaven but becomes man , lives ,resides, works with us. There are so many superficial relationships , we smile at each other , ask the other how they are and we move on already. Jesus and following His example Mary, the saints also , become parts of the lives of people in trouble . This is why we also move in with the orphaned children . We make the part of our family , and their good and bad habits become part of our lives.  

2. Mary walks into the life of Elizabeth happily singing the Magnificat , and Elisabeth joyfully rejoices. Jesus’ birth , His appearance in the world is glad tidings , the gospel ! His coming just as Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is a source of hope and joy . How great it would be if my appearance , my meetings with my brethren would be the source of joy, hope ! How good it would be if my presence like a nice scent would permeate my brethren's everyday lives .

3. Mary did not go alone to Elizabeth since she is carrying her gentle unborn child Jesus Christ . Mary walks her way in life in the presence of God . Mary not only rejoices in seeing Mary, but also to the divine presence carried by her . How good it would be , that where we appear, the Holy Spirit would also be there with His blessings, graces , calm peace . Jesus Christ’s promise encourage me since He said it :”That wherever two or three gather in my name , I am there amongst them .” Lets live in such a way that among us, in us , with us our Lord Jesus Christ may also be ! Our meeting for our fellow human beings , just as the visit of Mary for Elizabeth , should be a source of grace, an encounter with God .

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.'

And Mary said,

'My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.'

And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.

Luke 1:39-56

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Wednesday 27 June 2018 The Feast of the king Saint László.

Pope Francis in Rome was talking about God not condemning the Jewish people who degenerated into slavery , but first saved them , then lead them out of the land of slavery , gave them the gift of freedom, life , in one word loved them and only after this did He call them to the Mount of Horeb , so He can compose His expectations and give them the ten commandments ! God is kind-hearted who even loved His children when they knew nothing about the commandments yet , when they were not worthy for attention!

Saint László received a country that was torn apart , wounded by a civil war and he started loving, serving his people , and under the rule of the holy crown the country became great , sanctified !

Is our love unconditional ? Or do I stipulate certain conditions for my kindness towards my brethren! Love is not a reward , but a medication ! We should not judge the children, our surrounding ,the world , but we should love everything and everybody ! We have to believe that our love , like the good seed falling into the ground , will bring a crop that is a hundredfold , makes our brethren free , sanctifies them!

With love,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Matthew 22:34-40

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Sunday 24 June 2018..The birth of Saint John the Baptist.

It is good to see that in reality everything starts with the birth of a child ! Some people said yes for life, accepting a child , a baby is born , and the course of world history takes a different direction ! How is a handful of dust capable of  setting in motion the wheel of life in this or that direction? I have been raising children for many years now but never did I feel even for a moment that there is a single life that I would be entitled to form, mould freely ! Every child is a miracle, an independent life ! Naturally I have to give count as a parent, or carer what I did , what I missed out on, but for the last  judgement I still cannot stand in place of anybody in front of God ! All of us who were born into this world we have to give count from our own making good of what we were given , because every life , is a force carrying huge mountains  independent and free ! 

How much energy is in one single man ? The energy is equal to the square of mass and the speed of light . Every single child  is a frighteningly destructive or constructive force !” Jesus declared in such a way about John the Baptist 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11,11.

What do you use this frightening force  for that is in you !?

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Picture : Girl high up, from our house in Nagyszalonta , whom we have been raising for a decade. 

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "No; he is to be called John." They said to her, "None of your relatives has this name." Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

Luke 1:57-66, 80

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Saturday 23 June 2018

"But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 'So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Matthew 6:24-34

It’s easy to get lost, go mad in the trifles of the everyday ! What will we eat, what will we drink, what will be paying out our electricity and gas bills from ?! What will happen when we get old, if we become sick , if people will think this or that about us ! If we get bogged down at this level then the list of the if..if..when.. will be never ending ! I suppose the evil spirit could also be called if..if..when .. , because by these real, true problems it tries to pull us down , mingle us with the mud of the world ! The evil one once to convince us not to raise our heads, not to open our wings , not to soar high to our God to the kingdom of heaven's eternal values , but that we get lost in the worries, problems of our everyday existence, in the superficial concerns of our daily life and the perception of others ! 

Jesus’ beautiful words always encourage me to dare and embark on the way of love , to dare and dream big, to weave dreams and open up with trust towards my fellow human beings ! Over long years I experienced that Jesus Christ is not only the Son of the living God , but a good friend as well , on whom we can always count on , who kind-heartedly always fulfils what He promised in the gospel! This is why I encourage you that during the summer vacations , holidays lets dare to quieten down , wisely thinking dare to make those changes, decisions in our careers that will make us  the brethren of our fellow human beings and at the same time will turn our faces thirsting for love towards our creator God !

With love,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

Picture : The children of Fatima on their way to meet with Mary, the messenger of God .  

'No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?" For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 'So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:24-34

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel  Thursday 21 June 2018

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Book of Revelation 3,20

I don’t believe in such a God who is very complicated , who hides His secrets so deep, that only few can access them ! I believe in such a God , who prepares the nourishment necessary for our existence , as a good mother and with gentle love places it on his child’s table and patiently encourages, coaxes him to take the nourishment that means life for them ! The spiritual life , the prayer , the reflection , the meditations are not something complicated , hard to comprehend that can only be practiced in secret in caves , monasteries but something that is an easily  attainable marvellous world , into which from anywhere, at any time , anybody removing their sandals can step into ! 

Jesus teaches His friends to pray ! It is good to pray ! I also encourage you , that come and lets discover through prayer God’s wonderful world ! It is hard to imagine , yet I bravely proclaim it, that by your faith’ two powerless arms you can embrace your Creator ! Do it now , you only just have to will it ! Your decisions can be executed by your will, open your heart wide towards your God, and He who even knows the quivering of your will , will understand your awkward , stumbling intention! Prayer is a real dimension of the existence , into which anybody can step into , and something that quite certainly will change everybody’s life ! In the quietness of the vacation open wide the door of your heart , address your Creator and He will step into the sanctuary of your heart ! 

With love ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Picture : the young Saint László is praying. 

Jesus said, "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 'Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Matthew 6:7-15

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….Tuesday 19 June 2018

" Love your enemies….” Matthew 5, 43

People are neither good nor bad , but most often they resemble drifting leaves ! We are just like a stone , in the sunlight we become hot, but in the dark night we slowly get cool , become icy!  Jesus confronts Saul still soaked by the blood of Saint Stephen  , starts a dialogue with the man who wants more , better things , and makes him see the light that true happiness exists in mercy and love, wise kind-heartedness ! Saul thus becomes Saint Paul , the stone discarded becomes the corner stone , the “enemy” writes Jesus’ wonderful profession of faith , the “ Ode of Love !”

Your biggest enemy is loneliness, being alone without a companion ! That person whom you regard your “enemy”, in truth is an answer to your problem , to your solitude since if you tame that person , as the little prince did the fox , then you’ll find a companion, with whom together you can wander God’s beautiful world , together with him side by side you can build the kingdom of heaven !

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e. 

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 18 June 2018

"Do not resist an evildoer. “….Matthew 5, 38

I am very grateful to Christ, because I do not have enlist, I don’t have to fight , I don’t have to conquer anybody , annihilate by force , trick, intrigue to destroy ! Yes , we do not have to conquer people who think differently, but with love, goodness, patience we have to convince them that it is much better to live as good brethren in peace , harmony , then hate, be angry , to be in enmity !It is better to be good for all of us than evil ! Jesus Christ is not only encouraging that we walk on the way of love , but He himself walked on this path ! His example , teaching , is a shining torch, a compass for us ! Well-well two thousand years later in every country of the world the Christian churches, sanctuaries are standing , and even if stumbling , but in the greatest Church several hundred million people are following the crucified, but risen Christ !

This is our way , this road can be travelled on !

With love ,

Father Csaba

translated dr e.k.

Jesus said to the crowds, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you."

Matthew 5:38-42

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…. 17 June 2018 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary time

“This is how it is with the kingdom of God;

it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land

and would sleep and rise night and day

and through it all the seed would sprout and grow,

he knows not how.” Mark 4, 26

Life lives and wants to live , blossom out ! Yesterday I met with the “santas” in a garden in Dunaföldvár , where there over five hectares a beautiful plantation of cherry trees is pouring out the tasty fruit . They showed me the pictures taken a few moths ago just how much blossom was on these trees , and how spectacular was this cherry orchard over the five hectares dressed from top to toe in blossoms in the spring murmur ! Out of these countless  beautiful flowers by today approximately 20 % has become crisp , beautiful cherries approximately 30-34 mm in diameter ! The trees are laden with ripe fruit ! I was looking at the garden and thought that close on 80% of the sea of flowers has been lost ! We could get bogged down just how much was lost of the flowers , but life here is not about the losers but the crisp cherries …According to the experts this is right as the trees could not carry more fruit and ripen them !

God gives us with  a full, overabundant measure tumbling into our laps! We are watching the world championships and we can see that even the best teams cannot score a goal at every attempt ! They are covered in sweat , but they don’t give up , they fight long and hard the whole of the match, and they are happy if they are successful in 2-3 runs of the game, the rest is the fallen down petal , the unripened , sweat fallen on the ground ! I also think that we should not be afraid either from the fallen down petals , the setbacks , we also have to accept many times the sweating without scoring a point as well ! 

God is great and wise , I believe that His wonderful Kingdom, the world of love and peace is approaching , and will come as the dawn ! Looking at the past school year at some length I can see that here and there in our gardens the beautiful hope brought into blossom many flowers of dream , with wise plans , useful , precious plans, ideas at the beginning of the school year and what became of it ? During the first days everybody should take into account the results of the 2017-2018 school year !! How many fruitless , petals fallen to the ground , and how many ripe, beautiful, healthy fruit ? ! Whether us people do we make our dreams come true into a valuable produce than the cherry tree ? If after a victorious  match , do we spend our times by crying over what we missed out on, or  are we rather rejoicing because of the 2-3 goals , that will determine our tomorrows ?!

On the first day of the vacation , In Dunaföldvár , it was good reconciling , calming down in God’s will walking among the branches laden  full with fruit , and managing to taste the trees precious gifts , keeping in mind that “tasty” miracle of the ripe cherry borne out of the little flower !

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Jesus said to the crowds:

“This is how it is with the kingdom of God;

it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land

and would sleep and rise night and day

and through it all the seed would sprout and grow,

he knows not how.

Of its own accord the land yields fruit,

first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,

for the harvest has come.”

He said,

“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God,

or what parable can we use for it?

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,

is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants

and puts forth large branches,

so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

With many such parables

he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.

Without parables he did not speak to them,

but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Mark 4, 26-34