Daily gospel

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel  Tuesday 6 March 2018

Recently I spoke with a man who has diabetes , and the doctors want to amputate his leg ! He hesitated for a long time , finally he agreed crying, that his leg would be amputated from the middle of his thigh , since without the operation he would have died within a few weeks ! I was a witness to this man’s struggle ! He did not want to give up his aching, useless leg and I could deeply sympathise his wrestling with himself  ! I feel that we should also be attached in some ways, like him to each other since we belong , we are one ! It would be so easy to "amputate “ certain mischief-maker children , since they cause pain, bring shame upon us , they do not deserve the care , the work ! It is easy to get offended , to quarrel , turn away from the other but this is not what we learn from our Master !!

One can give up a child’s upbringing in two ways , the first one is if we push them out of our lives , push them away , if we quarrel with them , if we don’t forgive them , fortunately this does not happen often in our houses so I am not going to talk about this just here ! Opposite to a different type of quarrel, giving up on our companion , letting go is very frequent in our world and it’s scary unless we watch out it can raise its head like a virus in our houses too! 

Raising children has its problems , one would have a lot of explaining to do , talk with our children , but we rush about, we have no energy, patience again and again to explain to our child the consequences of one or another decision , the meaning and we rather give them money to look at their phones and do what they want! We give up our pedagogical principles , our notions, we let go of the steering wheel and let the children drift freely ! In one word we throw the minors at the mercy of their own unbridled desires, instincts , and let them lead their lives as they please !

I go around a lot and have been to many homes and I can see that in many places one cannot have a cup of tea or have a quiet discussion , because the family’s pet a dog or a cat knocks everything off , and one has to pay attention to them , take care of them ! Unfortunately in families like this, if there is a child at all , that child also does whatever he or she wants, there are no goals, plans , only vibrating, rummaging , wasted days, weeks , passing higgledy piggledy !

I ask the dear mothers , fathers in the quietness of Lent to sit down , create peace , tranquility in their heart and take count of their parental duties because sooner or later they’ll be called to account! Lets get going and if necessary with a contrite heart work out that pedagogical plan , based on which the mental, physical, spiritual lives of our children can unfold ! What will become of your child to a large extent depends on you ! A parent builds a church , a cathedral not a chicken coop , their children’s future is in their hand ! Just as a mother carries her child in her womb , the same way, anything may happen in a family we have to keep on carrying the child in the pure womb of our love , where the child can keep on growing , become smarter , can unfold the precious talents, good habits that God planted in them !

Did you get tired , do you see it as useless to bring to the surface one or another truth, reasoning ! Smiling you can let go, push away your child from yourself , but this means even if you are kind with them if you give them every possible things means the same as if you would have put them out of your house , since they are drifting freely in your presence !  I advise you that start anew seventy times  seven your work , be a father, a mother , a grandparent and with gentle goodness get going to complete your God given beautiful task !! Ask for wisdom from the Holy Spirit , strong spirituality , but do not look at your child as a stranger , who can do whatever he or she wants in your house  do not let go of the steering wheel neither  with angry shouting nor kindly resignation if you don’t want to see your child’s broken body , spirit !

With love,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e. 

Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Matthew 18:21-35

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 5 March 2018

I said mass in Székelyhíd in the icy cold church ..it is so good to hear today’s gospel stories : Naaman suffering from leprosy does not give up, looks for healing and finds it !! Behold even for Jesus not everything goes according to plan! In His own homeland after a sincere talk "They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off” Luke 4, 28

A wall , a setback is ahead of us, stops us on our way , forces us to the ground ! It is great to see that the Master does not stop he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.” Luke 4, 30 Why is everything so complicated , so hard ? Jesus here does not pay attention to the “whys” simply He goes on ! He goes and carries out His task , as though nothing has happened !!

How much do setbacks make us come to a standstill ?! Do they put me off , do I loose my hope, my trust from my work , plans ? Am I capable to stand up , start anew ?! Am I a disposable worthless paper cup ? How many lives, heads do I have??

I don’t give up !! Lent is about starting anew ! Lets ask through the intercession of Naaman from the old testament , from our Lord Jesus Christ strength, courage to start anew , to get back on our feet , to the successful completion of our tasks !! 

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Picture : the girls from Szentsimon even in the cold weather go to church smiling ! 

And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Luke 4:24-30

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel 3rd Sunday of Lent 4 March 2018

‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ John 2, 13

There are many coldblooded Christians ! Lets not turn on others , but first of all I should cleanse my own body , the temple of the Holy Spirit ! If Jesus would enter into my heart today what would He find there ? Are faults, transgression , sins that live in me ? Whether do I dare , can I by repentance willingly  make a whip and cleanse my own heart , spirit ?

Secondly should not I put my own house in order ?! Are my dearly beloved ones living in peace, harmony, whether their only lives are not sullied by some sort of bad habits, sinful omission , liaison ? Lets not live together with the evil one ! Lets not regard it as acceptable , either in my own, or my family’s life to let sin set up home !Lets cleanse my own sanctuary and lets decorate it by beautiful virtues !

Naturally I would like to cleanse people’s temple as well ! Now before the election , I would like to sweep out the sin of discord, dissension before anything else !!! The lust for power , the divisions arising from greed from my people’s lives , that discord , which is not about standing up for a set of values , but only that someone wants to rule even if it has been proven that they are unsuitable for the post ! Not the person has to be banished but the spirit of dividedness from mankind !!!Lets not kick over the lego put together by others , but lets make my own mark, my productive principals, ideas present them to the public , so through me the world, the big family of the Carpathian basin will be more, more beautiful, more precious ! 

I would sweep out the spirit of betrayal from the temple of my people , also that certain people not out of conviction , but out of a thirst for power , because of  their momentary financial gain stand behind one or more causes ! 

Last spring I was at the border of Nineveh where the battle of the big city of the two million people was still going on ! I can still see even now the smoke that painted the magnificent blue eastern sky black , at  many points in this big city set ablaze ! In the summer of 2015, 1500 ranting young people appeared dressed in black, started whizzing past in white Toyota jeeps . Who gave them the cars, the weapons into their hands is not known, but within hours hundreds of thousands young people filled the streets, the ruling powers fled and the “revelry” started, the "glorious “ fighters ransacked the houses , the shops , and the state of Islam was born ! What has become of it ? The revolution devoured its sons ! I saw the mass graves they are in the vicinity of the freed cities, villages borders , in their parks, in their football fields , where the victims of this dissension have been buried ! One irresponsible political adventure set the whole city , the country back into the middle ages !

I am praying for my people to be wise and support a political system  that builds, gives peace, unity , will protect together with their citizens the values, and the borders !

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ The Jews then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

John 2:13-25

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Saturday 3 March 2018

"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  Luke 15,1-the pharisees were saying of Jesus .

This behaviour of the pharisees is frightening ! Unfortunately I heard it many times , how can I possibly speak to this or that person , because they are beyond redemption or they are not worth the attention , the care ,another chance !! It would be very important for us to understand that our love, care is not a reward , not a prize for a champion but medicine ! Love not only has to be given to people who deserve it but to the one who needs it !! The farmer wisely puts manure into that soil that does not yield a produce , with sweaty labour digs value into his soil, and hopes that his effort, work will yield its fruit !! 

Jesus’ love , goodness saves even the man crucified next to him from damnation,  even though this man with his own words admitted that he well deserved it ! For this reason following the example of our Master , where there are problems , worries in a family , in the lives of our children lets hurry there with blasting sirens carrying the miraculous remedies with trust, love , mercy  and save the lives !!

With love ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them Jesus addressed this parable. "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’"

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them Jesus addressed this parable. "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’"

Luke 15, 1-3, 11-32

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….Thursday 1 March 2018

Sooner or later everything ends, not only the lives of the immensity rich , but Lazarus’ life is finite as well ! On this beautiful snowy day lets also think about , that not only life is finite but the freshly fallen snow will also melt , since it is March already ! That is why today instead of a long reflection I encourage everybody to take their child, grandchild and go tobogganing! Today you can still do it , use the snow given time of grace as far as tobogganing is concerned !! To set you in the mood I am sending you a few photos !!

Fathers, mothers, grandparents with your children go to the snow-covered hills , and there either on top or underneath the toboggan lets reflect on life’s bustling craftiness, profound truths !

With love,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

Jesus said to the Pharisees, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house -- for I have five brothers -- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Luke 16:19-31

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Wednesday 28 February 2018

Who is the greater, the more important among us!? 

Ambition, jealousy  are one of the more serious cankers of our societies ! In one of our child protection homes the children coming home from school ran with great joy to a kind , young new carer  and then went to the person in charge of the house with equal enthusiasm . Kisses were exchanged but I could see that the evil spirit of jealousy became embodied in the house ! Soon such tensions developed between the colleagues that I could bot solve ! What’s at the bottom of one or more decisions is hard to say , but it is certain that ambition and any injury in this gives rise to jealousy , rage in a lot of people  . Jesus knows a way out of this sticky labyrinth :

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

In today’s world many want to become “great” by proving to others living around them that they are all like “dwarfs”,unfortunate , idiots ! Unfortunately many times we do everything possible so that our colleagues really become like that , to even appear as such , because we believe that by doing this we become irreplaceable giants, wonderful people ! Even though this is simply not the case , according the the logic of Jesus ,we’ll only become a valuable , grownup Christians , if the ones living in our vicinity also become saints , if they can also grow up by our side , that they can work by themselves , successfully , and their greatness is capable of making us great as well , to sanctify us ! 

This is why consciously we should want to be lesser brothers , may it give us joy to raise each other high ! As in all good teams lets help one another to score a goal , to score !

I have to know that our children or the success of my colleagues working as  part of a  team is our success! Their good deeds, the successes achieved by them , all of these raise me as the head of the family high , make me into a happy father , the trustworthy servant of Christ ! 

We were invited for serving love , let this be the goal in our lives !

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised." Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?'' They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:17-28

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…Tuesday 27 February 2018

"The greatest among you will be your servant. “Matthew 23, 12

There are so many “greater brothers” who like to freely give their opinion," you should not have left in such a weather" ! They maybe right too, but what we really need is someone , who wisely , lovingly, humbly helps to shovel away the snow , opening a path in front of our snow-covered car !!It is exciting to stand by your brother , take hold of his hand and paying attention kindheartedly , consciously finding out all his real, deep thoughts , even those that he himself cannot or dares not to admit to himself , and kindheartedly , wisely start working on it so that his dream may come true !! Paying attention to our father Saint Francis initially I was a bit reluctant to assign myself the least role but slowly I discovered that it is wonderful to be a lesser brother , and walk on the shining path of Christ !!

To sit at the head of the table means that you take care of the youngest member of your household as well, you notice that his shoes are torn, if he is sad, if your eyes are also irritated by the smoke of the cigarette of the cigarettes smoked nonchalantly by your teenager !! You try and find a remedy ,a solution wisely , patiently , without judgement , without giving orders, but following the example of the redeeming Christ you take upon yourself everybody’s problems ! 

Dare willingly to be a lesser brother to your loved ones , believe in the world-forming power of love , and set out in the land of miracles following in the footsteps of your God !! I encourage you lovingly , become a lesser brother, you don’t have to be come either a friar, nor a priest , you don’t have to give up your family , there where you live start it, get going , accept that in your community , you are the serving brother of all noticing and solving their problems !

I am your partner in your service ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father - the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."

Matthew 23:1-12

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 26 February 2018

“give... a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over….”Luke 6, 37

Yours is what you generously give to others!! What you have ,valuable seeds , that what you foolishly, skimping , scrape together , over the years will dry out and become a waste !! Lets dare to be generous , lets dare to share happily all that , what we have , what God generously gave us !! The way a tree without thinking gives us its precious fruit , the same way for us our duty is that we produce and let go without a thought our yield!! The material goods planted lovingly by our hands , if they fall into a well prepared soil then it will bring a yield a hundred, thousand fold , making us rich !! Produce, create and pass on the fruit of your labour with love don’t hang onto it!

Praying for the grace of generosity ,

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Photo : Children accepted in the name of God ! 

Jesus said to the disciples, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

Luke 6:36-38

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…25 February 2018 -Second Sunday of Lent 

“This is my Son, whom I love... !” Mark 9,5

Our world emotionally started becoming like a desert , pure emotions are becoming rarer , and if by any chance it flares up in our heart then we try to silence it, to smother it and if this does not work then we try to conceal it and not to show it !

It is good to see that our Heavenly Father is not a cold force , not a logically organising law, but a feeling, loving , kind-hearted Creator capable of showing His love! Jesus also often spends  entire nights in worshipping the Heavenly Father and it’s good to see that this devoted love is mutual. The Holy Trinity is not inviting us to a big heavenly voluntary cooperative work but into a fraternity of love, where the greatest need is not for our work but that freely lead by our own inner decision we willingly become part of this Trinitarian community of love and we immerse ourselves  in this infinite blazing ocean !

How much love is there in my heart towards my Lord God, am I able to show it , do I dare to put into words my gratitude , devotion , love towards Jesus Christ ? 

Let me try it today also with the spirituality of my Heavenly Father to express my gratitude, devotion, living love towards my Redeemer !

With love towards God ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

The Transfiguration

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud:“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

Mark 9, 2-10

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Friday 23 February 2018

"Our Lord Jesus Christ’s “work” , and for sure is a “beautiful” work-according to the wise teaching of Pope Francis-is to lead us to reconciliation . Our God forgives all kinds of sins . In fact He not only forgives always, but rejoices , when somebody asks for His forgiveness , and forgets everything .” 

Jesus Christ’s “task” is the proclamation and realisation of reconciliation ! Our Redeemer in fact during His entire earthly life never turns away sulking, never gets offended, never pushes anybody away from Himself angrily , even Judas, who betrays Him in their last conversation on the Mount of Olives , calls him His friend , even there He does not say a bad word against him, because Jesus Himself is the peace, He is the herald of peace! 

During the quietness of Lent , lets think about , just how much is this beautiful feature of Jesus shining there on my face as well!! We were all born in the image and likeness of God , Jesus’ work is my work as well , whether am I ready , capable to be the carrier of peace in my own world? Let us pray together with Saint Francis :

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me bring love.

Where there is offense, let me bring pardon.

Where there is discord, let me bring union.

Where there is error, let me bring truth.

Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.

Where there is despair, let me bring hope.

Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.

Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 5:20-26