Daily gospel

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel 14 January 2018 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

I admire that God builds His kingdom starting from scratch! He addresses a person here and there with trust -has a talk with them , out of the living stones together with the concrete of His love builds a vast church, Community , the Church . The Lord not only two thousand years ago but even today is working wonderfully ! During the past days I have been to Csinód , where a young couple are expecting their third child ! It is worthwhile watching the attached film ! Of course today’s man can see lots of emerging feelings, but in the life of Balázs and family this was not just a momentary event , since they have been going to the chapel daily and each time recite a long prayer ! It is wonderful there in the back of the Carpathian mountains , a hidden little village that one can only get to on a very difficult terrain by four-wheel-drive , a tractor , a well-educated young Protestant couple from the town settles there , build a chapel with their own hand , as a token of respect for the living God , in which they pray day after day! After many different prayers , in front of Mary’s statue they recite the Hail Mary, in close on ten different languages ! The whole family is there , the eldest son preparing for his matriculation  Gergő, and their pretty daughter named after the valley Uzonka and they are expecting their third child in the springtime ! 

I am standing in front of the chapel , its plans were prepared in watercolours by the local teacher , this received not only the blessing but also the permission of the archbishop of Transylvania and on top of it all he even consecrated it together with his assistant bishop Father Tamás József . 

I am standing silently and I bow my head in front of our God who keeps on building our world further, right in front of my eyes ! Here there are no miracles built out of expensive tenders , concrete covered squares out of huge amounts of money , here the ancient nature formed over centuries in its own simplicity is present, the snow is creaking under my steps , and from the infinite depths bursts the gratitude , the sincere prayer ! In the half-light the real nice face of the man living at peace with his Creator brightened!

Let God to address us , lets embark on the road as the sons of the twenty-first century in the footsteps of the apostles !

With sincere respect towards the men paying attention to God ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

John was standing with two of his disciples,

and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,

"Behold, the Lamb of God."

The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,

"What are you looking for?"

They said to him, "Rabbi" — which translated means Teacher —,

"where are you staying?"

He said to them, "Come, and you will see."

So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,

and they stayed with him that day.

It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,

was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.

He first found his own brother Simon and told him,

"We have found the Messiah" — which is translated Christ —.

Then he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said,

"You are Simon the son of John;

you will be called Cephas" — which is translated Peter.

John 1, 35-42

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Saturday 13 January 2018

"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes". Matthew 21, 42

We make judgements so easily and so many times our judgement is devastating : this child is not going to amount to anything! During the course of the last days two of our former students looked me up , who by now are vigorous young men.

They each have done well for themselves, they have good jobs and are ready to settle down , they give love and they also receive love , it was good to meet them ! They believe in God, in themselves , in life and I feel that anywhere in this world , any family would look up to them with joy and pride ! What is common in them, they both come from deep poverty , they both grew up in the homes of our foundation , and both of them brought a bottle of wine as a token of their gratitude and love !

Anybody can say anything, we have to put aside our prejudices and following the example of Jesus Christ , if need be we have to go to either the Levi of the XXI. century the sinners , we have to bend down to those as well , from whom the public opinion is not expecting much ! Man is not born as either this or that , man is like a stem cell , from which often influenced by either  unknown external or internal influences this or that kind of organ develops . A child or even an adult can become anything ! Because of Jesus’ love, trust  Levi became God’s saint by the side of Christ, a blessing for his people , for mankind !

How great it would be , if following the example of Jesus ,from the people around us we could bring out with love the decent , honest person , the saint who would continue to dream,  build the world further ! In reality the people who stos short on the way of sin, are our failures , because we were not by their side clever enough , wise , saints , we did did not stand by them with Christ’s love ! 

With love,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e. 

Picture : what will become of this child ??

Jesus went out along the sea.

All the crowd came to him and he taught them.

As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,

sitting at the customs post.

Jesus said to him, "Follow me."

And he got up and followed Jesus.

While he was at table in his house,

many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;

for there were many who followed him.

Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners

and tax collectors and said to his disciples,

"Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 

Jesus heard this and said to them,

"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Mark 2, 13-17

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel

 The sacrament of reconciliation !

Jesus is merciful He forgives our sins ! He not only teaches His disciples that the sinner should not be condemned , but even gives them the power , that the truly repentant sinner in the name of God should be forgiven,absolved!  Lets just keep in mind that even today according to many Jewish , Islamic theologians the ones who commit mortal sins , have to die and this is why in the Middle East even in our days people are stoned ! 

Our Lord Jesus Christ with a  merciful heart is a watershed in the life of mankind struggling in the world of sin ! He does not trivialise sin, He proclaims openly that the evil deeds committed knowingly and deliberately can kill the body and soul as well , but He also teaches that :"  “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”John 20, 19-24

The sacrament of reconciliation is Jesus Christ’s incredible gift ! Have I started the new year with the holy sacrament of reconciliation resulting in  a bodily, spiritual rebirth ?! God’s precious gift but I am the one deciding whether I  take advantage of it or not ! What do you have to do if you would like to be become free of your sins , if you would like to live the free, pure life as children of God ? 

The greats of the Church guide through the ones with a repentant spirit for a spiritual rebirth !

1. Examination of our conscience , sincerely facing up to facts! If we accuse ourselves Jesus Christ will be our advocate , however if we start explaining things and we do not condemn our sinful acts then God will condemn us! 2. Act of contrition: We have to become aware that how much damage pain , illness has the evil ,the sin caused our own or our loved ones’ lives ! Lets be filled with sincere sorrow for causing pain, damage either to others or myself!

3. Making firm vow, that I won’t sin anymore . Sin is a dead end street capable of killing my body and soul, causing pain , distress to my family, my people , causing damage and for this reason I decide that I’ll steer clear even from the opportunity of sin! 

4. Reconciliation ! I’ll look for a priest and I’ll confess my sins ! Humbly , frankly, without beating around the bush with a spiritual advisor my lesser , greater sins, all that is weighing on my mind !

5. Penance! Our Mother the Church does not give us punishment, but a balm in the penance, that you have to do in order of a successful reconciliation ! If you offended your parents pray for them and with a bunch of flowers,  by asking for forgiveness show your love towards them ! 

May God grant us that we can take advantage of His great gift and sincerely, with a pure heart , freely, without sin , loving one another , doing our work joyfully we live our everyday lives ! 

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,

it became known that he was at home.

Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,

not even around the door,

and he preached the word to them.

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,

they opened up the roof above him.

After they had broken through,

they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,

"Child, your sins are forgiven."

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,

"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.

Who but God alone can forgive sins?"

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what 

they were thinking to themselves, 

so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,

'Your sins are forgiven,'

or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?

But that you may know

that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"

–he said to the paralytic,

"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."

He rose, picked up his mat at once, 

and went away in the sight of everyone.

They were all astounded

and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this.”

Mark 2, 1-12

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 8 January 2018

‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’

Jesus Christ does not only call the apostles,“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”, but all people! Our Redeemer would like to get His life-giving message across to all people , the commandment of love !That is why He calls all of us with goodness, trust !

During the course of history very many people said  yes to the call of Christ and embarked on their own way of life, to bring heaven to earth with justice, goodness , beauty , love to sanctify themselves and the world ! Among Jesus’ apostles there are wise, smart powerful people similar to the king Szent László, but there are also very ordinary, poor, scorned people as well .The common denominator in them is that despite their own momentary interests they are always capable to keep the community goals, longterm interests in my mind . The saints , the apostles are not thinking in 4 year terms , they do not want to increase their own bank accounts only , but they would like to sanctify the world , make it more liveable , lead people into a more peaceful , calmer world , to the eternal life.

You can be an apostle as well , anybody can say yes to the call of Christ . I believe that there is no other more beautiful calling, profession here on earth. Lets quieten down in the first days of the new year and lets play with the thought “that I am an apostle of Christ.” There where I live a revolutionary of love , and taken in the proper context “ like a terrorist of love “! Lets be the sleeping agents of Christ , who quietly , wisely prepare with a good deed or more , something beautiful for  God and calmly , with an enduring determination carry it out !!

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e. 

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news* of God,* 15and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;* repent, and believe in the good news.’* 

16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen.17And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Mark 1, 14-20

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel  Saturday 6 January ..The Feast of the Epiphany.

In itself knowledge does not mean anything ! The question is that ,all that we know from the Holy Scriptures what do we use it for ?

Behold Herod's priest in his court know that they have to look in Bethlehem for the Redeemer , yet they do not get going to knock at the entrance of the cave in Bethlehem ! Upon their word Herod sends soldiers as well , but they are really disinterested to find out what they could find out from the Holy Scriptures !

Unfortunately it happens in the seminaries in the world , that even the ones teaching the Scriptures , openly admit that they don’t believe in God ! In itself  studying,knowledge does not lead to salvation! The big question is what do we do with the acquired truth ? Is our knowledge going to become living faith, will deeds be born from  it ? By the light of the recognised truth will I dare to embark on the way of love , onto the path of merciful deeds leading to eternal life ? From the acquired knowledge will there be wisdom meaning life, living faith building house, homeland , enduring work ?

Today we face Herod with his own priests belonging to his court and the wisemen of the Orient ….In the new year whose way will I embark on ? 

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Photo: The birthday of one of our little girls from Székelyhíd .

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Matthew 2, 1-12

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel ... Friday 5 January 2018

"Follow me.” 

Our Lord Jesus Christ started His public mission with a very clear purpose in mind , since He knows people are not bad , but they  have to be taught , encouraged, inform and motivate children and adults alike . Jesus Christ’s first pulpit, the family home Mary’s kitchen where He addresses John and Andrew for a whole life, He does not only make them His disciples but His apostles as well.

In today’s gospel as well all He says to Philip: "Follow me”. There is no smalltalk , no beating about the bush, Jesus is not analysing 2000 years ago the world’s distress and misery , the strange, sickly perversions of human nature , but with surgical precision ,determined , with incredibly quickly He gathers His 12 apostles , 72 disciples , the fisher’s of men and with a brave impulse , force He sends them :" As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. "Matthew 10, 7-10

I believe and profess , that if Jesus would have had another 100000 disciples , He would have told them the same , and would have sent them the same way because “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”I am convinced that at the start of 2018 Christ is saying us the same : Don’t be afraid people are not bad but ignorant . Every generation , and every member of that arrives with a clean slate to this earth. Your duty is to teach them  the commandment of love , to make them understand it is better to live in a loving environment, peacefully rather then looking for faults, sins in each other and to squabble. You have to teach your brethren and the generation coming after you that you reap what you sow , goodness produces goodness, mercy brings mercy, kindness produces kindness, peacefulness , a world that even I your Creator God have dreamt of and that we built together ! Lets follow in the footsteps of the apostles  Saint John, Saint Andrew, Saint Philip , and lets start proclaiming already from today , where we live , in our families , in our workplace, in our immediate surrounding, that life is beautiful , life is good, and it’s worthwhile to live !

With lots of love ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. 

And Jesus said to him, "Follow me." 

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. 

Philip found Nathanael and told him,

"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, 

and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth." 

But Nathanael said to him,

"Can anything good come from Nazareth?" 

Philip said to him, "Come and see." 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,

"Here is a true child of Israel. 

There is no duplicity in him." 

Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" 

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." 

Nathanael answered him,

"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." 

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Do you believe 

because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? 

You will see greater things than this." 

And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, 

you will see the sky opened and the angels of God 

ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

John 1, 43-51

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel  Thursday 4 January 2018

"So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.”John 1,35 

 Jesus is not wasting His time ! After His public appearance with Saint John the Baptist , straight away He invites two young men to His home . I like to imagine in my mind’s eye the small home in Nazareth , where Jesus introduces the future apostles John and Andrew to His mother Mary , and asks the Blessed Virgin to prepare them a nice dinner , while they drink a glass of wine . What a wonderful conversation must have taken place there by the flickering light ?! Jesus is not selling a pig in a poke , quite certainly He tells them frankly His intention : “ I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10, 10

Jesus quite certainly invites His first friends too, into this worldwide mission: come lets go to every village , town and teach people the commandment of love , lets explain it to them that it is much better to live in peace, love like good brethren then cheating, lying, stealing, to sully ourselves and the world with all sorts of foul , hideous sins! In the mean time the nice dinner is ready and the New Testament has been “signed” , God and man sat at the same table , and with a hopeful heart the world’s redemption gets on the way! What a wonderful evening it must have been , that changed so much the two young men’s life ! 

I never had the desire to be in the company of great historical figures , but if given the opportunity I would jump to it, that I also very humbly could sit at Mary’s table ! How wonderful it would be to drink a toast  with Jesus and the two future apostles , listen to the Master’s first speech then with a good appetite to taste the dinner prepared by Mary, Jesus’ mother !

It is quite certain that Jesus would not push me away , would not say stop eavesdropping , but would encourage me to post our conversation on Facebook so that people could join in , to spread the good news: God loves us and believes that we are capable of learning , to live together as good brethren lovingly , to solve our problems with patient , wise dialogue !

It is so simple , clear, everything is obvious , even just thinking about it here in this unpretentious small house in Nazareth , and in vain does 2000 year separate us from the dinner, in the breaking dawn I definitely know my duty ! Following the words of Jesus I get going in 2018 to many-many villages , towns just like  the apostles did earlier, to proclaim the only commandment that is capable of making our world a better place :"30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12, 30-31

With love ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Picture : Saint Francis was capable to tame even the wolf. 

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

John 1, 35-42

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Wednesday 3 January 2018

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'

I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel."

John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him.” John 1, 29

How beautifully , lovingly does Saint John the Baptist speak of Christ ! He points to Christ and respectfully , with kind words he exhorts us , to love and listen to Him ! Lets think how do I speak of Jesus, of God ? Do I scold my Creator, do I swear or do I speak respectfully , lovingly of Him ? I should also think how do I speak of the Holy Eucharist ?! Our father Saint Francis wrote lovingly admonitions to his beloved brethren , but to us his late-born sons as well ! It is worthwhile to consider the first chapter of this writing , in which he pointed to Christ present in the Holy Eucharist with equally such  love, respect as did Saint John the Baptist at the river Jordan to Him, the embodied love ,our Lord Jesus Christ:

In the name of the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit. To the respect of them are the words of admonitions  of our father Saint Francis worthy , that he addressed to all of his brethren.

I. THE BODY OF CHRIST

1. The Lord Jesus says to his disciples: I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me. 2. If you had known me, you would also have known my Father and from now on you will know him and have seen him. 3. Philip says to him: Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us. Jesus says to him: 4. Have I been with you for so long a time and you have not known me? Philip, whoever sees me, sees also my Father (Jn. 14:6-9). 5. Sacred Scripture says that the Father lives in inaccessible light (cf. 1 Tim. 6:16), and God is Spirit (Jn. 4:24) and, No one has ever seen God (Jn. 1:18). 6. Therefore he cannot be seen except in the Spirit since it is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh does not offer anything (Jn. 6:64). 7. But neither, inasmuch as he is equal to the Father, is the Son seen by anyone other than the Father [or] other than the Holy Spirit. 8. Therefore all those who saw the Lord Jesus according to [his] humanity and did not see and believe according to the Spirit and the Godhead that he is the true Son of God were condemned. 9. And now in the same way, all those who see the sacrament (of the body of Christ), which is sanctified by the words of the Lord upon the altar at the hands of the priest in the form of bread and wine, and who do not see and believe according to the Spirit and the Godhead that it is truly the most holy body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, are condemned. 10. [This] is attested by the Most High himself Who says: This is my body and the blood of my new testament [which will be poured out for many] (cf. Mk. 14:22, 24) 11. and he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life (cf. Jn. 6:55). 12. And so it is really the Spirit of the Lord, Who lives in his faithful, Who receives the most holy body and blood of the Lord. 13. All others who do not share in this same Spirit and who presume to receive him eat and drink judgment to themselves (cf. 1 Cor. 11:29). 14. Therefore, O sons of men, how long will you be hard of heart? (Ps. 4:3) 15. Why do you not recognize the truth and believe in the Son of God? (cf. Jn. 9:35) 16. See, daily he humbles himself (cf. Phil. 2:8) as when he came from the royal throne (Wis. 18:15) into the womb of the Virgin; 17. daily he comes to us in a humble form; 18. daily he comes down from the bosom of the Father (cf. Jn. 1:18) upon the altar in the hands of the priest. 19. And as he appeared to the holy apostles in true flesh, so now he reveals himself to us in the Sacred Bread. 20. And as they saw only his flesh by means of their bodily sight, yet believed him to be God as they contemplated him with the eyes of faith, 21. so, as we see bread and wine with [our] bodily eyes, we too are to see and firmly believe them to be his most holy body and blood living and true. 22. And in this way the Lord is always with his faithful, as he himself says: Behold I am with you even to the end of the world (cf. Mt. 28:20).

May God grant us that we think , speak of our Lord Jesus Christ coming among us , as well in the Holy Eucharist with the respect, , love of Saint John the Baptist !

With love

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

He is the one of whom I said,

'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me

because he existed before me.'

I did not know him,

but the reason why I came baptizing with water

was that he might be made known to Israel."

John testified further, saying,

"I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky

and remain upon him.

I did not know him,

but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,

'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,

he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God!"

John 1, 29-34

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…….Tuesday 2 January 2018

'Make straight the way of the Lord,’

I am looking at our mischief-maker children , it is so easy to find faults in one or another , generally the one making the judgement is also right , but the problem is that the work of the parents , carers is not panicking because of pits and the mountains , but straightening the path of the Lord ! One does not expect the road-builders to complain , have a nervous breakdown seeing one or more precipice or rock faces  , but to make that passable with a well built  bridge , tunnel , with some wise decision in the wildest mountain! A good doctor does not only diagnose a person admitted to hospital as being sick , but does everything to find out the cause and then with treatment and  medications to heal the person ! The doctor’s goal is that his patient recovers and happily , hale and hearty returns to his family !

Everybody wants to be happy , and for me as a pedagogue it’s not my duty to condemn my pupil , why in their own naiveness , simplicity, why they chose this or that way leading to happiness ! I have to realise I am the older , the wiser my task is that with a sound reasoning I can show the student in my charge a way that is better,  feasible , more within his reach and promises much more success , happiness than the way they embarked on !! Knowingly nobody means harm for themselves , let me be non-judgemental but wisely, patiently I should reason, inform and afterwards I should encourage, reassure him to follow his goal the one who sought my advice !!

To build a road across a mountain is not easy, to restore one’s health, to give back his life is not easy either, nobody said that to raise a child is simple or easy , but if I am sound myself as well, know the way leading to happiness then it is quite certain that I can show that humbly to the child knocking on our door as well !

Lead , raise your children with the determination of Saint John the Baptist !

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Photo : our children in the Boli cave !

This is the testimony of John. 

When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him

to ask him, "Who are you?"

He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,

"I am not the Christ." 

So they asked him,

"What are you then? Are you Elijah?" 

And he said, "I am not." 

"Are you the Prophet?"

He answered, "No." 

So they said to him,

"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? 

What do you have to say for yourself?"

He said:

"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,

'Make straight the way of the Lord,'

as Isaiah the prophet said." 

Some Pharisees were also sent. 

They asked him,

"Why then do you baptize

if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?" 

John answered them,

"I baptize with water;

but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,

the one who is coming after me,

whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." 

This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,

where John was baptising.

John 1, 19-28

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 1 January 2018 The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God 

"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Luke 2,16

Life is not a firework, the little Jesus was carried in His mother’s womb, and the baby was lovingly raised during the events of the coming years ! God’s love is urging us on, but we have no sense of urgency since our redemption will be fulfilled in that time ! We started a new year , the days are rolling by , the weeks and the way Mary could also understand Her Holy Son’s secret by thinking, reflecting , we can also grow up with the passage of time to our Creator God ! The new year, the “time”are our friends , our allies , God’s precious gifts , that give us an opportunity to mend our faults and to roam over the unknown white patches , secrets of our world , attentively discover our Creator’s gifts, and with determined persistence to conquer the goals of our earthly existence !The way the days are passing and our years are multiplying , it does not matter if we are getting on provided that the direction is right ! With the passing of each day , we get a step closer to heaven ! The way the soldiers are counting the remaining days and believe that after demobilisation the real life will come , we should also try to jog along like that in the passing time , collecting in our spiritual suitcases the lasting souvenirs of our earthly lives , the good, merciful deeds , the beautiful moments spent in worshipping our God !

2018-a new year! Have a good journey , I wish all our children, my colleagues, our allies a holy trip in love, in goodness according to the will of God ! 

Wishing you a blessed happy New year !

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,

and the infant lying in the manger.

When they saw this,

they made known the message 

that had been told them about this child.

All who heard it were amazed

by what had been told them by the shepherds.

And Mary kept all these things,

reflecting on them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all they had heard and seen, 

just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision,

he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel

before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2, 16-21