Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…. The feast of Saint Cecilia Virgin and Martyr….
The Master does not ask His servants what they ate , how do you feel, did you sleep well or what sort of films did you see , but He asks whether you made good use of your talents, “invest them wisely “ or not ? Day after day lets ask ourselves what was the use or the fruit of your day today ? Did God’s Kingdom become more beautiful , built further due to my effort ?! In itself the fact that we are , we are sustaining ourselves , beautifying our homes in itself is not enough !Slowly we are getting to the end of the Church’s year , humbly lets take stock of what we were left with since last Advent , if the Lord would call us to Himself what could we show Him ? In 10-100 years’ time could our grandchildren remember a thought , or anything that would make them remember us fondly ? ? If we enter the Kingdom of Heaven is there anybody who would welcome us with a heart filled with gratitude ??
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture of Saint Elizabeth in the Catholic presbytery in Toronto.
While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.
So he said,
"A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.'
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
'We do not want this man to be our king.'
But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.
The first came forward and said,
'Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.'
He replied, 'Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.'
Then the second came and reported,
'Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.'
And to this servant too he said,
'You, take charge of five cities.'
Then the other servant came and said,
'Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.'
He said to him,
'With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?
Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.'
And to those standing by he said,
'Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.'
But they said to him,
'Sir, he has ten gold coins.'
He replied, 'I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.'"
After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
Luke 19, 11-28
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……Tuesday 21 November 2017
I ask you gently ! It is amazing to see , how bravely our Lord Jesus Christ is trusting people! He goes to them and trustingly calls them : Get up and walk ! Come leave your nets behind , become a fisher of men! In today’s gospel He addresses Zacchaeus :"Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”It is marvellous Zacchaeus climbs down the tree and invites Jesus for dinner. I believe the Jesus did not chide, did not pick at or put Zaccheaus to shame at this dinner, but kindly loving him sow the seed of trust and the lord of the house in front of his family stood up and announced :"“Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything,I will pay back four times the amount.”
Many times even if with uncertain steps , but I embarked on the way of Jesus Christ , that is proven by my faithful colleagues and the “army” of children that this a road that is possible to take ! One can be addressed humbly and tends to listen !Over ten years ago they brought a sweet little girl to us. We were having lunch and the tiny 4 year old was just crouching in front of the delicious broth ! Everybody was eating heartily , just the new little girl was looking sadly at the nice lunch ! I asked her are you not hungry ? I am hungry came the reply ! But the why are you not eating I asked curiously ? She looked at me with her big eyes and all she said was : because nobody is encouraging me ! I gave her a cuddle, kissed her and upon my encouragement she started eating heartily the nice meal !
Ye my Brother ! Lets dare to encourage , reassure each other to goodness and beauty , to do the wish of God , that means life ! At the bottom of our hearts we are all wishing for a sensible, pure life that bears fruit , lets dare to encourage each other with goodness, trust , reassurance , noble, intelligent , beautiful tasks that move our world forward ! Many times we are just waiting for the opportunity and given a chance the we can also be very clever ! Lets trust in each other , your brother is moved by the same spirit as you are , dare to address them, dare to encourage them , so he can also open his wings and soar high together with you ! Come lets start love’s unstoppable chain reaction lets fill our world passionately with love !
Jesus’ way can be embarked upon, come lets do it !
With trust ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture: When I was in Canada 12 years ago I invited the then 6 years old Rebecca . The years passed , and the seed dormant in the soil , and sprouted in the seventeen years old girl , she set out and came to Transylvania and for 6 months she worked as a very caring, loving carer in our home in Nagyszalonta . It is worthwhile to reach out to others !!
19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything,I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke, 19, 1-10
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 20 October 2017
We think of ourselves that we can see and indeed we take delight in this world’s beautiful sparkling colours, awesome shapes , in the miracles of nature , in the creations of human hand !We can see and we rejoice in God’s great gifts , but this is only the first step , the good news is that there is more! Often we loose the essence in the details we cannot see the Wood for the trees! We have problems with our “bottomless” vision as we so seldom see the Beautiful in the beauty , the Organiser in the order, the creatures in the Creator ! Today’s man is infected with this sort of blindness ! I call out with trust together the blind man of Jericho to our Lord Jesus Christ ! Lord please let me see, let us see ! Yes , I ask You that through this sparkling, shining turbulent world we can see Your miraculous , kindly face! Grant us that we can see the matters of this world for what they are worth ! The beauty, value of the creations should never dim Your majestic magnificence ! Help us to see in the transitory the Eternal , in the gift the Giver, in the flickering life the Life-Giving Holy Trinity !
Grant us to see !
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
"Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me!"
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
"What do you want me to do for you?"
He replied, "Lord, please let me see."
Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
Luke 18, 35-43
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saint Elizabeth was given only just a few years , but she made good use of them, today here in Toronto we are getting ready for the festival of Saint Elizabeth ! It is amazing how the high esteem of this jolly full of life young woman has spread! Saint Francis only knew her by repute , yet he took off his clothing and asked his companions of his holy order , to take them to Elizabeth as a gift ! Wherever I travel in this big world , in every church the smiling, cheerful face of Saint Elizabeth is shining as she bends down with goodness to the ones in trouble !
I often said that it is good to do good , but it is not only good to be good , but as we can see from the life of Saint Elizabeth, it is a very good investment as well, that will remain for the eternal life ! Jesus is encouraging us today , that with honesty we should make good use of the days, years entrusted to us! You can burry yourself by doing nothing , meaningless wandering around from one shop to another, long-winded chit-chats or surfing the net you can waste your time , but you have to be aware that you’ll be accountable to God about the days , years you were given ! What do you make out of the most valuable gift , your life !? Do you leave something behind , do you make good use of your mental , spiritual, physical talents ? What did you do today, last week, in 2017 ?
You don’t know neither the day , nor the hour , think about it , what would God like to give to your family , your people, to humanity !? You have countless roads ahead of you, the decision is yours , which way your steps take you ! Immerse yourself into the deep like the pearl fisher and bring up those thoughts , scientific , artistic works that you alone can give birth to ! Embark on the way of active love, organise, point in the right direction the way of your fellow human beings!
Get going now !! Follow Saint Elizabeth humbly , and you yourself will become a saint !!
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture : The young Saint Elizabeth of Toronto , 19 November 2017.
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master's money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back
and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward
bringing the additional five.
He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
'Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
'Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.'
His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"
Matthew 25, 14-30
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel.. Saturday 18 November 2017
Courage ! Saint Theresa of Avila said, that one of God’s gift is the spirit of courage , as He cannot accomplish anything either with timid, easily frightened spirits !! One needs courage for prayer as well, as I a stumbling , small-minded person how could I dare to disturb, trouble my Creator ?Even though in today’s gospel our Lord Jesus Christ is encouraging us to do jut that ! He uses the persistent stubbornness of a grumpy widow as an example for us , who has not got a chance , but because she does not give up her own goal , even here on earth she can achieve it with the unjust judge !!
Can I, do I dare to to put into words my request either in a novena or even during the holy time of the approaching Advent period !!? What do I ask from the “angel” for Christmas for myself, for my loved ones , for my people !! How sadly the words of the apostle Saint James sound : "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives!” Saint James 4,3
Courage , with love ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture: Washington, Saint István praying !
Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, "There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'"
The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Luke 18, 1-8
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel..Friday 17 November 2017
Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. Luke 17, 33
Who would not want to save his own and his beloved family’s life ? After all the most important question in this world is how could I really save what is the most precious for me ? But in reality what is the most precious for me ?It is quite certain that life is our biggest treasure, listening to our Lord Jesus Christ lets say our eternal life is the most important here on this earth ! That is why at least now, the end of November , on the threshold of the liturgical year we should bear in mind Christ’s words:31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6, 31-33
How many beautiful condominiums have I seen in the past days , fitted out with everything needed, wealth fit for a king, but I have not met with anyone who would have an eternal life here on earth ! One has to take into consideration that one's days here on earth are numbered ! For this reason one should look for treasures , with the perseverance of a hound, that ",neither moth nor rust destroys “but it remains for eternal life !We can collect around us all the worthless odds and ends , your home can be turned into into a palace, a sparkling museum where you are the only one guarding it, but lets stop for a minute and quite frankly ask ourselves the question :"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? “ Matthew 16, 26 . Our world would be renewed by love , if our everyday decisions would be guided in the hope of eternal life.!
Lets direct our attention to the final matters , daring here in this world to humbly “loose” this and that , and lets arrange a home in eternal life for ourselves and for our loved ones !
In the knowledge of my own transitoriness,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
26Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building,29but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30—it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. 32Remember Lot’s wife.33Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.’* 37Then they asked him, ‘Where, Lord?’ He said to them, ‘Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.’
Luke 17, 26-37
Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."
Then he said to his disciples,
"The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,
'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”
Luke 17, 20-25
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….Wednesday 15 November 2017
Gratitude !!
Just what can you find in a woman’s handbag ? We were travelling together with one of my “ daughters" who was in year 7 in a big bus , with the other children . As we left the kilometres behind us , and in our boredom we talked about everything and at some stage I glimpsed into the girl’s handbag . Well there was everything in there ! Every single “treasure” had its own spiritual “ charge" story and I was listening attentively , trying to get to know the mysteries of a woman’s handbag , when an empty , battered chocolate wrapper came to light. I was looking at it with wide-open eyes and I asked Erzsike :Well tell me why are you carrying this around with you ?" She looked at me surprised and asked me “ Don’t you remember it ? “ Judging by her look I felt that there maybe trouble brewing here ….getting cold feet I said , unfortunately I don’t ! The young girl just swallowed and I guess all of a sudden she had her opinion of the grownups and all she said I got this from you Father Csaba 7 years ago when you took me in at Déva ! I just held her close , and nothing was said ….It was lucky like this because it would have been hard to say anything ! Yes, a naughty brat , who could have easily been born a boy ,who was right up to her eyeballs in every prank , and the reason why I actually sat next to in the bus so she would not cause more trouble , for the past seven years carrying with her that chocolate wrapper , even though the chocolate was eaten a long time ago , but it was the first piece of chocolate in her life, that she received in the child protection centre !
I am praying so that I may also be capable in my own clumsy way procure for my Creator God such beautiful moments with my grateful love , as the joy Erzsike caused me ! I believe that God is not expecting from us great pretentious , memorised, complex sentences , but that we appreciate His precious gifts , rejoicing in His gift of our existence and the daily “chocolate “ even though that is consumed , but its wrapping, memory, can remain for ever in our grateful heart !
With love ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"
And when he saw them, he said,
"Go show yourselves to the priests."
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
"Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"
Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
Luke 17, 11-19
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 13 November 2017
For me one of the most endearing saying of Jesus is :"‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”Matthew 21,42 The basic conviction of my entire priestly service , that in the Saul’s of today there is a "Hymn of Love" present but following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ that has to be prised out with a dialogue, trust, patience! In the children lost, discarded I can see the upholders of society, the taxpayers , happy family man , the mother blooming surrounded by her children , and this is why I am working and thank to God our children reinforce my faith again and again! Of course I can also see on the gnarled branch of the acacia tree winter and summer the huge thorns , but I know, that the blessed spring sunshine, the warm rain, will dress these trees into a white wedding gown, and they will present with over several hundred tons , the most valuable nectar of the Carpathian Basin, the bees , who with diligent work will magically extricate the honey from it for us !
Yes, Jesus does not want to persuade us just for simple mercy , He does not want us that by forgiving each other , not even looking back, just indifferently to pass one another , but He wants us to free up the hesitating, fallen, man who came to a sudden standstill , from the idleness, the slavery of sin , to lead them out from the darkness of the adits of paralysing fear into a sparkling park lit up by the light of God !Lets bring out the goodness from the other person by love !Lets light a magnificence and make our brothers understand that it is good to be good , the creative love , the continuously working goodness making our world more beautiful and better, the source of our joy , is alone that can brighten God’s beautiful features on our faces !To be a Christian , to become the fishers of men does not only mean that you save your brother from damnation, but that you also work side by side tirelessly on the renewal of this world according to the will of God !
Lets make come true that for which we pray day after day , in union with our brethren lets do everything , that the kingdom of Christ’s love may come !
With the love of a lesser brother of Christ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Jesus said to his disciples,
"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him."
And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.”
Luke 17, 1-6
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel ……. 12 November 2017 , 32nd Sunday of Ordinary time
When is the Bridegroom , Jesus coming back the second time, so He calls the living and the dead to face Him alike ?
We don’t know , but I think that in the light of the gospel , based on the teaching of my Church , that God is long-suffering ,calm and is not in the habit of hastily bringing on the end of the world ! My life, or even the life of some nations, or even parts of the world may come to an end , a couple of smaller branches or even a bigger one may break off a tree, but the tree remains alive and will come into leaf ! In my opinion humanity has not reached yet the tasks set out by our Lord Jesus Christ!
Our Master wants us, that we do not only ask in prayer that : “Thy kingdom come “, but that also we , ourselves with hard work build , beautify our Creator’s reining in our world ! One can safely buy long life milk , plan and work trustingly , because you have time to realise your nice dreams ! I encourage you that no matter how much it hurts pay your bills , the taxes , because the end of the world is still far away ! God will carry the good work that He started with the creation of the world to a good conclusion , He will fulfil all that He started with the redemption He will build with us a kingdom based on love , wisdom were there will not be first and last guest, where at the great wedding feast it will be good to be together joyfully !!!
Lets not wait for the end of the world, but believe in the final victory of love and day after day lets do everything that in reality may love triumph in this world !!
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Photo: The triumphant Christ in the sanctuary of the cathedral in Washington.
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
'Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise ones replied,
'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'
But he said in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Mattew 25, 1-13
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Saturday 11 November 2017 Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
"No servant can be the slave of two masters” Luke 16,
My Lord, very humbly I call to You, from this world, stretching out my hand towards the Kingdom of Heaven , aware of the bounds of my being closed in a handful of dust I am accusing myself , hoping that You ,who know me best , will lift me up ! My Saviour I chose You deliberately ! You who want to lead us on the royal way of the eight beatitudes of the gospel ! It is so good to wake up with You , laughingly embark on the road of miracles, to let You build the Kingdom of Love through my thoughts , words deeds! But nightly unfortunately again and again I discover in my body , in my mind the temptation of the evil one! Looking back , I sadly see , that during the course of the day here and there I let the the enemy of goodness, mercy , purity take my arm ! I am well aware of the great truth proclaimed by Saint Paul :” 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing..” I know and yet so often I forget my Lord of the honest love towards You and Your creations !
My God , have mercy on us , cleanse our lives and kind- heartedly acknowledge us as Yours !
With hope in the mercy of God,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
10Jesus said to His disciples: "And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.
Anyone who is trustworthy in little things is trustworthy in great; anyone who is dishonest in little things is dishonest in great.
If then you are not trustworthy with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches?
And if you are not trustworthy with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?”
"No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money."
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and jeered at him. He said to them, "You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as upright in people's sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed in human eyes is loathsome in the sight of God.”
Luke 16, 9-15
