Daily gospel

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel …Saturday 28 October 2017 The feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

"In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” Luke 6,12

I like to imagine as our Lord Jesus Christ as a child plays with the children, but I also like to observe Him as an adult, the way He teaches enthusiastically , travels around wearily, or He sits by the evening fire together with His disciples !I encourage you today that let’s try with our mind’s eyes to gaze in wonderment at Jesus spending the whole night in worshiping God ! The Holy Trinity is together , Jesus with the strong arms of prayer embraces the heavenly Father, the consoling Spirit ! Naturally we do not understand , and never will understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity , but I believe that we don’t have to search with our intellect, reasoning , but we have to gaze in wonderment at that infinite love that binds together the Holy Trinity !

Jesus spend the whole night worshiping God ! Jesus as a man fulfils the first commandment  :"YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND HIM ONLY SHALL YOU SERVE”! Am I fulfilling God’s first commandment ? We are followers of Christ, let’s awaken the desire in our hearts to adore God ! Let’s dare , want to spend our nights in the adoration of God ! Let’s follow our Lord Jesus Christ on the infinitely simple way of adoring our God ! This is that narrow, steep road that leads to the kingdom of heaven ! If you search in your heart , there is the desire for the infinite beauty , goodness , kindness that you focus the potential of infinite love not on idols but on the adoration of your Heavenly Father ! The kingdom of heaven does not need a key , without any ulterior motive worship God, and the Infinity will open up before you and then the flame with the flame will fuse, become one !

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

The Twelve Apostles

12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called rthe Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Jesus Ministers to a Great Multitude

17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

Luke 6, 12-19

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Friday 27 October 2017

Can we predict from the signs of time ?!

I was watching at some length a heart wrenching film, the ocean’s living world is being destroyed .. The scientists are quoting huge numbers the coral reeves , sea life’s delivery rooms, lost about 40-45 % of their size in the past few years . The film also shows that the inhabitants of an ancient fishing village after a whole day’s work , are opening tinned fish in the shop, as they did not catch anything and have no lunch….Again and again the same question arrises : why ? The scientists answer is the same everywhere : global warming , acid rain, the polyp like arms of the consumers' society hunting down everything…..in short, human greed ,is what kills everything !

Before we pass judgement on anyone , let’s think , I wonder what mark would we give ourselves from “greediness”? How many outfits do I have that I bought but never use ? How many such beds do I have that I have not slept in this month? I should continue on with the examination of my conscience, searching one’s heart ! Yes,  examination of conscience because greed is there amongst the principal sins and unfortunately this sin is like contagious disease that rages in all of us and the fact is that this immeasurable desire for possessions is responsible for the destruction of our world ! We put more on our plates than what we can eat and we just throw out the rest ! And all of us do this with everything ! There is such a frightening quantity of clothing in circulation , that from the crumbs fallen on the ground , that from a day's wage we can get dressed , properly from top to toe from a second hand shop ! The worry is that instead of feeling greed as a sin , we even speak ill, condemn the one who is not resourceful enough, does not hoard , “gather”, fleece with two hands ! We proudly show off our houses where naturally there is no laughter of children , only just walls that sooner or later will collapse with a great crash , decaying odds and ends, junk !

We are on the way towards facing trial, justice , Life , unless we respect her now, just as during the course of history so many times , will condemn her children ! The judgement, sentence  is acid rain , drought, dried up wells , terrorists , wars , steam of refugees, destruction, suffering !

There is a cure ! Our Lord Jesus Christ’s answer is simple ! In the Our Father He taught His disciples the answer : “ Give us this day our daily bread “! Every day the daily , and not enormous , accumulated , piled up reserves in our homes ! Only as much , that we really need because if I take even a tad more that is greed, a sin and wages of sin is death ! For this reason with relentless determination let’s hunt down and blot out, annihilate from ourselves the sly, murderous sin of our times that threatens our world with total destruction ,insatiable greediness, avarice !

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

Jesus said again to the crowds, 'When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it's going to be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times? 'Why not judge for yourselves what is upright?

For example: when you are going to court with your opponent, make an effort to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the officer and the officer have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.’

Luke 12, 54-59 

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….Thursday 26 October 2017

"Jesus said to his disciples:

"I have come to set the earth on fire,

and how I wish it were already blazing!” Luke 12,49

It is so good to read these powerful, blazing  words , because there are so many uncertain voices , frightened , cold-blooded people in this world !This is why it is good to stand by the side of Christ , because He wants something , believes that this world can be transformed by the flame of love  He dares to start a world mission with twelve yobbo apostles and is capable to bring it to success ! Two thousand years ago with His palm pierced by a nail our Lord Jesus Christ dared to dream big , when we the XXIst century apostles of our Master , so many of us , with so many churches , so much “infrastructure” don’t dare to stand up with our Lord's healing gospel to face people ?! 

I bravely stand by the word of my Master , because I experienced that it is good to belong to Christ , to walk with Him the way of life, , it is good to go with Him among the children . He also has a lot to say to the adults , this is why I proclaim by word and deed , that there is hope , Jesus is the living hope for all of us , His revolution of love is capable to transform our world ! I believe and profess that the Son of God , Jesus Christ is really a living fire, capable of  flaring up that charred life, worn thin in us , He is capable to bring a new life for us without war and suffering as well ! My dear friends that is why I encourage you too, let’ not wait for anybody, anyone , dare to proclaim with your decisions, words, that our world is not on a path of destruction , but is advancing to a rebirth ! 

With love,

Father Csaba.

translated by dr k.e.

Jesus said to his disciples:

"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!

There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!

Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?

No, I tell you, but rather division.

From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father,  a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Luke 12, 49-53

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….

Wednesday 25 October 2017

"if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful.”Luke 12, 39

We are all responsible for each other !! Success goes incredibly quickly to our heads and we forget that , in reality we are not masters , but only fellow servants since everything, but everything whatever we have , material, political power was entrusted to us by God and sooner or later the time will come that He is going to bring us to account about our making use of what we were given !

It is so easy to say , that this is mine and I do with it what I see fit, but this is not so, because even what we inherited , my pay, the trust of my companions are all talents , God’s gifts , and unless I make good use of them for the benefit of my brethren with love, then I’ll fall under judgement …..Lets do a self-examination and lets think humbly , as to what do I have that I have not received ? My life, my health, my mental , spiritual values are all the gifts of God’s love , that I have to magnanimously  covert possibly at the best possible "exchange rate” for pure “love” for my brethren !

Wake up -reveille !! ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. " Luke 12, 20

Your lesser brother in Christ,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

Jesus said to his disciples: 

"Be sure of this:

if the master of the house had known the hour

when the thief was coming,

he would not have let his house be broken into.

You also must be prepared,

for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Then Peter said,

"Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?"

And the Lord replied,

"Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward

whom the master will put in charge of his servants

to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?

Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.

Truly, I say to you, he will put him

in charge of all his property.

But if that servant says to himself,

'My master is delayed in coming,'

and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,

to eat and drink and get drunk,

then that servant's master will come

on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour

and will punish the servant severely

and assign him a place with the unfaithful.

That servant who knew his master's will

but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will

shall be beaten severely;

and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will

but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating

shall be beaten only lightly. 

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,

and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

Luke 12, 39-48

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….Tuesday 24 October 2017

There is not word said anywhere, that we have an eternal abode here on earth……the Lord comes for all man and opens the door on us and it is quite certain that we have to give count of our work !! What would happen if this very moment your Creator would open the door on you? Imagine as the crumbling walls would collapse with a great crash , the wrapping paper comes off in shreds off you , what remains standing in the presence of God ?Did you make good use of the talents given to you, the precious time , the many different training, did you use the values you posses , does something enduring remain after you ? ?

"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…” Phil.2,12

Your lesser brother in Christ,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

Picture: our vegetable garden in Medgyes is reborn…..with gratitude and love to all the busy hands !

Jesus said to his disciples: 

"Gird your loins and light your lamps

and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding,

ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

Blessed are those servants

whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.

Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,

have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.

And should he come in the second or third watch

and find them prepared in this way,

blessed are those servants.”

Luke 12, 35-38

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….Monday 23 October 2017

Perhaps greed is the greatest canker of the man of the XXIst century . Unfortunately most of the sins  we sense as sins and our conscience is also uneasy if we fall into the sins of anger, hatred, sensuality or gluttony . The fact is that if one experiences the consequences of these sins , as well one will become ill or may even be locked up but we don’t feel the sin of avarice as bad, in fact many of the men of our days forged a “virtue” out of this sickly greediness. For the man of today buying the second, third house , car is not seen as a sin, but as being resourceful , clever, bright !No matter what our scientists are saying about global warming , the pilfering of our earth’ resources or about the exploitation of child labour in third world countries making consumer goods , it does not matter , because everybody is shopping, collecting , milling around in shopping centres , amassing material goods without restraint .

Lets lift up our gaze and learn from our Lord Jesus Christ , who says about Himself ""Foxes have dens, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” Matthew 8, 20 . For me it is good to hear the liberating thoughts of the gospel : 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them…….Mt 6,26..19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6, 19-21

God wants us to have our daily bread in abundance but our hearts to be free from all fleecing avarice that not only pulls us down, but also robs our lives , forces us into the position of a guard of a museum covered in cobweb , into the role of a cleaner !

Lets take off our chains , even if they would be made out of gold , and praying for the freedom of children of God lets say a definite “no” to greed!!

With love ,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e.

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,

"Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me."

He replied to him,

"Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?"

Then he said to the crowd,

"Take care to guard against all greed,

for though one may be rich,

one's life does not consist of possessions."

Then he told them a parable.

"There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.

He asked himself, 'What shall I do,

for I do not have space to store my harvest?'

And he said, 'This is what I shall do:

I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.

There I shall store all my grain and other goods

and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you,

you have so many good things stored up for many years,

rest, eat, drink, be merry!"'

But God said to him,

'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;

and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?'

Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself

but is not rich in what matters to God.”

Luke 12, 13-21

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….

Harsh talk ! God expects from the prophet of the old testament that they plant, and that they wreak havoc , their words be double edge sword ! The priest in the courts according to the old testament always said what the ruler wanted to hear . Elijah, Jeremiah,  Isaiah and the other prophets  always spoke very harshly to the people of their time. 

Jesus as God, can see very clearly that "the wages of sin is death”  . He knows that hypocrisy , the behaviour of the pharisees , the half solutions , that in reality is a coverup of selfishness, avarice , lust for power will lead His people into destruction . This is why He names openly, face to face some of His contemporaries "whitewashed tombs” . As God He can see the destruction of Jerusalem , He sees that "not one stone here will be left on another” and He tells this to His contemporaries frankly, harshly because He would like people to  be converted !!

The big question I have if Jesus Christ could not stop the free-fall of His own people on Palm Sunday or even on Good Friday why the people did not choose Him the truth and the good  and why did they choose Barabbas ? And if Jesus the Son of God could not get His own people to convert whether will I , or will be successful in taking out of their way of selfishness , avarice , crushing others the man of the XXIst century ? What chance do we have to persuade the XXIst century  “Herodes" , "Pilates “ the “chief counsellor” to  decide  by love , the way of mercy ?

I know that we cannot get off the way of love ! An even if by any chance bombs would fall from the sky , then even then I should preach in a loud voice about the mercy of God and the final victory of love !

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e. 

The Lord said:

"Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets 

whom your fathers killed.

Consequently, you bear witness and give consent

to the deeds of your ancestors,

for they killed them and you do the building.

Therefore, the wisdom of God said,

'I will send to them prophets and Apostles;

some of them they will kill and persecute'

in order that this generation might be charged

with the blood of all the prophets

shed since the foundation of the world,

from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah

who died between the altar and the temple building.

Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!

Woe to you, scholars of the law!

You have taken away the key of knowledge.

You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."

When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees

began to act with hostility toward him

and to interrogate him about many things,

for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

Luke 11, 47-54

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……..

Wednesday 18 October 2017

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

Luke is a trained doctor, it is quite certain that he experienced several times the gospel’s liberating, healing power . We know that he himself took part in several missions . These roads can be tried out by anybody even today . During my years in studying Theology with other novices , but later on with the orphans we often embarked on the road in the light of Christ’s gospel. In fact the film "Travels with a monk (friar )!" is partly about this ! We set off from Szováta and every day travelled past a village approx. 40-50 of us . The local parish priest knew about our arrival. When we arrived into a village we read a parts of Jesus’ magnificent words from the  gospel. For instance when He sends His 72 disciples. Then in pairs, or as a threesome we started out on the streets of the village , trustingly we called on people, we helped them in their work and there was always someone who invited us for lunch we even received accomodation . During the day we invited everybody for an evening program that did not only consist of a holy mass , but also happy, cheerful songs , games were also part of. Many exciting things happened to us each day . At night my companions were telling exciting stories interrupting one another short . I also had days when I was helping gypsies laying bricks  all day long. During work people tend to open up more and tell many ,many interesting stories . Another day I finished up with a very sad family where one member of the family committed suicide and people poured their hearts out. We prayed , cried together . Then there was when a different denomination invited us and together with the neighbours we had a fairly volatile argument , but after a glass of wine we all calmed down and had a cheerful discussion . 

A missionary’s road is full of secrets , wonders as there are no two similar people , no two similar lives . The essence is that we really walk our ways with the love of Christ’s gospel. It is not our duty to convert people we only give testimony that God loves us and He wants to replan our lives and wants us to be happy . My life is a continuous mission as there are times when my way takes me to magnificent churches at other times to humble abodes. Christ calls everybody , sends us to everybody since we all are sisters and brothers and He died for all of us on the Cross !

With love, 

Father Csaba.

translated by dr k.e.

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples

whom he sent ahead of him in pairs

to every town and place he intended to visit.

He said to them,

"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;

so ask the master of the harvest

to send out laborers for his harvest.

Go on your way;

behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;

and greet no one along the way.

Into whatever house you enter,

first say, 'Peace to this household.'

If a peaceful person lives there,

your peace will rest on him;

but if not, it will return to you.

Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,

for the laborer deserves payment.

Do not move about from one house to another.

Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,

eat what is set before you,

cure the sick in it and say to them,

'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’"

Luke 10, 1-9

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel  Monday 16 October 2017

Why is it so difficult to convert , to repel evil, sin, and with a childlike trust to nestle, conform into God’s palm? Why don’t we walk on the way of love, goodness, mercy , with calm consideration, in the light of the lantern of wisdom as good brothers and sisters? Perhaps because the curiosity within us , leads us to ways where we really have no business  at all , then a stubborn defiance, a hard obstinacy just to prove that we are right , and in the end feeling ashamed not even willing to admit to ourselves that we made a mistake , that we started out on the wrong way !!

I ask my Lord humbly for myself and my brethren the grace of conversion, because if You , our Redeemer will not help us then we’ll be lost , our generation will also perish in his sins ! Send us Jonahs , prophets , that we convert that following the example of the Queen of the South looking for the truth we will find You !!

With love,

Father Csaba 

translated by dr k.e.

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,

"This generation is an evil generation;

it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,

except the sign of Jonah.

Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,

so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

At the judgment 

the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation

and she will condemn them,

because she came from the ends of the earth

to hear the wisdom of Solomon,

and there is something greater than Solomon here.

At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation 

and condemn it,

because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,

and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

Luke 11, 29-32

Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……15 October 2017 28th Sunday of the Year in Ordinary time….

Wedding , banquet ,feast ! Rejoice because God is inviting us here with as well with infinite love ! Did happiness , joy, gaiety find a home in my heart ? How frequent a visitor is joy in my life ? Mary steps into Elizabeth’s home and  even the babe leapt in her womb joyously ! The two women can love each other and God as well , and greet each other joyfully ! When was the last time that I knelt before my God and Creator, that by glorifying , praising Him for the life  I received , my loved ones , my home and for being able to live under peaceful conditions, for being able to work , I can wander all over this nice ,wide world ? 

It is Sunday , the day to give thanks to God ! I should knowingly get my heart used to the joy, take into account all the precious gifts of my Creator, my two hands, my heart, my eyes , my mind and all the many talents that He lavished on me, my family, my beloved people !! I should glorify God, who remained among us in the Holy Eucharist , made His home amongst us all because He loves us very much ! Lets glorify the Holy Spirit living within us who not only sanctifies us by His presence , but also gives us light, wisdom , and the necessary strength , momentum that I can be also part of the community of saints building the kingdom of love ! Lets open our heart and singing the Te Deum proclaim God’s great deeds , all that trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ’s promise we are awaiting with hope ! Rejoicing I should bless our Redeemer , Jesus Christ, as not only did He open up for us the gate of eternal life , but despite  all our weaknesses invited us to the festive table of our Heavenly Father ! We all should adore with the glorious Holy Trinity ,with our hearts leaping with joy , our Lord and Giver of Life !

Proclaiming the Majesty of God,

Father Csaba

translated by dr k.e. 

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people 

in parables, saying, 

"The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king

who gave a wedding feast for his son. 

He dispatched his servants

to summon the invited guests to the feast,

but they refused to come.

A second time he sent other servants, saying,

'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet,

my calves and fattened cattle are killed,

and everything is ready; come to the feast."'

Some ignored the invitation and went away,

one to his farm, another to his business. 

The rest laid hold of his servants,

mistreated them, and killed them. 

The king was enraged and sent his troops,

destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 

Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready,

but those who were invited were not worthy to come. 

Go out, therefore, into the main roads

and invite to the feast whomever you find.'

The servants went out into the streets

and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,

and the hall was filled with guests. 

But when the king came in to meet the guests,

he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. 

The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it

that you came in here without a wedding garment?'

But he was reduced to silence.

Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet,

and cast him into the darkness outside,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'

Many are invited, but few are chosen."

Matthew 22, 1-14