Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….Tuesday 5 February 2019
How many people are in the world like “the daughter of Jairus “, children in trouble, haemorrhaging women , people laying paralysed since long decades in today’s world as well, who say it crying :” I have no-one to stand by my side , who would help, who would take care of me .”In the past days I visited a lonely elderly, woman, who lost of leg due to circulatory problems . This elderly woman worked in a hospital for many long years , she has a small unit on the outskirt of the town , some pension as well , but she has no-one to help. Someone should go and do the shopping , fix up outstanding bills , to clean the place , and always for every task she has to ask someone . Unfortunately there are many such elderly people men and women. The way I see the tendency to accept the gift of children , there will be many more such lonely people .
The fabric of our society that was holding it together has weakened a lot . Because base on imagined , or real grievances we turn our backs on others incredibly easily , let go of one another’s hands . Many of our children in difficult situations have relatives, parents , but even most of the lonely elderly people have relatives , close family members . Jesus Christ bends down to a total stranger , putting everything aside and sets out to Jairus’ place , to help a suffering child , He also addresses the sick woman even in the large crowd .
How good it would be if we would also transform in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ !! On this day lets pray , that the beautiful features of Jesus hurrying to the sick child, bending down to the sufferer may also shine on our faces as well . May God grant us that first and foremost we take care and nurse our blood relatives , but following the example of Jesus we also will be able to turn to the strangers as well with merciful charity .
With the devotion of a lesser brother ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture : Be the Saint Christopher of the XXI century .
The Word of God
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ So he went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’
While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Mark 5:21-43
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Saturday 2 February 2019 The Feast of The Presentation of our Lord.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..” John 1, 9-11
Today at the conclusion of the holy mass everyone who wanted came forward and lit their candle from the candle on the altar! Those who received the light and are carrying it- according to the teaching of Holy Scriptures -they are the children of God !! Beautiful picture I take the light consciously into my hand and I get going towards my brethren !! You cannot fight with darkness, it cannot be broken up, or shovelled out through the window , but it is unnecessary to do so, because were the light shines the darkness is dissipating, as the lack of light is the darkness itself ! It is this simple !
You decide as well, to hold the light and get going towards your brethren !
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
The Word of God
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
Luke 2:22-40
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel … Friday 1 February 2019
“..someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. Mark 4,26
The physics of the XXIst century superseded ,the classical Newtonian physics even though it seemed logical, explainable , by the quantum physics , based on its results . I am convinced the classic teaching, psychology based on sound logic , also in the near future is going to take a huge leap forward so that it can help children and adults in reality !!
What am I thinking of ?? At the beginning of the XX. century the physicists in the course of their experiments were amazed to see that the tiny molecular particles do not behave according the classical laws of physics !! A lot of interesting discoveries were made by the experimenting physicists , although they suspect that they are only scratching the tip of the iceberg ! These discoveries quite certainly bit by bit are going to infiltrate our lives as well!
We hear it very often that the past determines our lives ! According to the quantum physics if the little particle passes through two apertures on a light sensitive plate, it will reach its destination not only on two well calculated points , but just like the rolling sea it will leave its mark on large number of points of the light-sensitive plate !! The aperture into which the particle was forced, does not rob it from its freedom does not determine the obstacle that forces it to field that is key factor in determining it!
I admire our children !! Many of them despite their short lives experienced a lot !! Looking at it in the human context , those narrow spaces through which they forced themselves through , to stay alive should determine their lives !! Thank God , I am amazed to see , that the wounds of the past are not determiningthe lives of our children !! The falling apart of their families , the loss of parents and other tragedies I would not like to speak about does not determine their future ! Free will is capable of overwriting everything. Neither the parents, nor the teacher, nor the misfortune , neither the unexpected lucky breaks are not capable clearly to determine their lives !!I believe that this is not only true for the lives of individuals , but it is true in the life of people, nations as well!! I am convinced that our people’s lives are not determined by Trianon, the two world wars or 1956 , but our own free will , courage our faith in God, our trust and love towards each other!
We are free ! Not only the little particles , but we ourselves as well, but not only us , but the society originating form us is capable of moving much more freely than how some people may think !! Paying attention to our scientists’ discoveries lets expand our horizon , may our outlook on life be filled by the light of Christ’s teaching and lets live with the infinite freedom of the seed fallen into the ground reaching towards heaven.
Paying tribute to our scientists,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
The Word of God
Jesus also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come." He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
Mark 4, 26-34
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Wednesday 30 January 2019
You look at the picture , the snow covered landscape and you say , that it is beautiful ! Although like this ,stiffly frozen , a terrible struggle is taking shape in front of our eyes ! These pine trees , just like we as well received the commandment from our Creator to be carriers , the developers of life !! Their seeds fell into hard ground, but they decided to embrace life , they live and they want to live ! Their growth , their function comes to a standstill , in winter silently they crouch under the snow ! In the spring they burst new buds and celebrate their victory over the icy winter aspiring to annihilate the existence by growing a newer crown !! Every year with a flush of victory they grow a new set of branches even though they know that their victory within a few months will come to nothing , and again the icy winter will hit the branches again , yet they still grow towards heaven!!
Today reading our Master’s words about the sower I would not like to reflect , how blessed is the soil , that accepts , is fertile , or thorny or maybe rocky ? But about as a seed carrying life what my duty is : My duty is to accept the soil into which I fell , into which my ancestors died , conquering the difficulties growing big , to produce fruit, lasting fruits !!Are there worries , difficulties , problems ? Certainly there are lots of problems in this earth, thorny, alkaline , rocky soil, but this is what was given to us ! Certainly there are very difficult frosty days, nights, but we have to endure , hope in that , that the blessed blessed sunshine, the spring is coming , when triumphantly new hope, new dream will spring in my heart !!
In the icy winter , awaiting the blessed spring ,
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Photo by Fodor István , up on the Hargita .
Gospel
On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea.
A very large crowd gathered around him
so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down.
And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.
And he taught them at length in parables,
and in the course of his instruction he said to them,
"Hear this! A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and the birds came and ate it up.
Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.
And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it
and it produced no grain.
And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.
It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
He added, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear."
And when he was alone,
those present along with the Twelve
questioned him about the parables.
He answered them,
"The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you.
But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that
they may look and see but not perceive,
and hear and listen but not understand,
in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven."
Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable?
Then how will you understand any of the parables?
The sower sows the word.
These are the ones on the path where the word is sown.
As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once
and takes away the word sown in them.
And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who,
when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.
But they have no roots; they last only for a time.
Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
they quickly fall away.
Those sown among thorns are another sort.
They are the people who hear the word,
but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches,
and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word,
and it bears no fruit.
But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it
and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."
Mk 4:1-20
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…3rd Sunday of ordinary time……27 January 2019
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,to let the oppressed go free,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ Luke 4, 14
With what wonderful wisdom does Jesus Christ initiates , the proclamation of the gospel in His homeland ! He teaches with infinite love , goodness , heals the sick and people are outraged by Him. Jesus remarked “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” Matthew 13,57
Why is it so difficult to see with our eyes and think at some length what the other person is telling us ! A great proportion of Jesus Christ’s contemporaries are unable to make sense of the wonderful , wise teaching ! Two thousand years have gone by and Christians are murdered daily ! For example today in the southern part of the Philippines terrorist detonated a bomb in the church during mass that left at least 27 people dead and 77 injured . Two time bombs went off in Sulu province in the capital Jolo in the cathedral there the first one during mass, the second one in the parking lot after the rescue work has started , according to a military spokesman Gerry Benson .
People cause each other , themselves a lot of pain . Around me wherever I look children, adults live overwhelmed by their wounds ! It would be so simple to go to one another and calmly ask them , look “this is what I’ve heard “ is it true and if so why did you do this or that ? We are not even trying to find out the truth, we just detonate if not a time bomb then a judgement or the bomb of slander , accusation !!
Lets look into ourselves and lets try to greet with great love , accept my brother living next to me , I should want and be willing to open and continue a dialogue with the ones living in my vicinity !
Let us pray with the words of our father Saint Francis ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
The Word of God
Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Saturday 26 January 2019 The Feast of Saint Timothy and Saint Titus
I believe , I am convinced , that despite all my weaknesses upon the request of the apostles ,the Lord of the Harvest , sent me to work into His harvest!!
I was ordained a priest 30 years ago by Bishop Jakab Antal in Gyulafehérvár !! I weighed 59 kilos then , the communism seemed endless , there was neither future, nor prospect in anything , but I trusted in God, in my superiors in the Church , who all spent time in prison because of their faith and I set out in God’s name with my companions !
The years have passed , now in 2019 , aged sixty , a priest for 30 years , I have to say humbly , that the harvest is very, very abundant, plentiful and often quite hard , in fact often it was a rough situation, but I was never disappointed in God, in my Church !! I received thirty wonderful years from God, I could walk in the land of miracles with our children , I could experience God’s infinite kind-heartedness , His merciful patience ,and that divine wisdom that not only lead me out of all difficulties , but it also formed me , made me smarter , better, wiser !
My heart is filled to the brim with gratitude towards my Creator God , who saw it fit not only to call me , but despite my faltering to lead me step by step , and present me with an unbelievable , beautiful big family !! For all this with gratitude in my heart I proclaim , according to the will of Christ : My Brethren "The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Luke 10, 9
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Photo : Virk László
The Word of God
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
Luke 10:1-9
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Friday 25 January 2019 The conversion of the apostle Saint Paul.
"‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”Mark 16,15
Lets pay attention to the fact that Jesus does not only send us to human beings but to every creature ! "19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.”Letters to the Romans 8, 19 ! and here God does not only think to the world of humans , but to the whole created world , the trees, the plants, the animals, all creatures of God , our brethren. A Christian can only be “green” , one who respects , loves nature !! Let us prat that our lives may not cause anyone , anything unnecessary pain, the plants, the animals should not be tortured, killed without reasons, but according to the will of God we should humbly restore the conditions as they were in Paradise , living in peace with everyone and everything .
Saint Francis goes even further than this , the pledge of obedience ,means, the conscious paying attention to others , hearing others , obedience , also means the hearing of the other’s unspoken thoughts ! Francis would like to obey the animals, the plants , even the inanimate objects too !! Yes it is not the same how you close a door, how you put your coat down , or when you close the tap off after you wash yourself !!
My God grant us , that in reality all creatures may benefit through the fact that I converted, living my life reborn in God’s love !!
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
The Word of God
And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’
Mark 16:15-18
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Wednesday 23 January 2019
"Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” Mark 3,1
Jesus Christ could have asked this question like this as well : Is it allowed to place anything ahead of love ? On the list of priorities what occupies the first place for you or me ?? For the Pharisees , it was the keeping of the sabbath . God’s commandment , naturally the way they interpret it , is more important than anything else , it even overwrites the commandment of love , which also is God’s commandment , in fact this is the commandment of commandments , LOVE IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT !! That is why we refer to all those in a derogatory sense , who twist and distort the facts till they will be in the right and so they can get out , with head held up high, from under all general commandments of love that are obligatory for anyone else !!
It is not long ago that the winter vacation finished , it lasted from 21 December till 15 January . With those children who were not taken home , who were not even visited by a parent, we rang a couple of them, so that the child could wish them joyous festive season . It was very awkward for me to listen to some of them , as they tried to explain to their 5-10 year old children, why they could not come , why they did not have time to ring up their child during the holidays , whom they otherwise love very much ! After ringing 4-5 very “busy “ mother or father I stopped ringing them, I thought, it would be better if I do not cause either the children nor myself unpleasant moments !!
Lets look into myself , how much of a Pharisee am I ? Whether do I hide behind such a few “important” tasks , instead of smilingly embracing my beloved child , members of my family ?! Unfortunately many times we also have sinned against the commandment of love , at times like this lets not try to “wriggle out of something “ , but sincerely , humbly lets repent and lets step on the way of the sincere, pure love ! The root of the matter is not who is right , but that we love each other with sincere goodwill , with all forgiving mercy !
Accusing myself of trespass ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture : Jesus warned him:"And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”Mark 14, 30
The Word of God
Jesus entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come forward." Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Mark 3:1-6
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 21 January 2019 The Feast of Saint Agnes.
Fasting !? We are the children of a consumer society , of such a society, -even if we do not say it out loudly - the slogan of which is is buy it and throw it away! There is immeasurable squandering going on everywhere ! I am convinced that the great task of the XXIst century ’s prophet is that to lead out our world , without shaking it up, from this pleasure-hunting ,of this liberal world devastating everything, consuming everything , I am free to do , I am entitled to everything mentality !
Fasting: you could consume it , you could and yet you do not do it ? It would be good if our world would discover the strength, value hidden in the conscious fasting, self-denial, giving-up ! The one who is dependant on a lot is not a free man , you are a prisoner of all that your existence, happiness depends on ! You are only really free , if your successful life, happiness and prosperity is independent of people’s opinion , from all the clothes you bought, from items of luxury , from electronic gadgets , from all sorts of odds and ends !!
Fasting ! Take your destiny consciously into your own hands, make decisions, every good decision is fasting , since you have to give up something ! Experience that whatever you have given up did not make you poorer , but lighter, freer ! Anything that you accept , you posses is a burden , it will finish up in your sack and you can drag it along ! Without a load the high mountains become hills , but with a large pack even the small hills will tower like unsurpassable rock cliffs ahead of you !
Fasting: The consciously chosen renunciation, giving up is a nice smelling flower , out of which you can make a bouquet for your God, who from the first sentence given to Moses in showing the way to happiness is asking from you , that you worship Him with burning love !! Who would want to have enough , grow “heavy” from nourishments that originate form the “mud" of the earth , when our creator God’s wedding feast is awaiting us !? Who would want to appear resplendent in richly-embroidered garments , in luxury articles pushing our world from a sustainable field, in luxury items that push our world into destruction, if we can put on the regal robe of good deeds , the real wisdom’s doctoral gown, the magnificent wings of the genuine love of God?
My Lord I am not awaiting my spiritual tranquility , joy from nice food, nor from expensive clothing, jewellery, items of luxury but from You who not only created me, but even invited me to Your Kingdom , for the wedding feast !! For this reason like one in love shedding all that is choking them ,scattering the unnecessary pieces of clothing ,desiring nothing else I am running into Your arms !! I am not awaiting happiness from the creatures , but from my Creator , I don’t need the gifts , but the Giver Himself , neither blessing , but the infinite Love that dispenses the blessing !!
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
The Word of God
Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. "No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins."
Mark 2:18-22
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel ..Friday 18 January 2019 The feast of Saint Margit of the House of Árpád .
In our world it almost seems like a “treasure “ if someone doesn’t know something or cannot do something !! It is so “sweet” in the eyes of many those who are clumsy , who are not interested neither in this nor in that !! The reality however is that it is not only in sport that we are looking for the best , the clever , the champion defeating everybody , but in every aspect of life !! Choosy people willing to walk for miles looking for the best shoes, the best dresses , leave behind anything not up to their expectations on the shelves ! For the nicest , in every respect the best food, drink they are willing to pay anything !! But this infinite fastidiousness also applies in creating their homes, their travels , organising holidays , one could say in every aspect of life !! It also seems that God is also demanding , He turns away from the foolish bridesmaids , just as the man burying his talent or condemns the barren fig tree pushes them away from Himself !!
Wake up time !! We are approaching the end of the first half of the school year , time to write assignments !! It does matter whether you studied hard , whether your candle is burning, or whether there is oil in your lamp or not !!
Time to wake up ! !! It is not only the students who have to prepare hard for their exams , as our life-giving Creator , who calls us to Himself , who gives our talents , quite certainly wants to take delight by the light of our lamps shining brightly in our increasing talents , in our valuable, beautiful fruits !!
God does not want to wipe out the eager greed within us , but He would like to refine it :"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, 20-21
Lets do everything in our power that our light may shine , give light, warmth to the people living around us ! Lets live in a way that the material, physical , mental, spiritual talents entrusted to us increase nicely ! Lets aim with all our strength , that our lives produce fruit in accordance to the will of Christ that we will stand laden with beautiful , holy precious fruits for our brethren as well, when the time comes in the presence of our Creator !! In this struggle of ours may Saint Margit of the House of Árpád be our example , whose light , life ,even after long centuries is shining , gathers us for prayer , gives warmth and for us the wanderers of life shows a clear direction.!
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
The Word of God
Jesus said to his disciples, "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Matthew 25:1-13
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Thursday 17 January 2019
‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Mark 1, 40
In my comings and goings I saw that the people of today carry lots and lots of burdens in their heart !! Fears, anger and many , many sins ! Over the years many smaller or greater , willingly or unwillingly committed , stumbling, sins and these “poisons “ are present in our lives , they pull us down, choking us, making our everyday a burden !! Unfortunately because we are not prepared to face them, or if we sweep them under the carpet , despite all that they still happen , they are there !! The man of our days by belittling , smearing them , forgot about repentance , reconciliation, starting anew the different methods of healing the body and the spirit !! Willingly or unwillingly we find ourselves in a world where we think naively like in the fairytales !! Unfortunately the fairies and dragons , the chemically pure good or bad people only exist there ! Here walking on this earth all of us erode , get dirty ! Only the great saints managed to get through life clean for a long time often through alleys leading to the core , but despite this they also cleansed their spirits in the waters of repentance, reconciliation !!
Jesus wants us to live our lives in our dignity as the children of God, clearly, happily , freely ! He forgives gladly His erring , sinning disciples , just like the father of the prodigal son his returning son forgiving lovingly , reconciling having a jubilee ! After Good Friday He does not reproach Peter and the rest of them for their little faith sins, but on the sores of the Sea of Galilei He bakes fish and reconciles , trustingly , reorganising the community He moves on "!4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”Luke 15, 4-7
We have an Advocate, Mediator in heaven , lets not drag along our sins, our trespasses , lets admit our smallness , our fallible weakness and with each other but also with our Creator God as well lets become reconciled , repentance, admitting sincerely our weaknesses , will free us , give us strength , will transform not only us , but our relationships with the world , our families ,our fellow human beings !
I lovingly share with you the teachings of the Catholic Church on the sacrament of reconciliation !! Lets dare humbly repent , it is quite certain that Jesus will also tell me what He said to the leper :"‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Mark 1, 40
Looking to be cleansed in the waters of repentance,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
The Word of God
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
Mark 1:40-45
