Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 12 November 2018
"If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea", and it would obey you.” Luke 17, 6
In Sydney I was able to visit The Australian National Maritime Museum , where one can find for instance the sailing boat of James Craig from the 19th century, as the original replica of Captain James Cook’s ship the Endeavour in her original size as well.
In all the boy’s adventure books the ships appear , and the series of the action packed voyages !! The sailing boat appearing in the picture was made of wood -according to the museum’s data - it went around the world twelve times ! How much faith was needed that during long months , years alone, without internet connection one crosses the infinite ocean ? How many storms, difficulties happened to this ancient vessel , that nowadays nicely renovated, lacquered is swaying on the peaceful waters of the bay , whilst its companions are quietly resting in their watery graves !? I was standing in front of these respectable, beautiful sailing boats and I was pondering whether the faith of the man of today , his enterprising spirit , his endurance, stamina , stubbornness can it be measured compared with that of our predecessors ??
For me this visit at the museum , beyond the objects of the exhibition , was also an insight into the manly power of ones willing to face everything , the bravery that surfaced in life threatening difficulties , into the greatness of man pushing the boundaries of nature to its limits as well !! I admired the wise designing work of the engineers , that people almost at the level of masters exactingly carried out working with wood , iron ore , fitted out with the ropes, sails made out of natural materials , then trusting in God’s caring, loving goodness with living faith on the deck set out towards unknown territories , lands ! It is possible that the sailors drank , committed sins inconceivable for us , but with corouge, determination in difficult conditions , tenability lead these hand-built vessels , on the stormy oceans of the world guided them into the safety of the harbours of far away parts of the world and this is of such a value that I respectfully can bow my head before it.
May God grant us that the man of the XXIst century as well can solve the seemingly impossible tasks of this day and age with such determination, persistent faith, bravery , inventiveness !!
With respect ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e..
Jesus said to his disciples, 'Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, "I repent", you must forgive.' The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied, 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could 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 Monday 12 November 2018