Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel….
Big cities of the world, do you recognise the Lord’s visit, the commandment of love ?
Today in Cairo a city of 22-23 million people we were visiting one of the quarters where 70000 people live, where they not only gather the rubbish, waste but they also recycle it , as it happens this is a Christian part of the city ! According to the local bishop one of the poorest areas of the world ! It is unfathomable the number of people who live their everyday , pray, work, accept and bring up children the best they can ! The many zigzag streets , the several storey high slums , shops , workshops , flats and churches !! Inscrutable chaos, people everywhere , young and old , and even in the coldness of November mountains of flies flying around ! The dramatic situation is further enhanced that this big city is on the hillside of the big city , at the top of it all is a magnificent ancient sanctuary that is decorated by enormous statues carved into the rock ! Saint Mark, evangelist, introduced Christianity here !
Jesus’ prediction knocks one back ! Is mercy lacking from God ? Is He capable of letting the destruction of such a metropolis ?! I do not know , but the fact is that the filth, the indifference of people is capable of burying such a city beneath the ruins , where people live and are hoping for a better future !
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
As Jesus drew near and came within sight of the city, He shed tears over it and said, “If you too had only recognized on this day the way to peace! But in fact it is hidden from your eyes!
Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all around you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation.”
Luke 19, 41-44