Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel 22 February 2018 Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
Repentance, absolution. Jesus Christ knows , what is in in people’s hearts, He knows , that we were born from a fistful of dust , we are fallible , we need forgiveness for our sins . He, Himself forgives everybody ! To the thief , on His right hand side who confessed his sin , He promises, that : “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus encourages us to confess our sins without fear , repent our sins sincerely. He gave His apostles power to forgive people’s sins :"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”Matthew 16, 19
If a snake would bite you, you would go immediately crying, to the doctor, sin is the bite of the evil spirit , do not linger , do your reconciliation , and regain your spiritual wholeness , health !! It is very important that in the holy period of Lent , very humbly to go to a priest , a specialist and asking for help to do my reconciliation. Not only my body, but my spirit as well is yearning to be cleansed , to be reborn !! I should love myself as well , and I should give a present to my body and soul, on the dusty roads of the everyday with a contrite reconciliation .
I belive in the sacrament of absolution,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:13-19
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Wednesday 21 February 2018
Faith -unbelief!! In truth the great mistake of Jesus’ contemporaries is that they failed to recognise the miracles of redemption happening right in front of their eyes !! People did not recognise in Christ the redeeming God .The first chapter of John’s gospel puts it very beautifully :"11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” John 1,11
The big question is that am I capable, after all do I want to accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, regard Him as my personal Redeemer. This the basic decision that determines our whole life ! In as much for me if Jesus born 2000 years ago is really the Son of God , Christ, Redeemer then I am a Christian !
To believe or not to believe ? This is the most important question of my life ! The people of Nineveh could believe in the word of Jonah , they repented and stayed alive! If I believe in Jesus Christ and I convert , I’ll remain alive , without Him I am a a falling down, drifting leaf !
With love ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, "This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!"
Luke 11:29-32
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Tuesday 20 February 2018
To become reconciled, letting go of other’s sin ! ? We are carrying incredible baggages individually as well and as a nation too ! Long passed wounds, hurts even thousand years old hostilities are flaring up here and there also! Jesus is right we have to let go each other’s faults, sins consciously ! The great year of the jubilee of mankind should come , when everybody forgoes their brothers’ debts and we could start anew with a clean slate!
I don’t know when mankind will come to its senses, but I could start in my own life by freeing myself from yoke of anger, fear and sin ! To live life in the freedom, peace as God’s child and banish far away from my heart the negative, tormented feelings towards my fellow human beings ! May my example be the child with a shining glance, whom our Lord Jesus Christ placed in front of me , whose mood may also “cloud over” , but within moments the blessed sun will come out again and the pure light will shine , in which everything will sparkle again in its own beauty ! We were not given the spirit of anger , but that of joy and if somebody either willingly or unwillingly frustrates our design , then don’t let them to spoil our inner peace as well by diverting us from our goal! We should not let any dark thoughts, hatred, sin enter the innermost sanctuary of our hearts! No sullied thoughts should enter the sanctuary of your heart !
It is lent, let us reconcile whole heartedly with each other , lets live in peace , love because where there is love, mercy God is present !
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Jesus said, "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 'Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6:7-15
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 19 February 2018
Christianity cannot be like a ghetto , it is not enough just to save our own spirit , even that is not enough if we just make certain the welfare of our family our immediate surrounding ! Even though there are the circles based on the priority of love ,after building from inside out our own ,our immediate surrounding, with determination with great love we have to start building the Kingdom of God !.The deeds of bodily , spiritual mercy are the building stones of the cathedral in which our Lord Jesus Christ will be our chief priest! Mankind’s most important task is to build this spiritual church , where God and man will be sitting at the same table where just like at the last supper our Master Himself will bathe, nourish His brethren with infinite love !
It is good to do good ! Lets become quiet in the holy time of lent , and consciously there where we are lets start practising with the spirituality of Jesus Christ the acts of bodily, spiritual mercy !!
With love ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’
Matthew 25:31-46
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Saturday 17 February 2018
" Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up, left everything, and followed him. “Luke 5, 27
Many people are drifting on their different ways and deep down in their hearts they desire to be deterred from that path that gives no joy for them! Jesus has the courage to offer Levi, Nicodemus, Zaccheus a new life genuinely and to many other people known from the gospel ! Today we are far too tolerant, we don’t dare to meddle in each other’s life , we don’t dare to give advice to each other! Jesus did not attend our schools , did not receive our sanctimonious “proper” education ! He calls John , Andrew without fear :Come and see where I live that night they already sleep at His place ! He calls Phillip : Come and follow me ! To the woman caught in adultery : Go and sin no more ! He even encourages that we also have the courage to caution our brethren and if we don’t , then will be called to for count for their sins as well !
How much do I dare , can, with humility , but determination with love show my worn out, drifting brother a new way , such a way on which I will also gladly accompany him?!
I encourage you with love , lets learn from Jesus , our Master and let us lead each other with great tact to the road of salvation !
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture : With our children from Nagyszalonta answering people’s questions in Budapest.
After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up, left everything, and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus answered, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance."
Luke 5:27-32
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel……Friday 16 February 2018
"The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?
The songbirds can be recognised from their nice colourful plumage ,, the redeemed , man in the state of grace about his optimistic good cheer , Cristian joy , because that fills their whole lives!According to Jesus Christ , the spirituality of the men who take their Christian spirituality seriously should be like the wedding guests at the festive feast . We are small , we tend to stumble , we know our own limitations , but in the thick of the worries , problems , in the quietness of the time of repentance the hearts of the good Christians the christlike serenity, optimism is hiding , that is the godlike magnificence of the light falling upon us through the widely opened door of the kingdom of heaven by our Redeemer!
Jesus’ whole earthly life is determined by the living faith in humanity , because if He doubted that we are capable to stand up from the dust and together with Him to step into the shining word of the Holy Trinity, then He would not have come on Christmas Eve amongst us , would not have taken on the earthly life , would not have climbed the Golgotha carrying His heavy cross ! Jesus our bridegroom loves us, He accepted huge sacrifices for us , that is why for us the lives of the Christians redeemed by His precious blood should be characterised by the joy of the bride glowing in mutual love !
With the worshiping of the one God in the holy Trinity ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Photo : the happy inhabitants of the childcare home in Déva.
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Matthew 9:14-15
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Thursday 15 February 2018
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. “Lk 9,22”
We delude ourselves by saying that problems, tensions can be solved when in most instances the reason for our efforts is to find a solution to the “cross”! Jesus is not talking about shutting out the cross from our lives , but we should carry our cross ! A child, a colleague, , a member of the family can be a cross ! In fact my homeland , my profession , my everyday work can be a cross as well, that we may try to run away from , I can give up the struggle , but then will the light of the Easter Resurrection triumphantly shine on my face ?
In a way if I quarrel with my companion , the break up , the separation, divorce , giving up the match, stopping my wanderings , will remove the cross from my shoulder , but also takes away the chance of reaching my goal, to become a champion , and enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Jesus does not give up on any of His disciples , does not send even one away , does not pack His bags on Palm Sunday , though that would have solved a lot of tension ! Jesus persists , accepts His cross , goes up on the Golgotha between the thieves !! How wonderful it is to see that our Master does not give up on His friends, His apostles , does not solve the tension of Good Friday by a big quarrel , by breaking away , but He gives His life for His own !
I encourage you lovingly , take your cross upon your shoulder and perseverance 4
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Photo : Life is a cross , accept it with a smile.
Jesus said to his disciples: "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
Luke 9:22-25
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel 14 February 2018 Ash Wednesday
The famous actor Arnold Schwarzenegger , sleeps in the street , under his famous bronze statue and writes sadly : “the times are changing….”When he was the Governor of California a hotel had a statue made in his honour . The hotel’s owner said to Arnold : “you can come at any time , there will always be a room for you .”When no longer the governor he went to the hotel to stay there, but it turned out that he had to pay for his accomodation. There on the ground in front of his statue he said : “lets not trust neither in position, nor money or power because it’s not going to last long ! When you are “important”everybody is your “friend” .But when you are no longer important then you don’t count anymore !”
How great it is to know that with God there is no first or last guest , since for Him even the least is important , the lost, the hundredth the dearest ! How good it would be if on our faces as well these beautiful features of God would shine and if we would not be preoccupied by people’s qualities , but our brother’s immortal soul .
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
'And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel. Tuesday 13 February 2018
What is the pharisees’ leaven ?! Jesus condemns hypocrisy , the illusion of piousness very much ! Unfortunately this spiritual leprosy can be found in today’s world at ever turn as well ! We regard ourselves as saints and condemn each other , we speak of them disparagingly, we don’t bring out the good , but the bad from them !We don’t sanctify our surrounding by prayerful , enduring goodness , but we try to make ourselves and others to believe , that brother is a reject , good for nothing , a disposable junk !
Would you like to find out where you are on the way of sanctity of life? The answer is very simple ! Next to Jesus Christ people became saints ! A saint is one, who sanctifies the people living in his surrounding ! If around you people are good, kind , diligent , honest , saints , then you can peacefully get on your knees in front of Christ and joyfully give thanks because you are treading on the right path ! But if you are surrounded by many wicked people , the you are a very long way off from sanctity of life and you should get down crying in front of your Creator and ask for yourself the grace of conversion, because it’s quite certain you are going on the way of the pharisees !
I ask you with love , quieten down , lets take a look at ourselves with humility and in the Holy Time of Lent lets aim for sincere repentance ! Lets not look at faults in others, but everybody should take a look at themselves !
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, "Watch out - beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." They said to one another, "It is because we have no bread." And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand?" Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?' They said to him, 'Twelve.' 'And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?' And they said to him, 'Seven.' Then he said to them, 'Do you not yet understand?'
Mark 8:14-21
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 12 February 2018
"The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus”
The canker of family life is arguing ! I encourage my children never to argue , because not good usually comes out, out of that, rather they should teach their carers to speak nicely ! They should show a good example themselves !If a carer asks something from them then they should reply nicely, smiling : “yes I am going to do it now !” or “of course , I am here you can count on me !” If a carer hears this or something similar to this , then not only will they learn this by heart, but if we want to ask something then they will gladly say “yes” or" but of course my dear child “!
The truth of the matter is those who tried this so far everything fell into place and I guarantee my services as a pedagogue , that is why I can happily state , that so far nobody came complaining that this does not work !
This has to be tried out in the family as well . It is very simple !! I dare say that your dear spouse will also learn quickly , and what you sow with goodness and patience that you can reap as well to the joy of the entire family !!
Lets embark on the Christian language lesson !
With love ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Photo : The group of children in our daycare centre in Gyergyóremete .
The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation." And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.
Mark 8:11-13
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Sunday 11 February 2018 6th Sunday of Ordinary time
Moved with pity, Jesus… Mark 1,40
Love , goodness, attentiveness !! Pure human emotions ?! It is good to see that Jesus is not a cold fish, but guided by love , goodness , emotions is carrying out His redeeming mission !! Nowadays so many people live with a cold, calculating indifference , and only by observing one compass, the economic indices do they make their final decision !! Yes unfortunately many, many people move forward apathetic , tired , paying attention to no-one and foolishly looking only at their momentary interests , consumes, possesses , piles up the “treasure” that rust will consume .
I encourage you lovingly lets embark on Jesus’ way and in all our work our heart should be filled by love and goodness and with merciful attentiveness let us follow our brethren’s everyday life !!!
With love ,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
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
