Christianity is not only a nation-preserving force, but also a nation-creating, nation-creating force, said Zoltán Balog, pastor president of the Synod of the Reformed Church of Hungary on Thursday in Budapest.
At the ecumenical service held on the eve of the celebration of the founding of the state, Zoltán Balog emphasized: faith never begins with a declaration signed by all members of a community, but with a personal decision. And if this decision is authentic, it will become a community force.
He pointed out: in the work of our first king, István, these two, personal faith and responsibility for the community, meet where only an authentic, faithful Christian can meet: in prayer . That is why he wrote to his son, listing the essential characteristics of a Christian ruler: "prayer is the greatest contribution to royal salvation."
Zoltán Balog, explaining the story of the blind Bartimaeus in the Gospel of Mark, emphasized that they have faith in King Stephen and Bartimaeus, who was healed by Jesus. And the faith of both of them became a communal force: Bartimaeus's became a disciple following Jesus, Stephen's became a nation.
Blind Bartimaeus answered Jesus' question, "What do you want me to do with you?", "Master, that I may see again." István offers this prayer to his son:
Lord, leave me not in deceitful thoughts! Send down wisdom to help me in my work, in governance, so that I can recognize what is pleasing to your eyes".
They both ask for the same thing: to see. And whoever asks for this admits his blindness, that "without God we are blind". It takes courage to say this, and István was brave in this too.
He saw those around him for whom he took responsibility, he knew the values of the Hungarians, but he knew and was sure that "until God opens our eyes, our wealth can turn against us," he said.
"This knowledge is our heritage, which Saint István transmitted as a postman, because he himself received it". The knowledge that comes from a greater dignity, the creator and liberator, added Zoltán Balog.
Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Reformed Bishop József Steinbach, president of MEÖT, Evangelical Bishop Péter Kondor, János Papp, president of the Hungarian Baptist Church, Albert Pataky participated in the service organized by the Ecumenical Council of Hungarian Churches (MEÖT) and said a prayer. , the president of the Hungarian Pentecostal Church, Khaled A. László, the superintendent of the Hungarian Methodist Church, Vilmos Fischl, the general secretary of the MEÖT, chief rabbi Róna Tamás, representatives of the Hungarian Orthodox churches and the Anglican Church.
Among others, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, Mayor Gergely Karácsony and Zoltán Lomnici, President of the Human Dignity Council, were present at the service.
Source: MTI
Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák
