We don't have to prepare for the end of the world, but for the resurrection, the new beginning, the building of God's kingdom, said Transylvanian Franciscan monk Csaba Böjte. Journalist Réka Zsuzsanna Szabó talked with the founder of the Saint Francis Foundation of Déva about his recognitions, the importance of patient love, freedom of speech and the importance of Good Friday as Pentecost approaches. We will look at this.

Father Böjte said in connection with the Nobel Prize nomination that "no one expects this, but I consider it important because it is not about the person himself, but about a case. If the embrace of children who have fallen and are in trouble is evaluated in such a positive way, it is a very important message for the whole society and for the children in trouble, that they matter to us, they are important, they are valuable. There are 20,000 children in state care in Hungary, 50,000 in Romania, so this is a "big industry". It would be good if society realized that these children are not a problem for the community, but an opportunity, a source of gold, and value.

In addition to 1,300 children, we work with nearly 300 colleagues, and it's really not easy, but that's what makes it exciting and interesting. It is a challenge for a person to do quality and good work despite all the difficulties.

It was very important in Europe when Descartes said: "I think, therefore I am." Critical thinking is a beautiful human trait. However, I feel that in the past centuries, Europe thought too much and perhaps brought less emotion into its relationships and life. Today's people also think about whether it is worth it or not, weigh it up, and the heart, love, and affection for each other are pushed into the background. Perhaps that is why many people take so many tranquilizers and antidepressants,

because man is primarily born to love and be loved.

I believe that we live in an unfolding, growing, beautifying world, that is, there are countless achievements that have grown out of two thousand years of Christianity, and which we should highly appreciate. Jesus Christ said to go into all the world and teach all peoples to keep the Ten Commandments and the commandment of love.

These are the constitution of God. If we are baptized, it is like the constitution of the state, that is, we must obey it.

The community that takes these divine commands seriously flourishes, unfolds, grows, grows in peace and strength. But where selfishness and greed prevail, there is decline, poverty, war and death. I believe that through these commands it is possible to build a society where we can all feel at home.

In the past thirty years, no one has been killed in Transylvania or Hungary for their faith or worldview. This is a huge thing: it means freedom. A blessed state, and one we should all live with. Hating each other will get you nowhere. I can also see it in the voters: I don't even want to sit down for a glass of wine with someone who talks snidely, because we have to learn to express our theories and thoughts to each other in a cultured and valuable way. Civilized people must be able to reason, argue, and convince others. The problem in Ukraine is precisely that the arguments and the dialogue have stopped, and the guns have started to sound. It's a dead end, it won't make anyone a winner. I wish that something like this never happens in the Carpathian Basin.

This year, the farewell in Csíksomlyó coincides with June 4, the anniversary of the Trianon Dictator, which is also the day of national unity. In this regard, the father said: June 4 was Good Friday for the Hungarians of the Carpathian Basin. But we all have Good Fridays in our lives.

The beautiful thing is that Jesus could love even with a pierced heart. He not only resurrected, but began to love. We must learn this from our Master so that we can not only live but also love even with a pierced heart. Pentecost is always a celebration of love, and in this sense we must look forward.

Among the orphans, one or another 5- to 10-year-old child has gone through so many hardships that one's heart sinks. But I also say to them, "I know, my little hearts, what you've been through, but if you always ride your bike looking backwards, you're going to fall hard." So you have to look ahead, the future is ahead of you. If you've scored a goal and you've sat down to think about why you scored it, you'll score quite a few more. But if you fight, you may be the next one to shoot and become champions. I also say this to our people:

Trianon cannot be undone, but somehow we must be able to let it go and look forward.

I think there was a big divorce case in Trian, where the residents of the Carpathian Basin got divorced. It is a sad and tragic thing, and not only for the Hungarian people. But the answer to this tragedy is not to continue to hate even after a hundred years, but to try to hold each other's hands.

Source and full article: Magyar Nemzet/Zsuzsanna Réka Szabó

Featured image: Liget.ro