The task of a Christian is to be the earthly prophet of God's heavenly kingdom and to proclaim hope with his life, words and actions, said the Franciscan monk Csaba Böjte.
In an interview given on the occasion of the Pentecost holiday, he expressed his opinion about Csíksomlyon's message to the Hungarians of the world, about faith, love and hope.
What does the Christian world celebrate at Pentecost?
We also love our own children, and if they get stuck, we stand by them with advice, love, and kindness. It is so good to know that the heavenly Father does not watch our struggle with his hands in his pockets, but stands beside us and helps us. He sent us his holy son. From Jesus we know that God is a great community of love. Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us so beautifully that the Holy Spirit sent among us by the Father reminds us of everything that Jesus taught. However, we can also know from the revelation that God is a community of love to which we have also been invited. We pray in the Lord's Prayer that the kingdom of God will come. The task of the Christian person is to be an earthly prophet of God's heavenly kingdom and to proclaim hope with his life, words and actions.
Not everyone can be a prophet. Or is it?
The kingdom of God can be reached by everyone. I could not believe in a god who chased a utopia with his children. If the heavenly Father's command to Jesus, to go and teach them to love, was impossible, then Jesus would have refused this, saying that he does not put a shoe on a dead horse. By coming among us, he sent a message that this is indeed possible. And this is also why the Holy Spirit comes among us at Pentecost, because he believes and confesses that man can grow up to the God of the creator.
What message does the Pentecost holiday have for Hungarian society?
In the shadow of pandemic and war situations, we are all a little alarmed. We live in fear and anxiety. It would be good for Hungarian society to calm down with faith and trust, asking for the help of the Holy Spirit-Lord, to come to itself and make good decisions. Our mission is to create a sustainable world in light of the necessary career changes.
The coming of the spirit of divine love is still relevant today. And not just because there's a war going on in our neighborhood. I feel that love is also a rare treasure in other parts of Europe.
We do not live in a static world. We don't have to preserve perfection, we have to constantly recreate it. When Jesus said: be perfect like my heavenly father, he didn't just mean morally, but in every way. In this sense, we must constantly recreate the world. And for rebirth, we really need God's Holy Spirit.
Where can we find it?
In ourselves. If we search for it in silence and prayer, we will find it.
There are three virtues—also called divine virtues—that qualify man's faculties to share in the divine nature. One of these is the already mentioned love, which comes from the other virtue, faith. How are we doing in this area?
Our people are basically believers, even if many of them are not even baptized. The Christian virtues that our Lord Christ brought to earth, such as love, dialogue, or mercy, have taken root in us far and wide. There was an election here in Hungary. Not everyone liked the outcome, but no violent atrocities occurred. I think that the heavenly Father could have told his Holy Son that, look, they were baptized a thousand years ago and have come this far. It is a great thing that we were able to discuss such a serious issue together and make a decision without a single slap in the face.
I think the guiding star of the spiritual renewal we are talking about now shines above Csíksomlyó.
I consider it a great thing that we have the desire to meet each other, our God, and the blessed Virgin Mother. This desire brings us together at the Pentecost farewell party in Csíksomlyo. It's great to see so many people coming year after year. I would also like to emphasize that most of the pilgrims - but certainly the people of Székelyföld - make the holy confession and sacrifice. So they don't just go to Csíksomlyo for the farewell whirlwind, but for the spiritual experience. I used to observe with joy that when I sit in the confessional together with my priest brothers, we are surrounded by a tsunami of confessions. People come to get rid of their mistakes, sins, and weaknesses. Because we long for purity. To live in love and peace.
Featured image: István Biró / MTI/ MTVA
