Make Time For What You Love

In His Heart

What an incredible encounter it was. Having an unique opportunity to pay visit to His Eminence Franciszek Cardinal Macharski, Archbishop Emeritus of Kraków, in his simple residence in the compound of "Ecce Homo" Shrine under care of Albertine Sisters, to celebrate the Holy Mass together, to have a long and lovely chat over a cup of coffee and a cake.

Polish President Bronisław Komorowski and H.E. Cardinal Macharski (more on this story here)

In my twenty six years of priesthood it was the very first time that I was a main celebrant in the Mass with His Eminence participating. A genuinely overwhelming honor.

Cardinal Francis seemed to be happy that I paid him a visit after a couple of years since my last one. Inspite of his fatigue due to his age, he was very generous to spend so much time with me (more than an hour), asking questions and offering witty remarks. He has not lost his cute sense of humor. So great to see him in such a great form and spirits.

I loved one detail in particular. His Eminence wore today a light blue clerical shirt (today is very hot in Kraków, over 30 C) with Kraków City emblem on his breast pocket. Apparently, our city is deep in his heart. And in his seclusion and silence of 'Ecce Homo' shrine, he prays for the city and all the people. He has all of us in his fatherly heart. Such a great man! He loves his city, he loves his people and cares for us. And in return, we love him!

Kraków City Logo

Slave In Master's House?

The Gospel reading of today's Sunday posed a valid question to ponder on in my personal reflection upon my own life and attitude. When I come for Sunday Mass to the church, do I enter it as a slave in the Master's house? Or do I enter it as a beloved son of God in the Loving and Merciful Father's House?

We have asked this question ourselves today in the Holy Mass when we reflected upon this Gospel's passage in the homily. And it appeared to many of us that we feel and act as slaves in the Master's House, trying to fulfill our duties and obligations, God's and Church commandments out of fear of God, fear of sin or pure sense of responsibility. Perhaps we have stopped in developing our living relationship with God at the point where this kind of cold, accountant-like, business-like relationship is the ultimate what we can think of.

Where is the space for love in this kind of relationship with God?

What is our treasure to which our hearts are powerfully drawn? Is it Loving and Merciful God? Or someone or something else?

What is my genuine motivation to be and live as Christian, the Child of God and the living member of His family - the Holy Church?

Is my keeping God's commandments, Church commandments and fulfilling my duties in the community based on sense of responsibility and duty rather than genuine love of God?

Food for thought.

The Avenues Of Love

November is my favorite month. The mystery of the Communion of Saints fully relived and experienced anew by the whole Church. All Saints Solemnity congratulating our sisters and brothers for passing the exam of holy life, worthy of God's accolade and acceptance in Heaven. Asking our champions to keep a watchful eye on us walking together towards the gates of Heaven...

Beyond Words

Prophet Elijah met with Living God face to face in a silent intimate encounter. He walked forty days and nights to reach the sacred meeting point... When he finally met with God, he did not need to say anything. His meeting happened beyond words...on a level where only pure Love and ecstasy lives...

Discretion

What rose my eyebrows and drawn my interest in tomorrow's Gospel, as I was in the process of working on my Sunday homily was the behavior of the person who found the treasure in the field and hid it again...Then went and bought the field without hinting to anyone what he found in that field. Why?
 

You Raise Me Up

This song, so powerfully and beautifully sung by Josh Groban, I wish to dedicate on this day, the Fathers' Day, to my Dad, my Godfather, my Granddads and all men in my life who represented to me the God Father himself, who raised me up, formed me, advised me, prayed for me, helped and took care of me in the process of growing up, education, human and spiritual formation, to all those who for me were always the best example of father figure in my life. Love, gratitude and respect!

Noone

"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life". (Jn 3:16) This is an astonishing statement of the Holy Spirit through the Evangelist Saint John. Limitless love and care of God made Him to sacrifice His only beloved Son for us. Not some cows, goats, chicken or even some of us for the sake of all... Do you still doubt that God is a loving and merciful Father who is ready to do everything divinely possible - for us? There is the other side of this message...

Mother's Day

Today, on May 26, Poles all over the world celebrate Mother's Day. As I wrote in my previous post, this day is of mixed feeling, praying for my late Mum, missing her so much and also praying for all Mums all over the world, starting with my Godmother, Grandmothers and all Mums who played a crucial role in the process of my formation, education and shaping me to who I have become. Without you, dear Mums, I would not be who I am now. I dedicate this song to all of you - with love, gratitude and respect. God bless you much. Praying for you always...

Proclaiming Love Of Life In the Face of Death

Yesterday along with a few people who have been friends with our foreman in construction projects - Mr Sayi Tumaini - we traveled to Malili - half distance between Kiabakari and Mwanza, to take part in the funeral of Sayi's Mum who died last Saturday after a very long battle with cancer...

Clad In Warmth

Tomorrow is the 'exciting' Valentine Day. Yet another commercial twister to spin spending in a dead market season between Christmas and Easter. In Tanzania, Valentine frenzy picks up gradually year by year, copy&pasting what others have been doing elsewhere in the world. I don't celebrate Siku ya Wapendanao (as they call it here in Swahili language) as I believe love is an all-weather, all-seasons sensation, decision, attitude, feeling, commitment... not a once-a-year jerk of conscience reminding one to proclaim love to the loved one and then remaining as a living routine, blunt relationship devoid of spark, connection and passion...

Faces Of Love 2010

Inspired by the new application on Facebook - My Year in Photos - I got an idea to dedicate this post to the Faces of Love of 2010. The faces of old and new friends - who I have met personally last year and were instrumental in making the year of 2010 such a remarkable time of my life. Unfortunately, I am in the possession of only a handful of pictures of persons I respect and love as genuine Faces of Love. That is why you will not be able to see all of them, though all of them are unique and critically  important to me. For this I apologize, but simply I have only their pictures imprinted in my mind and heart... For those whose pictures I publish, I did not put names under their respective pictures, because they are true revelations of one Love... Love of God... I place these pictures and persons depicted on them on the altar of my grateful heart. Without you, true Faces of Love, my life would become something else... Thank you for being there for me...The link to the album with Faces of Love is here.

Window Shopping Spirituality

As I was walking around the Manhattan, NY, absorbing sights and sounds of the city, I was stopped in my tracks by one shop window and the display shown there. It took me several minutes to move on as I went through the messages compiled there...

Intensity

The opening prayer of today's Mass of the Commemoration of St. Josaphat Kuncewicz, bishop and martyr, lays down in front of our spiritual eyes and conscience the following message:

Stir up within Thy Church, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the Spirit with which blessed Josaphat, Thy Martyr and Bishop, was filled, when he laid down his life for his sheep: so that, through his intercession, we too may be moved and strengthen by the same Spirit, and may not shrink from giving our lives for our brethren. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. ...

Mama

Just came back from the Rakowice cemetery in Kraków. It was dark and rainy. Close to the hour of closing the gates. Went to light a candle and pray at the grave of my Mama, Grandma and Grandpa. In just a few days I will fly to the unknown world and I do not know what to expect and what will happen. All my dreams and hopes I put in that tiny little flickering light of the candle. Asking Mama, Grandma and Grandpa to protect this journey and its outcome for the benefit of Kiabakari. Especially for the benefit of girls and ladies along with our Sisters, who still lack proper housing in Kiabakari...

Upon The Palms of My Hands...

Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady is just round the corner. I will celebrate it in Divine Mercy parish, a parochial community in Skawina, a town in the vicinity of Kraków, where I was asked to substitute for one of my colleagues, who is on vacation now. I will have an opportunity to raise mission awareness by preaching in all five Masses tomorrow and hopefully to collect some funds to pay for expenses of my new book. We will see how it goes... I am too old to be either overoptimistic or over-pessimistic. I guess I am more realistic with a positive attitude...

First Love

Today was my turn to help in Zanaki Parish (mother parish of Kiabakari, which was for a long time a center in the old vast Zanaki parish, then detached from it in 1991 when I started to work on Kiabakari center in order to make it an independent parish which happened the following year). The parish priest of Zanaki, Fr. Piotr Pawlus is on his vacation for three months in Europe, so we - his neighbors - come in turns to help with Holy Masses in the parish while he is away. My duty is to go there once a month and today was the first time I fulfilled my obligation.

Peter

Last liturgical celebration this month, and indeed in this first half of 2010. Saint Patron feast in Nyamisisye Stand district of Kiabakari township. St. Peter, the Prince of Apostles is the Saint Patron of that area comprising of five Small Christian Communities. They all met together at our treasurer's house compound. A very well prepared place for the celebration of the Holy Mass and the following celebrations. I must admit I was very impressed and proud of 'The Children of St. Peter Apostle'.