Be imitators of God

August 9, 2015 6:00 am

“All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.” (EPH 4:31-32.5:1-2)

Our Lord asks us today to “be imitators of God” as a married couple, as parents, friends, neighbors and members of community or society. Our LORD “handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God”, so we can “be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another,” making a gift of self, changing ourselves for the edification of our spouses or friends, and respecting their dignity and vocation. We can be “a fragrant aroma” for this world.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Jesus' tears

April 6, 2014 4:48 pm

“When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?”They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him”.” (J 11:33-36).

“See how he loved him”.  A very special relationship. Not a family, but friends. Connected by spirit. It is a real gift when we can be friends. Not because we are family members but because we are connected by something special.

Jesus invited us to be with Him as a friend. He has chosen us, because He would love to give us life, the eternal life. To be with us forever. We are so special in His eyes, so unique, so worthy. Even if we think that everything is gone, we are lost, empty, we are no longer worth anything – His friendship and love can bring us back to life. He cries out loud to everyone, as He called Lazarus from his grave: “come out”.

“I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me, will never die”. (Verse before the Gospel).

I have managed

September 8, 2013 4:30 pm

Perhaps that would be the shortest summary and closest to the truth. This time it was really very hard. For everyone the temperature: 27 grades was hard to bear. The last 12 km were on an asphalt road and in full sunshine. Legs just wouldn’t run. The only thing left was the will to run till the end.

It was an extraordinary experience to meet those I met last year. During a marathon everyone runs at their own pace, so sometimes you catch up with someone, someone catches up with you, you run for a while together, then again apart and again together. I was impressed by the runners who were older than me, sometimes much older. I managed to catch up with some of them. For a while.  .

This year I ran on my own. Nobody from our team could join me. I was all the more thankful to my sister Ania and my brother-in-law Paweł, who gave me moral support (and a drink) in the same spot as Jacek Kubrak did last year. And, what is more important, they ran a bit with me. And then they welcomed me at the stadium. Since I ran in the clerical collar, I was welcomed in Wolgasta as the priest-runner. Fortunately the end was in a good style – thanks to the magic of the stadium.

ObrazekThank you for your support. I finished the race only because of the intention of Pope Francis. Had it not been for it, I would have probably surrendered and walked until the end. I was also helped by Stas, who after his half-marathon ran in front of me and then till the end with me. Thanks to all of you who were sent by the Angels. See you at the next marathon!

With a thankful prayer

Father Jaroslaw

Obrazek

It's not outdated

August 20, 2013 10:03 pm

“But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”” (Judges 6:23)

When I read these words at the beginning of the day, my attitude to many matters and situations changes immediately.

Although I am grown-up, I need such assertions very frequently much as such a sensibility is outdated today. But I need a sense of security, I need a good word, I need a warm relationship.

I wonder how my family feel today. Do I give them this feeling of security in return, do I support them? Not only by thoughts but with concrete words, gestures. Perhaps they need it as well but they are ashamed to talk about them?

Regardless of what it is like, I would like to assure them about it because the Lord has told me about it today and has strengthened me.

Because “with God all things are possible”. (Matthew 19: 26)
Dorota

Programme 5

July 30, 2013 6:17 pm

We meet on this programme in the same group. This is this part of our programmes that we go through with the same people. For at least 3 years of working together. We are waiting for one more family that is coming any moment now. For the time being we meet just to be together, Like in a family. Or perhaps even more so because this is a family of choice. We look at the children, at the changes n our families and at new tasks that we took upon ourselves. We wonder where the Holy Spirit will lead us now.

Thank you for your support.

From Trzęsacz

Father Jarosław

brothers in arms

July 25, 2013 8:13 pm

A long time ago I heard a story that has stuck in my memory ever since.

War. Two brothers in arms. A company is forced to retreat under heavy fire. One of the two is severely wounded. After some time the latter becomes aware that the other one was left on the battlefield. He comes back, looks for him among the dead and finds him still alive. He takes on his back and carries him under fire.

When he reaches the camp, his friend is dead. His wounds were too severe and there was nothing to be done anyway. His colleagues ask him whether it was worth risking his life. He looks at them, astonished, that they ask such a question. He says, “When I found him, still conscious, he said “I knew you’d come”‘.

Coming back instead of pushing forward, taking a roundabout way, exposing oneself to a danger, giving one’s life for the others. Even among nonsense and turmoil. The final proof that you’re important to me. My husband, my wife, my daughter, my friend.

M