Sisters & Brothers,

Walking into a bookshop we can see many interesting books. Some of them give us knowledge, some of them help us to relax. There is another type of book which tries to teach us and make our lives easier and better. There is a special section of a bookshop that has many different guides. Some of them can be helpful and beneficial, especially if we have some problems. But some of the guidebooks look a bit suspicious and magical. They promise to make us ‘millionaires’ in two weeks or to lose weight in a few days without any exercise or dieting. Some guidebooks promise solutions for any problems people have.

But this is nothing new. People always needed some guides to help them understand life. For ages we had ‘gurus’ who pretended to have answers to all people’s questions.

Sometimes it is difficult to recognise a good guide from a false one; people who want to help versus those who promise unreal or magical solutions.

Two thousand years ago people were seeking guidance as well. There were many who wanted to be leaders and give directions.

Today we heard the story about Jesus and the people who came to him to listen, to reflect and to follow his ideas. Jesus’ teaching was different. People could feel like his words had power, his teaching made sense and his guidance led them to a better place.

The common rules people heard before were: if you are stronger, smarter, bolder, you are better - if you do not worry about others, you are the best.

Jesus’ teaching on the Mountain is absolutely opposite to these rules. He encourages us to follow the example of his Heavenly Father. If we can be gentle and merciful in our hearts, we are like him, if our hearts are pure and thirsty for peace and justice, we are God’s children. We should be happy even if we are falsely accused, persecuted and gossiped because God looks after us.

Jesus’ teaching is difficult to follow. It is not easy to adopt these rules. But if we are humble enough to listen to Jesus, if we trust that God cares about us, that teaching on the Mountain will give us peace and assurance that we are not alone, that our efforts and struggling in this life makes sense.

Do you seek any guidance for yourself? Do you want to find the right direction? Many people are happy to give you advice, to show some paths. But are all of them good, do all of them bring us to the right place?

When you go to a bookshop or to a library you will see many books, books bigger and smaller, beautiful and simple. But choose wisely – take the guidebook which is good for you. Many want to give you advice, but Jesus gives us the best guidebook we need.

Have a blessed week.

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters & Brothers

It is not an easy task to start a new project. But it would be even more difficult if you knew a person who was unsuccessful. The failing of your friend or acquaintance takes your courage and confidence away. You can stop believing that your plan or idea makes any sense. Unfortunately, the people who heard about the persons project failing can discourage you as well. Because why waste your time and energy? Why start something that cannot be successful?

If you hear so many negative comments, if you meet so many discouraging people, what would you do? Would you be brave enough to start a new project anyway? Would you have courage to put down foundations for something that is uncertain? Do you have courage to follow your dreams? But, if you fail, what people will say?

Today “Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee”. He did not run away from Judea to a safer area, to a better place. He did not try to save his life. Not at all. The arresting of John did not scare Jesus but inspired him to start his own ‘project’. The sudden and tragic finish of John’s activity could not discourage him. Jesus went to Galilee to start his mission. Maybe he met people who tried to warn him, to give him ‘sensible advice’. Many people were worried about him. If Herod was able to imprison John the Baptist, the man people respected as a prophet, he could stop Jesus as well.

Despite the sensible advice and warning of many, Jesus started his mission, and he began to proclaim the Good News. Maybe not many people wanted to follow this ‘new preacher’, maybe some people were scared that he would share the fate of John the Baptist. But Jesus found a few disciples, people who believed in his new ‘project’. The Apostles were ready to leave their previous lives and follow Jesus and support him in his mission.

The lives of John and Jesus finished tragically, the founders of these new ‘projects’ were killed. But their missions were not failures. Maybe some people expected a different outcome, maybe they expected ‘fireworks’ and spectacular effects. But Jesus did not come to amaze people. He came to be faithful to his Father and his mission. His ‘project’ was successful. He started his mission with a few disciples and finished with the saving of the world and the conquering of sin.

Let us look at John and Jesus and have courage to follow their examples. We do not need to complete any spectacular ‘projects’. Like them, we have to be faithful to the calls we have from God. It is not ‘fireworks’ but faithfulness that is a success in God’s eyes.

Have a blessed week.

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters & Brothers

Vocation, calling - these are words which sound a bit old fashioned. Today people think more like ‘ambition’ and ‘career’. Nowadays people want to climb higher and achieve more ambitious positions. A better position means better income; a better income means a more comfortable life. For many there is nothing more valuable than this; it is not a family life, not a friendship, not moral issues.

Career and ambition - these are most important. Ordinary jobs are just for plebs. The everyday works are for people with no aspiration. How many times we could hear that kind of opinion? Success is a word we love today. What would John the Baptist say about that opinion? Would he agree?

Last week we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord, the baptism of Jesus. Today we meet the man who baptised him. John, as an older man, started his mission before Jesus. His job was to proclaim the Word of God, to call people for repentance and to baptize those who believed. And many believed, many followed his teaching. Most people who listened to him believed that John was a prophet of God. Some people even suspected that he could be the promised Messiah.

If only John was more ambitious, he could claim to be the one. But John the Baptist knew his vocation, he understood why God called him. John knew his talents and the skills he had. He was aware of the job God gave to him. His role in God’s plan was to prepare the way for the Messiah, to remind Israel that the time was coming, and finally introduce to people the Lamb of God who was coming to the world. John understood that he was a voice but not the Word, he was a witness but not the Truth, he was a servant but not the Lord.

Vocation, calling – what does it mean today? Do you have your own vocation? Does it mean you cannot have any career?

Today we look at John and we learn from him. Firstly, we have to recognize what is my vocation, what kind of talents and skills God gave me? Later, I need to understand that there is no such thing as a ‘better or worse vocation’. God needs us all: mothers, fathers, teachers, carpenters, and many others. We have to be the best in our profession. We should use all the skills and talents which God gave to us to serve others. Finally, let truth and love be our compass, our guide.

Let’s be like John the Baptist; be faithful to our vocation, to God’s plan which is the best map for our lives. Let’s say together with John: “I am the witness that Jesus is the One”.

Have a blessed week.

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters & Brothers

There are many important events in our lives. There are moments we can call milestones and they are the beginning of new chapters in life’s journey. It can be the beginning of primary school or the end of it; getting a diploma or other certificate of education can be another one. To have our first job or starting a new family can be other milestones in our development. We should be proud of many of these achievements and usually we are.

These moments form us, shape our identities and show who we really are.

What is your most important moment? What shaped or had a great impact on your life? Probably you have a few things in your mind. Do you think about your baptism in the same way? Did it change your life?

Today we are celebrating the Baptism of the Lord, the day when Jesus stepped into the Jordan River. It was a significant moment for him, when Jesus was publicly recognised by his Father. His baptism changed everything, it was the beginning of a new chapter in his life. For him the baptism was not an absolution from his sins; it was confirmation that he was the chosen one, God’s Messiah. From that day Jesus started his mission. That important event gave authorisation to Jesus to act, to visit villages and towns, to proclaim the Word of God and to heal people in need. But everything started from his baptism.

Let us ask that question again – what do you think about your baptism? When you get your school certificate you are encouraged to start a job, a new chapter in your career. You are educated; you are qualified to act.

We are baptised; we have baptism certificates. What does it mean for us? Baptism is a significant moment in our lives. That sacrament not only cleansed us of original sin, not only made us pure, but in that moment, we became children of God. What a great dignity! What a great privilege!

But baptism is not just to give us a personal benefit. In baptism we are obligated to be witnesses of God in the places where we live, work or study. Let Jesus who started his mission from his baptism be our guide and an example for us; let us try to follow his steps. Jesus taught people, gave food to the hungry and healed the sick. Showing the goodness of his Father was his mission. Let us try to do the same: let’s instruct people who ask, let us give bread to the hungry and look after the sick. Let our lives and actions confirm that baptism made us the children of God.

Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters & Brothers

Merry Christmas. The Christ is born! Rejoice!

What a beautiful day. What a wonderful moment to celebrate. This is the day we waited for.

As families, communities and a nation we have many dates to remember and celebrate. Many of them are important and special in many ways. We celebrate our birthdays, we remember significant anniversaries, like weddings or ordinations. As nations we have special days as well, for instance ANZAC Day or Independence Day. All these days give us happiness and an opportunity to reflect on our lives. Also, as the Church we have many feast days to remember Saints and important events, including Easter which is the most significant solemnity.

But Christmas is different than all other celebrated days. You can feel it. The beautiful story of Mary and Joseph who could not find room to stay overnight is well known, even to people who are not Christians. The narrative of St Luke about Jesus and Bethlehem, about shepherds and the Angels is touching people’s hearts. We can imagine Jesus, the Son of God as a helpless baby who depends on his mother, who depends on us.

Christmas Day is a special one. It changes people’s hearts. There is a beautiful and well-known story from the First World War. On Christmas Day 1914 German and British soldiers ceased fire, stopped killing each other and celebrated Jesus’ birthday together. Christmas changed them from enemies to human beings again. For a few days they were not troops, they were fathers, husbands and sons. Once again Jesus, the God’s Messiah, became the Prince of Peace.

This is a touching story. But we can share many others from our own experiences. We can see how open and generous people can be at this time. At Christmas time we support Vinnies and people in need, we visit more often the lonely people.

Let this time be special in our families as well. Let us have courage to be humans. We can show kindness to family members or neighbours who are difficult to live with. Maybe we can call to and chat with our brothers, sister or some people we have not talked to for years - sometimes we don’t remember why or who started it.

Let this Christmas Day make us brothers and sisters again. Do not let the Christmas story be just a tale. Make St Luke’s history be a reality. Let the light and love from Bethlehem shine into our homes.

Dear Sisters and Brothers, let this Holy Night bring you peace and joy. May Newborn Jesus give happiness and blessings to you and your family.

Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters & Brothers

Some people say that if you share your joy, you multiply it, and if you share your problem with others you half it.

Everyone is different. Everyone reacts differently. Some people want to talk about their feelings; others prefer to keep their inner thoughts to themselves. Sometimes people need time to pray and think about their problems. What is better: to share or to keep to ourselves? Can people help us anyway? But maybe sharing our problems makes us feel better? What is more beneficial? What to choose? Let everyone choose what he needs. Maybe sometimes we need both.

St. Joseph understood that dilemma. He had his own problem. A woman he loved became pregnant. What should he do? Talk to people, gossip with family and friends, or allow Jewish law to punish her? Maybe divorce her quietly? Or marry her with pain in his heart? What to do?

Joseph was a quiet man. We do not have a single word of his in the Bible. He loved silence. Joseph did not talk about his anxious issue to friends and neighbours. Could talking to people change the problem? Could sharing change anything? He kept it to himself. The only one Joseph could share his trouble with was God. To him he talked, to him he prayed. Only from God he expected wisdom to make the right decision.

Most of us can identify with Joseph. Many can say – I was in a similar situation, in a position where nobody could help me, no advice was beneficial. How many times did we try to talk to people, ask them for their opinions, to give us some advice? Many times, after discussions with family or friends we were more confused than before. But can people really understand your dilemma, your worries? Can they feel like you do? Can they understand your heart?

Today, God sent a message to Joseph, the same message he sent to Mary a few weeks earlier – “do not be afraid”; have courage to follow your heart, to follow your mind, do not worry what others will say. Have courage to do the right thing. Joseph, take Mary to your home and let Jesus be a part of your life.

In few days we celebrate Christmas. We will enjoy our families and friends. It reminds us how blessed we are to have them, their love, friendship and support. It is great to have them. But there are days, there are moments when we are like Joseph and only able to share our hearts with God. We know that we can talk to him, to share our dilemmas. Let us, like Joseph, take Mary and Jesus to our homes. With Jesus in our lives, we will not be afraid. With him we have courage to make the right decisions.

Have a blessed advent,

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters & Brothers

Waiting is a difficult task. Even when we are waiting for something nice. When we were children, we were waiting for Santa on Christmas night. How many times we were tired and fell asleep. I knew I should wait; I knew it’s time for presents, but I was too tired. Christmas time reminds me of that. But it was not only a time when I was too tired to wait. Even I expected my uncle or friends, a weariness was bigger than excitement to see them and I fell asleep. Many of us have a similar experience. We can expect and wait for a while for some people or events, but with time our excitement expires and weariness wins.

Every single Jew in Israel knew that the Messiah would come. They knew it because God foretold it so many times. Starting from the first book in the Bible, from Genesis and going through the books of the Old Testament, God sent that message to his chosen people. All prophets talked about the One who will be the Prince of Peace. Israel was excited and full of hope. They waited for a “new king David”. They waited day after day, year after year, age after age. Finally, the excitement expired, they were tired of waiting, weariness won.

John the Baptist, the ‘greatest man ever born’, the man who pointed to Jesus as the “Lamb of God”, even this man was confused. John, who was in a jail, sent his disciples to Jesus to confirm, to assure that he  was right.

Waiting is a difficult task. It was difficult for Israel, and it is not easy for us. People who believe in Christ wait for his second coming. They can be tired; they can feel weariness as well.

The time of Advent reminds us about these thousands of years when people were waiting for the first and later the second coming of Christ. And we are like the Old Testament people and early Christians waiting for him. We know he is coming because Jesus himself told us about it. But he did not tell us when. So, we are waiting. After so many years we can feel like children on Christmas night or the previous generations waiting for the Messiah, we can feel tired of waiting and weary. We can make the same mistake as the people of Israel made – by our tiredness we cannot recognize Christ when he comes.

Let us patiently investigate our hearts, because Jesus is waiting for us there. Let us remember that Jesus, the Messiah, is coming to us in the Holy Bread, whenever we are ready to open the door for him. Jesus himself is the greatest present for us. Not only on Christmas but every single day.

Have a blessed advent,

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters & Brothers

Human life contains many choices. We can say that life is a huge chain of choices. From our childhood to the last breath – constant choices. Some of them are very simple, like what to eat for breakfast. We do not think about them much. But there are more serious decisions we have to make daily or very often, like how to spend our money - what is priority of our purchase.

We have to make even more serious decisions: what will be my way of life? What I want to do in my life and what profession I should choose? In which country I want to live? With whom I want to spend the rest of my life? They are huge decisions; they are difficult choices. Sometimes we are happy with them, sometimes we regret them. We regret because we could do something better, we could make better decisions. We regret because we understand that if twenty or thirty years ago our choice was different, our lives would be nicer and easier. But regret is about our past. Usually, we cannot change it.

Today John the Baptist invites us not to look to the past but to think about the future. John does not encourage us to regret anything in our lives. He suggests not to regret but repent. The two words sounds similar; people use them interchangeably but in fact they are so different. When people regret usually they are focus on themselves, on their wellbeing. That feeling could be selfish. But John encourages to repent, that means to reflect on our lives and decisions, to think about consequences, material and moral alike.

Repentance does not lead us to sadness or depression but to action, to positive changes. It is not focussed on us but on others. Repentance focusses on our relationship to God, our relatives and friends. That reflection helps us to understand what impact on other people have our choices and decisions.

We are starting the second week of Advent. This is a time of waiting for Christ. It should be a time to reflect what kind of relationship we want to have with him and with people around us. Do we want to welcome Jesus in our houses? Do we prepare room for him? We have choices and decisions to make. This is the second week of Advent. Did you start already any preparation? If not, do not regret, do not worry about past week. Repent; reflect on what you can do today? What can you change and how can you use the coming time to be ready to see Jesus at Christmas?

Let us repent, reflect and make right decision that we do not have to regret in the future our choices.

Have a blessed advent,

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters & Brothers

Part of human life and nature is to wait. During our lives we wait for so many things: we wait to grow up, to see our parents, family or friends, we look forward to events or achievements. We constantly expect new happenings and new people in our lives. We do not know what kind of impact they will have on us and how they will change us and world around us.

Today begins the time of Advent. A special season and is observed by many Christian churches especially in the Western tradition. The Oxford dictionary says that advent means the “arrival of a notable person or thing”. Advent includes four weeks or four Sundays to be precise. A time of awaiting the arrival of a unique Visitor. We are waiting for our Saviour who is the Son of God himself.

This special season reminds us of the first ‘advent’, when the people of Israel waited for their Messiah. For hundreds of years, they expected God to send someone who would liberate them from occupation and enemies. The people of Israel waited for a strong political leader, a “new king David” who would give them a great kingdom and independence from the Persians or Romans. For ages God sent them prophets to prepare them for that moment.

Advent is a time of waiting for Jesus who is coming on Christmas day. But the season of Advent is not for passive waiting, it is not just about lazy sitting on the couch and waiting for Christmas for a few days. Advent is a time of preparation to be ready for that special moment. In today’s gospel Jesus tells us that we should be ready for the day of his arrival. Only those who prepared, who recognise the Messiah,  will be taken by him to his Eternal Kingdom.

The four weeks of Advent are symbolic. Representing our lives, different stages of existence. In December we will prepare our houses for the beautiful season of Christmas. Many will decorate houses, clean yards and cook delicious food. It is good to celebrate. But we cannot forget about deeper preparation. We have to have our spirits ready to meet Jesus. Not only at Mass at church. We need to make room for him in our hearts. We should “stay awake” and wait for when our “master is coming”.

Advent means “arrival of the noble person”. Let  these four weeks of Advent be for us the time of active waiting. With Mary, Mother of Jesus and with John the Baptist we look forward to meeting Jesus. Then we will enjoy his presence in our lives.

Have a blessed advent,

Fr. Bogdan

Sisters and Brothers,

The last Sunday of the year in the liturgical calendar is celebrated as the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. On that Sunday we acknowledge that Jesus is the lord of everyone and everything; we confess that Jesus has control of all creation.

Who of us, when we were children did not dream to be a prince or princess? Who did not want to be a king or a queen? We could be rulers, and everyone would serve us. But this was just a child’s dream and fantasy. But we want to ask ourselves what it means to be a king? We should ask what it means to rule others.

From our experience and human history, we know that most kings, princes and rulers were people hungry for power and focused on their ambitions. Using an army and other forces they wanted to control others. People in many empires and kingdoms were oppressed and used by those with power. Unfortunately, history teaches us that many rulers abused their power and focused on their own benefits.

Jesus is a king, but he is nothing like our earthly monarchs. Firstly, like Jesus said himself, his Kingdom is not from this world. It means he does not have soldiers and servants to protect him and serve when he needs. Jesus does not have an army to control others and shield his kingdom. Secondly, Jesus as a king does not think about himself and his own benefits, but he cared for others. Like it was described by the one of the Jewish leaders, Jesus “saved others”, he did not selfishly save his life.

The spiritual and physical wellbeing of his disciples, believers, and followers was more important to Jesus than his own. Finally, Jesus as a king did not have any throne or palace. In fact, Jesus had “no place to lay his head”. The only throne, the only place he could rule was his Cross. The Cross was the place and area where he conquered Death.

Jesus is a king. But for him to rule means to serve. He is the King – Servant.

Jesus is a king, and we, his disciples who were baptised, participate in his kingship. During our baptism we were anointed like Christ who became Priest, Prophet and King. Now we share his dignity. Like Christ we are rulers of this world. We have different positions to rule. We are mothers, fathers, teachers, managers and so many other positions. Let us remember that our ruling means to serve people we work with. We should imitate Jesus who as a king sacrificed his life to save people.

Today we share his kingship and his service. One day we will share his happiness, when Jesus invites us and says, like he said to a man on the other cross: “you will be with me in paradise.”

Have a blessed week,

Fr. Bogdan