O co
właściwie
nam chodzi?
strona ks. Wojciecha Węgrzyniaka
Wojciech Węgrzyniak
Pochodzę z Podhala a dokładnie z Mizernej. Jestem księdzem od 6 czerwca 1998 roku. Przez pierwsze 3 lata kapłaństwa byłem wikariuszem w Krakowie na os. Ruczaj. Potem wyjechałem za granicę.
Pięć lat spędziłem na studiach w Rzymie, trzy następne w Jerozolimie. Od października 2009 roku pracuję na Uniwersytecie Papieskim Jana Pawła II w Krakowie. Moja specjalność to nauki biblijne a dokładniej Stary Testament. Mieszkam przy Kolegiacie św. Anny w Krakowie, starając się pomagać również w duszpasterstwie.
Planowane rekolekcje
2013
Dla kapelanów Wojska Polskiego, Częstochowa, 23-26.09
WSD Radom, 3-8.12
Duszpasterstwo Akademickie, Kraków, U Dobrego, 15-18.12
Bęczarka, 20-22.12
2014
Duszpasterstwo Akademickie Most, wielkopostne, Wrocław, 5-8.03
Duszpasterstwo Akademickie u Brata, wielkopostne, Kraków, 30.03-2.04
Parafialne wielkopostne, Kwaczała, 6-9.04
Kapłańskie, Ziemia Święta, sierpień/wrzesień
WSD Łomża, koniec września
Parafialne - Niepołomice, koniec października
2015
Rekolekcje o Słowie Bozym, Krościenko, ferie zimowe (5 dni)
Parafialne wielkopostne - Kraków - św. Jadwigi
Parafialne adwentowe - Jaworzno-Szczakowa
2016
Parafialne wielkopostne - Chrzanów-Kościelec
2017
Parafialne wielkopostne (V Niedz. Wlk.Postu)- Sułkowice
2018
Parafialne wielkopostne (V Niedz. Wlk.Postu)- Nowy Targ, św. Katarzyny
Wygłoszone rekolekcje
1998
Parafialne wielkopostne – Kwaczała, marzec
ONŻ O st. - Bystra Podhalańska, sierpień
1999
ONŻ I st. - Babice, lipiec
Ewangelizacyjne - Młoszowa-Chrzanów, październik
2000
Misje parafialne - Kraków, Piaski Nowe, 26.03-2.04 (wraz z ks. Janem Nowakiem)
ONŻ II st. - Groń, lipiec
Dla młodzieży - Kraków, Kurdwanów, 24-27.09
Parafialne adwentowe - Niegowić, grudzień
2001
Parafialne wielkopostne - Dębno, marzec
Parafialne wielkopostne - Frydman, marzec
Dla Liceum Męskiego oo. Cystersów - Kraków, Szklane Domy, 9-11.04
ONŻ III st. (ogólnopolskie) - Kraków, lipiec
2002
ONŻ O st. - Osieczany, lipiec
2003
Parafialne wielkopostne - Dębno, 13-16.04.2003
Parafialne adwentowe - Kraków, os. Ruczaj, 17-20.12
Parafialne adwentowe – Krempachy, 20-23.12
2004
Dla I LO w Krakowie, marzec
Parafialne wielkopostne - Niedzica, 28.03-31.03
Parafialne wielkopostne - Raba Wyżna, 4-7.04
Parafialne adwentowe - Kraków, Prądnik Czerwony (Jana Chrzciciela), 19-22.12
2005
Parafialne wielkopostne - Nowy Targ, św. Katarzyny, 12-18.03
Parafialne wielkopostne - Dębno, marzec
2006
Dla szkół średnich w Wieliczce, marzec
Dla inteligencji - Myślenice, marzec
Parafialne wielkopostne - Harklowa, kwiecień
2009
Parafialne adwentowe - Kraków, os. Ruczaj, 12-15.12.2009
Dla Stowarzyszenia Civitas Christiana - Kraków, Łagiewniki, 4.12.2009
2010
Parafialne wielkopostne - Kacwin, 17-20.02
Dla VIII LO w Krakowie, 8-10.03
Dla młodzieży i nie tylko - Kraków, kościół Miłosierdzia Bożego, 9-11.03 (pomoc włoskiej Szkole Ewangelizacji „Sentinelle del Mattino di Pasqua”)
W Bazylice Mariackiej (Parafialne wielkopostne i dla Bezdomnych), Kraków, 21-26.03
Dla pracowników nauki - Kraków, św. Anna, 28.03-1.04
Misje parafialne - Prostyń, 22-31.05
Dla przygotowujących się do Bierzmowania i młodzieży – Nowy Targ, 8-10.09
WSD Hosianum - Olsztyn, 27-29.09
Dla katechetów – Sokołów Podlaski, 15-17.10
Dla katechetów – Nurzec Stacja, 26-28.11
Dla rodziców - Kraków, Biały Prądnik (u ss. Duchaczek), 6-8.12
Dla Duszpasterstwa Akademickiego adwentowe – Warszawa, św. Anny, 12-15.12
2011
Dzień skupienia - WSD XX. Sercanów w Stadnikach, 19-20.01
Misje parafialne - Leńcze, 6-13.02
Dla Duszpasterstwa Akademickiego wielkopostne "Daj się zaprzęgnąć" - Kraków, św. Anny, 10-13.04.
Dzień skupienia "Między kobietą a Panem Bogiem" - WSD XX. Saletynów w Krakowie, 28-29.05.
Z okazji jubileuszu 500-lecia parafii p.w. Trójcy Świętej w Prostyni, 18-20.06.
WSD Drohiczyn, 28.09-2.10.
Kapłańskie - Ziemia Święta, 3-12.11
Dla XX. Chrystusowców z Misji Polskiej - Bochum, 20-21.11
Parafialne adwentowe - Kraków, MB Ostrobramskiej, 11-13.12
2012
WSD Kraków, 21-25.02
Parafialne wielkopostne - Kraków, Dobrego Pasterza, 25-28.03
Dla kapłanów rocznika święceń 1982, Maniowy 9-12.04
Parafialne, przed peregrynacją Obrazu Jezusa Miłosiernego - Maniowy, 17-20.05
Dla katechetów diec. Bielsko-Żywieckiej - Pogórze, 29.06-1.07
WSD Katowice, 26-30.09
Parafialne, przed peregrynacją Obrazu Jezusa Miłosiernego - Chrzanów, św. Mikołaja, 4-7.11
Dla katechetów archidiec. Krakowskiej - Zakopane, 15-17.11
Dla katechetów archidiec. Krakowskiej - Zakopane, 7-9.12
Dla Duszpasterstwa Akademickiego, adwentowe - Radom, 9-12.12
2013
Dla katechetów archidiec. Krakowskiej - Zakopane, 7-9.02
Parafialne wielkopostne - Linz, 15-17.02
Dzień skupienia - Wiedeń, 17.02
Dla pedagogów i wychowawców - Kraków, Bazylika św. Floriana, 18-20.02
Dla katechetów archidiec. Krakowskiej - Zembrzyce, 7-9.03
Parafialne wielkopostne - Katedra Wawelska, 24.02/3.03/10.03
Duszpasterstwo Akademickie - Kraków, św. Szczepan, 10-13.03
Dla nauczycieli - Kielce, 14-16.03
Dla Sióstr Urszulanek - Rybnik, 1-3.05
Dla XX. Chrystusowców z Misji Polskiej - Bochum, 8.06
Życiorys
(z 24.02.2011 na potrzeby nostryfikacji dyplomu doktorskiego)
Urodziłem się 21 marca 1973 w Niedzicy jako najmłodsze dziecko Władysława Węgrzyniaka i Wiktorii z domu Zązel. W latach 1973-1977 mieszkałem w Maniowach a następnie w Mizernej, gdzie część rodziny mieszka do tej pory.
Po ukończeniu w 1988 roku Szkoły Podstawowej w Kluszkowcach uczęszczałem do I LO im. Seweryna Goszczyńskiego w Nowym Targu. W roku szkolnym 1990/1991 zakwalifikowałem się do III stopnia XVII Olimpiady Geograficznej, natomiast w roku 1991/1992 zostałem finalistą XVIII Olimpiady Geograficznej i I Olimpiady Nautologicznej oraz dotarłem do II stopnia Olimpiady Historycznej.
Egzamin dojrzałości uzyskałem w 1992 r., po czym wstąpiłem do Archidiecezjalnego Wyższego Seminarium Duchownego w Krakowie, rozpoczynając tym samym przygotowanie do kapłaństwa i studia na Papieskiej Akademii Teologicznej.
Święcenia diakonatu otrzymałem 8 maja 1997 roku w Skomielnej Białej. Zgodnie z wytycznymi formacji seminaryjnej ostatni rok przed święceniami kapłańskimi spędziłem w Kwaczale, ucząc religii w szkole podstawowej i pomagając w parafii jako diakon.
W 1998 roku uzyskałem magisterium z teologii na podstawie pracy napisanej pod kierunkiem o. Augustyna Jankowskiego OSB zatytułowanej Κoinonia z Bogiem w Pierwszym Liście Jana Apostoła. W tym samym roku, 6 czerwca otrzymałem święcenia kapłańskiego z rąk kard. Franciszka Macharskiego.
W latach 1998-2001 pełniłem funkcję wikariusza w par. Zesłania Ducha Świętego w Krakowie na os. Ruczaj, m.in. ucząc religii w Szkołach Podstawowych 151 i 158 oraz w Gimnazjum nr 23. W roku akademickim 2000/2001 odbyłem studia licencjackie na Papieskiej Akademii Teologicznej w Krakowie zwieńczone tytułem licencjata z teologii ze specjalnością biblijną. Praca magisterska została uznana za licencjacką. Promotorem był o. Augustyn Jankowski OSB.
W latach 2001-2006 studiowałem w Papieskim Instytucie Biblijnym w Rzymie. W roku akademickim 2003/2004 byłem reprezentantem studentów Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej oraz członkiem senatu akademickiego tegoż instytutu. W czerwcu 2004 uzyskałem stopień licencjata z nauk biblijnych. Teza zatytułowana "En aletheia kai agape" (2 Gv 3). Richiamo al duplice comandamento nella lettera del Presbitero alla Signora eletta (“W miłości i prawdzie [2 J 3]. Wezwanie do podwójnego przykazania w liście Prezbitera do wybranej Pani”) została napisana pod kierunkiem Johannesa Beutlera SJ.
W latach 2004-2006 kontynuowałem studia w Papieskim Instytucie Biblijnym w Rzymie przygotowujące do doktoratu.
Od maja do lipca 2006 pracowałem w Sekretariacie Kardynała Metropolitalnej Kurii w Krakowie.
W październiku tego samego roku rozpocząłem studia doktoranckie we Franciszkańskim Studium Biblijnym w Jerozolimie, zamiejscowym Wydziale Nauk Biblijnych i Archeologii Papieskiego Uniwersytetu Antonianum w Rzymie (Pontificia Universitas Antonianum. Facultas Scientiarum Biblicarum et Archaeologiae). W 2007 roku uzyskałem status Candidatus ad Doctoratum i rozpocząłem pracę nad tezą doktorskiej pod kierunkiem prof. Alviero Niccacci OFM (SBF, Jerozolima) i prof. G. Barbiero SDB (PIB, Rzym). Praca doktorska zatytułowana Lo stolto ateo. Studio dei Salmi 14 e 53 (“Głupi ateista. Studium Psalmów 14 i 53”) została obroniona 30 stycznia 2010 roku. Oprócz wspomnianych dwóch moderatorów, recenzentami pracy doktorskiej byli M. Pazzini OFM (SBF, Jerozolima) i A. Mello (SBF, Jerozolima). Ekstrakt pracy doktorskiej został opublikowany w lutym 2010 w Jerozolimie przez wydawnictwo Franciscan Press. Na tej podstawie uzyskałem dyplom Doktora Nauk Biblijnych i Archeologii, zatwierdzony przez władze Papieskiego Uniwersytetu Antonianum w Rzymie dnia 25 maja 2010 roku.
W czasie moich studiów zarówno w Rzymie jak i w Jerozolimie uczestniczyłem w różnych kursach językowych: jęz. włoskiego w Rzymie; jęz. angielskiego w Leicester, Maynooth, Londonie i Nowym Jorku; jęz. niemieckiego w Bonn i Salzburgu oraz jęz. francuskiego w Lyonie i w Angers. Ponadto w czasie wakacyjnym pomagałem w różnych parafiach i wspólnotach religijnych. Przede wszystkim we Włoszech (Roccagorga, Spadafora, Borgo san Donato, Pieve i Maresso), w Anglii (Leicester, Kirkham, Louth, Skegness i Londyn), w USA (Chicago i Nowy York), w Niemczech (Wesseling i Traunstein), we Francji (Lyon) a także w różnych parafiach na terenie Polski, gdzie wygłosiłem kilkanaście rekolekcji parafialnych.
Od 1 października 2009 roku zostałem zatrudniony na Uniwersytecie Papieskim Jana Pawła II w Krakowie na stanowisku asystenta w Katedrze Egzegezy Starego Testamentu. Rok później zacząłem pełnić funkcję opiekuna Samorządu Studenckiego oraz opiekuna I roku teologii o specjalności katechetyczno-pastoralnej. W 2011 zostałem adiunktem tej samej katedry.
Od 2009 roku należę do Stowarzyszenia Biblistów Polskich.
Poza publikacją kilku artykułów z dziedziny biblijnej, wygłosiłem referaty na sympozjach w Krakowie (Łagiewniki, wrzesień 2008; UPJPII, kwiecień 2010), w Płocku (WSD, listopad 2009), w Lublinie (KUL, sierpień 2010) oraz wziąłem udział w konferencji naukowej na temat Księgi Psalmów w Oxfordzie (wrzesień 2010). Ponadto opublikowałem 4 tomy homilii i kazań.
Od końca września 2009 roku zamieszkałem przy Kolegiacie św. Anny w Krakowie z zadaniem pomocy duszpasterskiej w parafii, należąc jednocześnie do grupy trzech wykładowców z UPJPII, którzy zostali skierowani przez Metropolitę do sprawowania pieczy nad duszpasterstwem pracowników nauki miasta Krakowa.
W 2010 zostałem wybrany członkiem Rady Kapłańskiej Archidiecezji Krakowskiej.
Who are you at Cana? (2C)
Jerusalem-Notre Dame, 14th January 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters.
We have read about the wedding at Cana and we see it very well: the guests, the lack of wine and the joy because somebody is able to resolve the human troubles.
But we don’t want only to look at the miracles. We don’t want to be simple spectators. Because we know: Cana is happening today. So we ask: Who are we at this wedding? Who are you at this wedding?
1. Maybe you are Mary.
Maybe it is you who know the problems of your friends. Maybe you understand better than the others what does need your mother, father, brother or somebody in your job. Maybe it is you who can speak with Jesus about it, who can ask Jesus, because it is you who believe in him.
Maybe you are Mary... Aren’t you?
2. Who are you at Cana?
Maybe you are Jesus who has the power to do something good. Maybe you think it is not yet the time, perhaps later. Maybe the people ask you to do something. And you can. Because you have today time, because you have today money, or because you have today a good heart.
Maybe you are Jesus.. Aren’t you?
3. Who are you at Cana?
Maybe you are one of the server. You don’t understand why you have to do an extraordinary work. Maybe you are doing today a lot of things you don’t understand. Perhaps you are angry or annoyed because of some difficult demand. But you are doing it. In silent. You don’t say anything. You are suffering.
Maybe you are a server.. Aren’t you?
4. Who are you at Cana?
Are you a bridegroom?
You began a new life. You started to do something special, maybe school, work, relationship or something else, and immediately you see that something is wrong, you feel that the people will not be satisfied with you. You are afraid that all will finish badly. You don’t understand that in the moment of your trouble it is Jesus and Mary who are speaking how improve this unpleasant situation. You are thinking only: what a shame! I will lose it like a bridegroom was about to lose wine.
Maybe you are a bridegroom.. Aren’t you?
Dear Brothers and Sisters.
The wedding at Cana hasn’t finished. Today we are invited at this weeding. We are invited in this world where God is still doing the incredible and impossible miracles.
Whoever we are at Cana of the modern world, let us remember, we are witnesses of the powerful and ever-loving God.
What, if not money? (19C)
New York, St. Margaret, 12th August 2007
Dear Friends in Faith.
Last Sunday we spoke about money.
Jesus said: Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.
Jesus warned about money. But if not money what else?
Today’s second reading has no doubt.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he sojourned in the promised land.
By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac.
Today’s second reading is only an abridgement of the eleventh chapter from the letter to the Hebrews. If we go there we can read more:
By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain's.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death.
By faith Noah built an ark for the salvation of his household.
By faith Joseph, near the end of his life, spoke of the Exodus of the Israelites.
By Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king's fury.
By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell.
What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.
By faith.
If not money what else?
Only faith. Nothing else.
By faith I’m not afraid of the death. I know the afterlife is better than now.
By faith I’m not afraid to be alone. I know who believes is never alone.
By faith I’m not afraid of any man. Jesus says to me:
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.
By faith I’m not afraid to lose anything. Saint Paul says to me:
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.
By faith I’m not afraid of the hate:
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you.
By faith.
I believe in God, because he says to me:
Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, My love shall never leave you.
I believe in God, because he says to me:
Can a mother forget her infant? Even should she forget.... I will never forget you”.
I believe in God, because he never lies, he never exploits me, gives me power and joy, and certainty my life is not gong to be wasted.
I believe in God because even though I’m not better than unbelievers, he forgives me all my sins and give me peace in my heart.
I believe in God because I can’t believe in myself.
I promise in every confession that I will improve and I don’t.
I want to be a good Christian and still I do a lot of things against my faith.
I believe in God and I trust him.
That’s my life, my money, my fame.
That’s my world.
I agree with the today’s second reading.
Everything by faith.
I agree.
And you?
What about you?
Che cosa é piu importante del denaro? (19C)
New York, St. Margaret, il 12 agosto 2007
Cari amici nella fede!
Domenica scorsa abbiamo parlato dei soldi.
Gesù ha detto: "Fate attenzione e guardatevi dall'avarizia".
Gesù ammoniva di non dedicare tutta la vita al denaro.
Ma se è così che cosa potrebbe essere più importante del denaro?
Se non soldi - che cosa?
La seconda lettura di oggi non ha nessun dubbio.
Per fede Abramo, chiamato da Dio, obbedì partendo per un luogo che doveva ricevere in eredità.
Per fede soggiornò nella terra promessa.
Per fede anche Sara, sebbene fuori dell'età, ricevette la possibilità di diventare madre.
Per fede Abramo, messo alla prova, offrì Isacco.
La seconda lettura di oggi è soltanto l'abbreviazione del capitolo undicesimo dalla lettera agli Ebrei. Questa lettera parla delle persone che hanno fatto tutto per la fede. L’autore della lettera finisce la sua meditazione cosi:
E che dirò ancora? Mi mancherebbe il tempo, se volessi narrare di Gedeone, di Barak, di Sansone, di Iefte, di Davide, di Samuele e dei profeti, i quali per fede conquistarono regni, esercitarono la giustizia, conseguirono le promesse, chiusero le fauci dei leoni, spensero la violenza del fuoco, scamparono al taglio della spada, trovarono forza dalla loro debolezza, divennero forti in guerra, respinsero invasioni di stranieri.
Per fede.
Grazie alla fede non ho paura della morte. So che la vita dopo la morte sarà migliore di questa.
Per fede non ho paura di essere solo, So che chi crede non è mai solo.
Per fede non temo di nessuno. Gesù mi dice: " Non temete coloro che uccidono il corpo e dopo non possono far più nulla”.
Grazie alla fede non ho paura di perdere qualcosa. Gesù mi dice: per la vostra vita non affannatevi di quello che mangerete o berrete, e neanche per il vostro corpo, di quello che indosserete; la vita forse non vale più del cibo e il corpo più del vestito?
Per fede non temo l'odio: Beati voi quando vi insulteranno, vi perseguiteranno.
Tuto grazie alla fede.
Credo in Dio, perché egli dice:
Se i monti si spostassero e i colli fossero rimossi, il mio amore non si allontanerà da te né il mio patto di pace sarà rimosso.
Credo in Dio, perché egli dice:
Si dimentica forse una donna del suo bambino,
così da non commuoversi per il figlio delle sue viscere?
Anche se queste donne si dimenticassero,
io invece non ti dimenticherò mai.
Credo in Dio, perché egli non dice mai le bugie, non inganna mai, ma è il fonte della forza e la gioia.
Credo in Dio perché anche se non sono migliore di quelli che non credono, egli mi perdona tutti i miei peccati.
Credo in Dio perché non posso credere in me stesso.
Quando mi confesso prometto di non fare gli stessi peccati e poi faccio gli stessi.
Voglio essere un buon cristiano è sempre mi capita di fare le cose che sono contro la mia fede.
Credo in Dio. Ho fiducia in lui.
Questa è la mia vita, i miei soldi, la mia fama.
Questo è il mio mondo.
La fede.
Tutto grazie alla fede.
Senza la fende - Niente.
Nel mio paese c’è un proverbio: Senza Dio non attraversare neanche le soglie della tua casa. Con Dio puoi andare anche al Calvario.
E che ne pensate voi?
Tre parole sui soldi (18C)
New York, St. Margaret, il 5 agosto 2007
Oggi, dobbiamo parlare dei soldi, perchè ne parla Gesù.
Vorrei dire in merito soltanto tre parole.
1. La prima è la domanda:
"Che cosa raccogli nella tua vita?"
Puoi dire: Sono più ricco che 20 anni fa?
Puoi dire: Ho più soldi che 40 anni fa?
Gesù non ha detto: Non puoi accumulare il denaro.
Gesù non ha detto: essere ricco è un peccato.
Gesù ha detto: "Fate attenzione e guardatevi dall'avarizia, perché la vita di uno non consiste nell'abbondanza delle cose che possiede".
La domanda è:
"Che cosa raccogli nella tua vita?"
Puoi dire: Sono più santo che 20 anni fa?
Puoi dire: Prego meglio che 10 anni fa?
Puoi dire: Conosco Dio meglio che nel tempo quando ero bambino?
Puoi dire: ora, amo più mia moglie che nel giorno del nostro matrimonio?
"Che cosa raccogli nella tua vita?"
Sarebbe molto triste, perfino tragico morire col pieno stomaco ma con il cuore vuoto.
2. La seconda parola è sulla verità.
È vero che i soldi sono i più importanti?
È vero che più ricchi sono più felici?
È vero che sei niente se sei povero?
Ringrazio Dio ogni giorno che egli mi ama non per la mia tasca o per la mia posizione.
Ringrazio Dio che ogni uomo ha lo stesso valore agli occhi divini: che il presidente degli Stati Uniti oppure il Papa non hanno più valore di quelli che muoiono di fame ".
Ringrazio Dio perchè egli dice agli uomini che pensano soltanto del denaro: "Sei stolto!”
Ringrazio Dio che lo dice in modo fortissimo perché non si può parlare con le parole belle quando si tratta del male inguaribile.
3. L'ultima parola riguarda il nostro dovere.
Non vi conosco ancora, ma sono convinto che non soltanto qui, ma in ogni angolo della terra noi, cristiani, dobbiamo mostrare agli uomini il proprio atteggiamento ai soldi. Dobbiamo fare questo, perché è la questione della vita e della morte.
Noi, cristiani, non invidiamo agli uomini che sono più ricchi di noi.
Non ci preoccupiamo tanto del denaro.
Non ci lamentiamo quando non abbiamo tanti soldi.
Non diventiamo pazzi per la mammona. Non truffiamo nel lavoro.
Siamo onesti.
Paghiamo le tasse.
Non rubiamo.
Non siamo schiavi del Dollaro.
Siamo contenti di avere i soldi.
Ma siamo più felici quando abbiamo Dio, la famiglia, l'amore e la fede.
Siamo più felici di avere le cose che non passano mai.
Ecco la verità sul denaro...
About money (18C)
New York, St. Margaret, 5th August 2007
Today we have to talk about money.
This is not the first time and not the last time when we speak about it. This is just the proper time.
So let me tell three words: a question, a truth and a duty.
1. The question is:
“What do you gather in your life?”
Can you say: I am richer than 20 years ago?
Can you say: I have more money than 40 years ago?
Jesus didn’t say: You must not gather money.
Jesus didn’t say: It is a sin to be rich.
Jesus said: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
So the question is:
“What do you gather, what do you amass in your life?”
Can you say: I am holier than 20 years ago?
Can you say: I pray better then 10 years ago?
Can you say: I know God better than when I was child?
Can you say: Now, I love more my wife than in the day of our wedding ceremony?
“What do you gather, what do you amass in your life?”
I hope, you agree - It would be very sad, even tragic to die with the full stomach and an empty heart.
2. The second word is truth.
Is it truth that money is the most important?
Is it truth that richer people are happier?
Is it truth that you are zero, total nonentity, if you are poor?
I thank God, every day, that he loves me not because of my pocket or position.
I thank God, that every human being has the same value in his eyes: that the president of USA or the pope are not more valuable than the starving people”.
I thank God that he says to the people who think only about money: “You fool”.
I thank God that he says very strongly because there is no place for nicely speaking when the man is terminally ill.
3. The last word about money is duty.
I don’t know your society very well, but I’m convinced that not only in USA but in every corner of the earth we, the Christians, we have to show people the proper attitude to money. We must do it, because it is the matter of the life and the death. That’s our duty.
We don’t envy people who are richer than us.
We are not worry about cash.
We don’t complain that we have to few money.
We are not going mad for dough.
We don’t cheat in job.
We don’t steal.
We pay taxes.
We are not slave of Dollar.
We are just happy to have money.
But we are happier to have God, family, love and faith.
We are just happier to have things that never pass away.
Way, duty and mercy (15C)
Leicester, 15th July 2007
Dear Brother and Sisters.
Let me say just three words.
1. The first word is about way.
Why “a man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho”?
Didn’t he know that this way was very dangerous?
Couldn’t he predict the consequences of that journey?
Why he decided to choose so unsafe path?
If you were in the Holy Land you know that there is no another way to go from Jerusalem to Jericho. There is no other possibility to get Jerusalem from Jericho. If that man lived in Jericho he had to go to Jerusalem and come back because it was impossible to be a true Jew and to not visit the Jerusalem temple at least once a year.
What does it mean for us?
Don’t complain about your life!
Don’t grumble: This way is very dangerous!
Don’t gripe: My Christian’s life costs me too much.
There are ways we should take if we want to be true Christians, even at any price.
2. The second word is about duty.
Yesterday I was passing through the subway next to De Montfort University when I met a man who was begging. I was not the first person who was asked for money. He was not the first person begging who has received quite nothing from me. Just one smile and “God bless you”.
More than from the priest from today’s gospel. Less than from the Samaritan.
We can find a lot of excuses to justify our laziness but none of these justifications can help the people who are in need.
If Jesus has chosen priest and Levite to present his parable he wanted to say to all Christians: “Be attentive!” It’s very easy to bypass the people if anyone seems to be closer to God.
3. The last word is about mercy.
Since the Beginning of the Church the Saint Fathers saw in the Good Samaritan the figure of Jesus Christ. He is the one who sees the misery of the humankind, the humankind beaten by the sins and foolishness. He is the one who is treated by many people as a stranger and an enemy. Even though, Jesus Christ come to you and to me, because he was been moved with compassion seeing our troubles. He bandages our wounds with the love, pours oil of the Holy Spirit and wine of the Eucharist and he carries us to the church to tell to all of the world. “Look after him” “Look after the man who is poor, beaten and wounded. Look after the man who needs your help. I will repay you on my way back when I come at the end of the ages. Look after the man because I’m looking after you”.
Just three words: way, duty and mercy.
I suppose it is not so difficult to understand the gospel even it was written in Greek and to understand the homily even it was said by a polish priest. The problem is the same as 2000 years ago:To be a man when you see a man...
About hell (21C)
Chicago, St. Camillus, 26th August 2007
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. (Phl 2:12)
Dear friends of the same faith.
I would like to say just two words.
1. The first word is about hell.
Do you believe in hell? Do you believe that it is possible to be condemned for ever? Do you believe it is possible not only to waste life but even eternity?
I don't know about you, but I have impression that nowadays the faith in hell is not common. Even though we have heard about heaven, purgatory and hell, we think: ‘God is love so everybody will be saved. Maybe Hitler, Stalin, maybe Osama Bin Laden are in danger, but not us.
Somebody once asked the pope John Paul II: "His Holiness, Have you heard that about 50% of bishops don't believe in Satan? The pope wasn't surprised. He just answered: If it is true, 50% of bishops don't believe in the Gospel".
Do you believe in hell...?
I don't want to scare you. I'm just reading with you today's gospel and I see:
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough."
I'm reading today's gospel and I see:
"I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!"
I'm reading today's gospel and I see:
"There will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see [... ] yourselves cast out.”
Saint Paul understood this passage of the Gospel very well since he wrote: "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Phl 2:12)
2. The second word is about ‘what is possible‘.
If we take seriously the Gospel about salvation and condemnation, we probably begin to ask: ‘Is my father who died last year in heaven?’ ‘What about my cousin who has never attended mass?’ ‘What about my children who say: ‘we don’t believe in God‘. These questions are like the question from today’s gospel: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
Jesus didn’t answer this question. Or better to say: Jesus answered in another dimension. He changed the perspective: “You, strive to enter through the narrow gate”. He changed the theoretical question in a concrete challenge.
It was 3 years ago. I was then in Traunstein, in Germany. I used to say Mass for 4 weeks in a convent of German sisters. And there was one, very old sister who used to go every day to the chapel after listening to the news on TV. I asked her: ‘Sister, I admire you. First, because you listen to the news every day, and second because afterwards you always go to the chapel. Why do you do it?’ “Father“, - she answered - “I listen to the news because I want to know if people have problems and I go to the chapel because they do. I am just old, so all that I can do is to pray.
If we take seriously the Gospel we probably begin to ask: “What about my salvation, what about my friends and my family?”. But if we really take the Gospel seriously we should do what is possible to save ourselves and those whom we love. We should rather do something than ask for everything.
Dear brothers and sisters.
I wanted to say just two words: about ‘hell’ and about ‘what is possible’. Not because you are going to go to hell and not because you do nothing for your friends’ salvation. I did it because you have the right to know more today than yesterday.
It is true: God loves everybody.
It is true: God wants to save all people.
But it is also true: God says: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough."
What is the Bible?
What is the Bible?
1. The Bible is a mirror.
In a mirror you can see all things you see in your life. You can see your room, your clothes, even the sunset. And in a mirror you can see one thing that you can’t see without a mirror. It’s your countenance, your face.
The Bible is a mirror. Only in God’s words you can recognise yourselves, your own countenance. Without the biblical mirror you can know the world, but you will never know who you are.
What is the Bible?
2. The Bible is an invitation.
Maybe you don’t like invitations. Maybe you think immediately about money you have to pay for it. Don’t worry…
The Bible is an invitation to new life, to a party with the saints, to a weeding with Christ, to a banquet of Eucharist, to a conversation with your heavenly Father.
The Bible is an invitation. Don’t answer, please: I regret I am unable to accept your kind invitation...
What is the Bible?
3. The Bible is a conscience.
Conscience is the part of you that tells you whether what you are doing is right or wrong. Unfortunately we don’t like listen to the voices that say us: “You are wrong”. That’s our generation. Kids are marvellous. Parents are brilliant. Priests are wonderful. Even the government is not so bad. Obviously we complain but because of the fate and about the others.
The Bible is a conscience, sometimes a pang of conscience.
Maybe that is reason why we don’t read the Bible to much…
Skegness 2006
What do you eat every day? (18A)
Leicester, 4th August 2002
My brothers and sisters!
What do you eat every day? What do you eat?
God says today:
"Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty:
Buy corn without money, and eat,
And at no cost, wine and milk".
And you? What do you eat every day?
God says today:
"Listen, listen to me and you will have good things to eat,
listen, and your soul will live".
And you? What do you eat every day?
Psalmist says today:
"The hand of the Lord feeds us:
he answers all our needs".
And you? What do you eat every day?
Psalmist says today:
"The eyes of all creatures look to you
And you give them their food in due time".
And you? What do you eat every day?
Jesus says today:
"No one lives on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God".
And you? What do you eat every day?
Dear friends!
It is impossible to live without daily bread.
It is impossible to be a Christian without daily God's word.
How many times did you eat the word of the Lord last week?
How many times will you eat the word of the Lord next week?
My brothers and sisters.
Is it not the greatest tragedy to die with the full stomach and the empty heart?
PS. This is the first sermon I preached in English
Baby, do not be afraid! (15.08)
New York, 15th August 2007
My brothers and sisters!
The world is our home.
The church is a cradle.
Mary is our mother.
We are the children and like children we afraid of many things in this world.
Today in this solemn day, the day of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Holy Mother comes to us and says: "Baby! Do not be afraid!"
The first fear is the fear of evil.
Sometimes we cry:
"Mum, I'm afraid of Satan. He appear in the sky of my life, like a huge red dragon in the first reading. He is very intelligent - he has seven heads. He is very strong - he has ten horns - the symbol of power. He seems to be a king with a coronet. He stops in front of my life and he want to destroy Jesus, who is born in my heart by Holy Baptism, by sincere Confession, by His Holy Body in the Sacrament of Altar. He want to destroy my husband, my wife, my children, my neighbour. He laughs at the people because they say: "Satan? Impossible! That is only fable!"
Mum, I'm afraid of Satan who destroys my world."
"Baby!" - says Mary - "do not be afraid of Satan!
God is stronger than Satan. In the first reading "the child was taken straight up to God and to his throne, while the woman escaped into the desert, where God had made a place of safety ready."
Do not be afraid of the devil, but only be closer to Jesus!"
The second fear is the fear of death. We cry again:
"Mum, I'm afraid of death. I'm afraid of dying! I'm not sure, what will be after the death. I'm not sure, will I meet my family yet? will I meet my friends yet? I'm weak and I don't want to suffer. Mum, I'm afraid of death."
"Baby!" - says Mary - "do no be afraid of the death!
Death came through one man but in the same way the resurrection of the dead has come through one man. Just as all men die in Adam, so all men will be brought to life in Christ: Christ as the first-fruits and then those who belong to him, who belong to him!
Do no be afraid of the death, but only be closer to Jesus because he is "the resurrection and the life. He who believes in him will live, even though he dies".
The third fear is the fear of people. We cry again:
"Mum! I'm afraid of people!
The world changes own face. The people become jealous, greedy, unfaithful, proud, arrogant, thinking only about money. I'm afraid of the people who I meet, with who I speak, with who I work!"
"Baby!" - says Mary - "do not be afraid of the people!
Look at the Gospel. Perhaps not all people are so good as Elizabeth as Zechariah, but don't forget: You must be good! You should be good! You must love! You should forgive!
"God look upon the lowly and exalt their.
The hungry God fills with good things.
He has come to the help of Israel."
He will come to the help of you.
Your life may be is not easy but remember the word of the Lord:
"Do no be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul."
My brothers and sisters!
The world is our home.
The church is a cradle.
Mary is our Mother.
We are the children.
Today, when we are celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Lady, she says from heaven:
"Look at me! And do no be afraid.
My Son is with you always, to the end of time!"