God cannot heal a proud person…  When it comes to Lourdes, there is no need to explain much. Everyone is aware of this pilgrimage site, and even non-believers can concede, given the overwhelming evidence, that numerous miraculous healings, beyond medical explanation, have occurred there. People primarily associate this place with healing and reverence for the Virgin Mary. For it is she who first appeared to the young Bernadette Soubirous on February 11, 1858; who let a powerful healing spring gush forth; and from an unknown town under the Pyrenees, she created a place where faith and hope triumph over weakness and hopelessness. It is the Virgin Mary who, on the feast of the Annunciation of the same year, introduced herself as the “Immaculate Conception”—and thus started the construction of the magnificent basilica. But at people becoming people, above all, it is the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Healing of the Sick, through whose intercession miraculous healings have occurred and continue to occur. Knowing that Jesus, the Son of God, is the healer makes her greatness and importance undeniable. And she is the one who, as it were, mediated this healing. As if she said to her son, “Please do something for that gentleman, Mrs. XY. And Jesus will do it. This is his response to his mother’s request. The situation was similar to what happened in Cana of Galilee. This Gospel was chosen very appropriately for today’s commemoration. We know that Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine by His Divine power, but the one who prompted Him to do this act was His mother. The Virgin Mary. There is yet another aspect to contemplate. What existed at the very beginning was human need and lack. Illness is also a lack of health and of strength. Sometimes the illness is banal, and a few days in bed are enough for it. But there are fatal, incurable diseases, those that medicine is already running out of. Some fight such an illness; others give up and resign. Some seek all possible and impossible ways and paths to recovery; others say, “God’s will be done,” and learn to live with their illness. They accept their illness as a given condition and strive for fulfillment in their lives, despite the limitations and helplessness it brings. (Which is, by the way, the best approach to illness.) And then there are those who set off for Lourdes. They travel to Lourdes in the hope of receiving healing. What will happen? Most likely, a miracle will not happen, because an estimated several million sick people come to Lourdes, while only around seventy have been miraculously healed in the century and a half since the Virgin Mary appeared there. Okay, what’s next? It may happen that many an unhealed person becomes bitter and blames God, the Virgin Mary, and the church for praying so much, for costing him so much money, and “for nothing.” Or he may return home, still on crutches or in a wheelchair, healed, peaceful, and grateful. Because healing has occurred. Not physical, but spiritual. The body remains sick, but the soul is strengthened, often even healed. How many deep and humble confessions has Lourdes heard! How many healed souls gave thanks in the Massabiello cave!

JESUS’ ADVENTURE in Bethany (cf. Lk 10:38-42) is sometimes understood as a dilemma between two ways of living a life of faith: either a person is like Martha, who devotes herself to the activities of this world, or like Mary, who concentrates on the things of God. However, we can also consider that both attitudes are necessary and complement each other: it is not necessary to give up ordinary jobs in order to be always with our Lord. St. Josemaría, repeating the teachings of the saints who accepted the religious life, wrote, “Jesus Christ must be sought in ordinary life – even among the pots and pans, as Mother Teresa said – in ordinary things. (…) God is there: among the books, among the laboratory equipment, at work in research or teaching; and he is also in the kitchen or among the cleaning tools or on the ironing board”.

When Martha complains to the Lord that her sister does not help in the household, Jesus answers her: “Martha, Martha, you worry and worry about many things, and only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen a better share, which will not be taken away from her” (Lk 10, 41-42). Christ does not call Martha to leave her own affairs. How else could He and the apostles eat and gain new strength? The master wants Marta not to forget the “better part”, what is “necessary”: to give glory to God and serve others with her work well done. Therefore, as the founder of Opus Dei wrote, “the time will come when it will be impossible for us to distinguish where prayer ends and work begins, because our work is also prayer, contemplation, and a true mystical life in union with God.”

Marta: when we are overwhelmed … 

PROBABLY we have found ourselves in a situation like Marta’s more than once. For a short or long time, we may have the impression that we will not achieve everything we set out to do. Perhaps we have a family to take care of, work responsibilities, and many unforeseen events that inevitably occur every day and require extra time and special attention: our illness or that of a loved one, a phone call or meeting at the last minute, work that takes longer, a breakdown at home, the need to have a more extensive conversation with a friend or colleague, etc. Then we wish that this period of certain stress would disappear as soon as possible, and quite rightly we desire for peace to finally come.

Martha’s reaction can tell us how to accept these moments when they arise: turn to Jesus and lighten up before him. “Cast all your cares on him,” writes St. Peter, “for he cares for you” (1 Pt 5:7). At the same time, the Lord’s call to focus on what is “necessary” can help us discover the meaning of those activities that may rob us of peace. They are not just side activities or duties, but ways in which we become saints and contribute to the good of those around us. This shift in focus probably doesn’t mean fatigue will disappear overnight or that we’ll be able to juggle tasks exactly as time-management experts teach. Even if we approach this noble ideal, the fatigue experienced with Jesus has a valuable meaning, because our efforts are not aimed at getting rid of our duties as soon as possible, but take on an ambitious dimension: to identify with Christ, who lived focused on the things of his Father and with an open, generous heart devoted himself to those who came to him.

This attitude explains “why the holy apparitions are filled with peace even in the midst of pain, humiliation, poverty, and persecution. The answer, as Blessed Álvaro said, “is very clear: because they try to identify with the will of the heavenly Father and imitate Christ”. That is, what we may have previously perceived as a threat that changed our inner life, we perceive differently: as an opportunity to grow in the ideals that sustain our life.

Mary: a word that informs about life …

MARY listens carefully to the words of Jesus. The way of perceiving his preaching is completely different from that of some Pharisees or scribes who, when the Master spoke, looked for something to accuse him of. She, on the other hand, accepted his teachings with love and practicality: she not only enjoyed the beauty of speech but also tried to make it her own and apply it to her own life. “When you open the Holy Gospel,” Saint Josemaría would suggest, “think about the fact that everything you read there – about Christ’s words and deeds – you not only have to know, but also to live. Everything that is said there was given there bit by bit in order to adapt it to the specific conditions of your life”

1. “Listening to God’s word means reading it and saying: What does it say to my heart? What does God say to me with these words? (…) God does not speak to everyone in general: yes, he speaks to everyone, but he speaks to each of us. The Gospel was written for each of us”[5]. In order to discover this personal meaning, God’s word must be leavened in us; that is, it is not enough to hear or read a passage once to understand its meaning, but it must take root in our hearts and minds. In this way, we can read the events that happen to us in the light of this word and perceive what the Lord wants to convey to us at every moment.

This is the attitude taken by the Virgin Mary. In her heart, she reflected on the events of her life that she did not understand, as well as those that filled her with joy. Our mother can help us to follow what the Son wanted to pass on to her in the house in Bethany: to give glory to God through our work and to listen to His word so that our whole life unfolds from.

They began carrying the sick on stretchers. How difficult it is to get to a doctor or healer who is rumored to be able to cure an illness for which normal medical assistance is not sufficient. Man is a social creature; he cannot live without others. But he easily forgets this. In the hospital, he suddenly feels it very clearly, especially when he cannot walk. It seems paradoxical, but we see it at every step: illness has a great social function in our lives. Friends are recognized on this occasion. But diseases also have a religious function. St. Ignatius of Loyola writes that there are no lesser gifts than health. St. Augustine fought against the main error that spread in the Western Christian world at the dawn of a new Europe. It was Pelagianism, the belief that a person’s natural powers and strong will were enough to live honestly and reasonably and do his work. So why would he need God? Over time, he would disappear from his life completely. But illness, injury, and physical weakness will come. They are the best preachers who convince us of how much we need God’s grace at every step. 

They asked to be allowed to touch the tassel of his garment.» We are at a place of pilgrimage. People feel a revered image, actually just a frame. In Rome, in St. Peter’s Basilica, they kiss the leg of a metal statue. It is so worn out that it needs to be replaced. Many are offended by this. They see in it superstition, fetishism, and God knows what other vices. But those who touched the tassel of Jesus’ garment were not in a better situation. Of course, a tassel, a statue, or a picture frame cannot save anyone. Jesus himself always emphasized on these occasions that it is faith that heals, not an external gesture (Mt 9:22). The actual value lies in his heart, his mindset, and his convictions. But man is a creature who speaks, who expresses his feelings outwardly. This is not done only with words but often with a mere small gesture, a look. The more people know each other, the fewer words they need. They give each other a sign with their hands. Gestures in religious expression convey similar meanings. Touching a picture frame has no value in itself, but it can be an expression of great trust. This then works miracles. 

.

Not long ago, an intriguing thought came over the radio. The editor was thinking about the present time and its signs. Finally, he stated, “What we have forgotten and what we must quickly learn is the art of resting.” Rest is essential. It is not wasted time but a time to draw strength to improve one’s own personality. Most of us understand and confirm the truth of this statement, but paradoxically, immediately reject rest due to lack of time. However, it is not right to blame the rapidly passing time or the restless time. After all, the sun always rises the same way—a minute always has the same number of seconds. The cause of haste is not in time, but in man.

The first serious reason is work, which can become a drug—it can even cause pathological addiction. In the beginning, there is a certain desire for a better life, behind which greed can sometimes hide. Man burdens himself with various burdens. The more there are, the more new and new needs appear. They consume every free moment. It is very difficult to free oneself from these burdens. The second reason may be an unsatisfied conscience. A person tormented by remorse throws himself into action just to silence the voice within him that accuses him of some guilt. If such a person cannot stop and does not think about his situation, he will never solve his problem.

The third reason may be poor rest. A person who thinks that he will relax by watching television is very wrong. Television programs only distract a person from thinking about themselves. At the same time, they shower him with a huge amount of unnecessary information. In order for a person to analyze it – that is what is needed. And that is so little. Although the reasons are different, they have the same consequences. These consequences include feelings of nervousness, restlessness, and constant fatigue. But the worst thing is that a person becomes numb in spiritual growth. The model of true rest is summarized in God’s commandment. We should celebrate the holiday with rest. But it is a rest that we are to spend with the Lord. Everything else is to be secondary.

This concentration technique in God gives rest. When a person refuses it, he must necessarily look for some substitutes. Psychologists have developed various relaxation techniques and recommend using them in the middle of the working day. Previously, a person did not need any technique, because at lunch, techniques would be silent before God and pray to the Angel of the Lord. techniques necessary. The question is, however, whether it solves anything. To be silent before God means to find the truth about oneself, about one’s own existence. To exist in translation means to come out of oneself. This process involves stepping outside oneself and retracing our steps to our original sources. The river is murky at its mouth, but in the place where it springs, it is clean and clear. Concentration brings us to God. He is the source from which we came out and to which we are heading. With God, our life becomes transparent. We clearly see what is valuable and what is inferior. What is important, and what is priceless? What is necessary, and what can we do without? When we become silent before God, many difficulties will fall from us. Ouroff’s life will also be more peaceful because we will not chase after unimportant things.

In addition, resting in God’s presence enriches and perfects our personality. Silence helps us find the model according to which we were created. This process requires a little patience. God’s light often comes like a neon light. Some time passes between turning it on and turning it off. If we persevere in silence, we will certainly experience a light that will not only illuminate the questions we carry within us but also show us the right solution. A person then walks the path that leads to perfection. Nervousness is replaced by joy, and restlessness is transformed into peace. In today’s Gospel, the Lord calls the disciples to a deserted place to rest. He also calls us. Let us accept his invitation to learn the art of resting in his presence.

Catholics of the Baroque Church …

Dear young friends! Years ago, an intriguing article titled “People of the Baroque Church” appeared in Tygodnik Powszechny. The author correctly states that for people of the 20th century, God is the God of ancient times.  They welcome Him when they enter the church and say goodbye to Him when they leave. They even feel good with the God of the past, preferably in a monumental church, with the God of “antiques”, and bad with the living God. Preoccupied with life, its things, and problems, they seek to forget everything. In the church, they also seek an escape from the reality of everyday life and somehow find it. Why is this so? This is due to our fear of accepting God as a living and current reality.  We are afraid of responsibility, effort, commitment, and change. We do not like to exert ourselves. We like external changes, but not internal and spiritual ones.  Mahatma Gandhi was once encouraged to accept Christianity. In response, these were his words: “I know the Gospel; I have read it many times and admire it, but I have not seen people living according to that beautiful teaching. Believe me, I love Christ, but I do not like Christians because I have not seen a truly Catholic life”. This is a serious rebuke to those who profess faith but don’t live by the Gospel.

“I ask you, as a priest, tell me why there is so much evil, theft, dishonesty among us, even though we are a Catholic nation, despite so many sermons, spiritual renewals, and confessions?” This is a question that young people once asked me in catechesis at school. We give praise to God when we take His word seriously, when we fulfill what He requires of us, and when we believe in what He has revealed and promised. In His eyes, only deeds have value. Words pass away. On the other hand, deeds shine and transform the world. “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth”

Already in the Old Testament, salt was a symbol of the chosen people, and the rabbis compared the Law (Torah) to salt in food. Christ also used this comparison to describe his disciples in the world. Salt gives food the right taste, cleanses and preserves, heals, and is necessary for the body. Each of us is to fulfill a similar role. With our life and behavior, we are to give taste and create an atmosphere of goodness and truth, love and peace. “You are the light of the world”. The Israelites often called the Law and the sanctuary in Jerusalem the light of the world. Light itself shines. It cannot be hidden. Light warms, attracts, guides, and shows the way. Light gives life, brings joy. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven”. Not only is Christ the light, but every Christian is the light. A lit candle does not diminish the light of the one from whom it was lit. We are to be an extension of Christ and His light. We must draw, not repel, with our lives to Christ, not to distance ourselves.

Each of us …

Dear young people! God and the world are not waiting for great and extraordinary gestures, but for ordinary, simple, and natural behavior. Today, people do not like artifice. They seek ordinariness and simplicity in everything, even in holiness. They seek ordinary, everyday courtesy. This is God’s Gift that everyone can give to others. The more we give it away, the more we will have. Courtesy and kindness are like a ray of sunshine, removing the darkness of the soul, sorrows and worries, suffering and tears, anger and hatred. It opens the doors of hearts and minds, showing beauty and joy, goodness and love, especially where there was sin, hatred, and blindness.

The Church is us. The light of my good deeds can change the Church’s understanding of its role in the world amid rapid change and overvaluation.  The Church has its history and many positive heroes. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati were declared saints by Pope Leo XIV on 7.IX.2025. Both were young, lay Italians who dedicated their lives to faith, prayer and care for the poor. Acutis, known as the “Influencer of God,” used technology to spread the faith and create websites about Eucharistic miracles, and Frassati was known as the “Saint of the Mountains and the Poor”, who dedicated himself to helping those in need. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati show that youth is not a time to wait for a serious life – it is already possible to love today. The canonization of the two young blessed shows that holiness is possible even today – young people can live the Gospel to the fullest, combining faith with everyday life, enthusiasm, activity on the Internet, and joint commitment.  Such a view of the world and life also changes the attitude toward God and the Church.

Agatha, a virgin and the ,,widow of Catania.

CURRICULUM VITAE

She was born in Sicily into a wealthy family. During the persecution of Christians, the imperial procurator Quintianus wanted to seize her and her property. All his efforts to make her turn away from Christ were in vain. Her heart remained unbroken and her firm mind could not be broken even by the later terrible tortures, during which her body was mutilated in the most cruel way. She died during the tortures.

CV FOR MEDITATION

BETTER TO SUFFER WITH CHRIST THAN TO REJOICE WITHOUT HIM

We have before us a saint who was among the most widely venerated in ancient times. Her name was even included in the liturgical canon of the Holy Mass. The oldest historical data date back to the 5th century, and the interviews in many biographies are just legendary stories. It can be reliably assumed that the entire life of Saint Agatha took place in Sicily, in the city of Catania. She came from a wealthy Christian family and excelled in both mental abilities and physical beauty. She fell in love with her Redeemer and rejected all suitors. She longed for a spiritual life, willing to make any sacrifice for her divine fiancé.

One of the rejected suitors took revenge by reporting her as an extraordinary Christian. At that time, the deputy of Emperor Decius Quintianus was probably staying in Catania, and after hearing a seductive story about Agatha, he wanted to win her for himself. He decided to send the unyielding Agatha to the brothel of the debauched Aphrodisia for re-education. Agatha would rather accept physical suffering, but she had to first pass a test in which she would prove her purity and nobility. When Aphrodisia returned her to Quintianus, she replied something to the effect that she would more easily soften stone and bend iron than overcome her stubbornness. Quintianus became angryto endure all torture bravel and when nothing helped, he had her tortured. They whipped her, stretched her in a vice, pricked her and burned her. The deputy’s sadistic desires were also manifested in the order to remove her breasts. According to legend, she was thrown into a prison cell without any treatment, and there Saint Peter appeared to her and healed her. Then she was subjected to new tortures on broken glass and hot coals, but she remained faithful to Christ and full of love until her last breath.

It is difficult to describe all the dimensions of reality. Legendary biographies help themselves by presenting conversations in which Agatha steadfastly resisted, pointed out the wretchedness of the gods, and indicated the difference between deities similar to Joviš and Christ. More credible is Agatha’s strength arising from prayer. It is precisely this kind of strength that we should be looking for when we are tempted to make some concession to some of the modern deities. It is better to suffer with Christ than to rejoice without him. To love him means everything with him. And “to love” is the main and greatest commandment.

Out of great respect, the Christians buried Agatha in a new tomb, and according to legend, on the first anniversary of her death, Mount Etna erupted, threatening to destroy Catania. The inhabitants, praying to Agatha, carried a sheet from her tomb against the lava, and it stopped.

RESOLUTION, PRAYER

I will pray the tenth rosary for moral purity.

God, your power is especially manifested when it works in the weak: you strengthened Saint Agatha to bravely endure all torture; help us also, through her intercession, to pass victoriously through all trials to the glory of your kingdom. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever.