St.Paulinus

Posted on 27. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, we reflect on the life and legacy of St. Paulinus of Trier, a shining example of faith, courage, and leadership in the early Church. St. Paulinus was a bishop who lived during a time when Christianity was still growing and often faced fierce opposition. His story offers us timeless lessons about standing firm in faith, serving with humility, and trusting in God’s providence.

St. Paulinus was known for his unwavering commitment to the truth of the Gospel. During the early centuries of the Church, heresies threatened the unity and purity of Christian teaching. Yet, Paulinus did not shy away from these challenges. He courageously defended the Nicene faith, affirming the divinity of Christ and the central truths revealed to us by God.

In his role as bishop, Paulinus demonstrated deep pastoral care and dedication to his flock. He was not only a teacher but also a protector, guiding the Christian community with wisdom and compassion through difficult times. His leadership reminds us that the role of a shepherd is to lead by example—grounded in prayer, rich in charity, and firm in faith.

Moreover, St. Paulinus experienced exile for his convictions, showing us what it means to suffer for righteousness. When we face trials for living out our faith, we look to him as a model of perseverance and trust in divine justice. He teaches us that God’s glory often shines brightest through our hardships.

As we remember St. Paulinus today, let us ask ourselves: How can we embody his courage and faithfulness in our own lives? Are we ready to stand firm in our beliefs when they are tested? Can we offer our communities the same care and leadership that he showed? And when difficulties come, do we trust like St. Paulinus that God’s grace will sustain us?

May the example of St. Paulinus inspire us to live boldly, love deeply, and serve faithfully. Let our hearts be strengthened by his witness, so we too can proclaim Christ with courage and joy.

Let us pray:
Lord, grant us the strength and courage of St. Paulinus. Help us to remain steadfast in our faith, to serve one another with love, and to trust in Your providence through every trial. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we might shine Your light in the world. Amen.

Visitors counter: 87
Posted in Nezaradené | Leave a comment

Hope

Posted on 26. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

St. Thomas Aquinas says that the only object of our hope is eternal bliss in God. Therefore, we should not hope for anything less than He Himself.

But let us look at ourselves. Can I be saved? Do I have that hope when I look at my own life, at the many things I fail at, at the awareness of my own sinfulness? We also ask ourselves as people asked when John the Baptist was born: What will this child become? (cf. Luke 1:66) However, there is an essential difference here. The question about John was full of hope. “What then will this child be?” was strongly felt with the sense that “Indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.” But in our case, the question is more connected with fear and despair. What will happen to me, a poor sinner? We ask, like St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans, when he reflects on doing not the good he wants, but the evil he does not want. “Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).

So how to have hope when looking at oneself and one’s own sinfulness?

As a priest, I have one extraordinary privilege that others often do not have. I have the grace to be close to people. Believers come for spiritual conversations and in doing so they bestow upon me a very beautiful and fragile gift—their inner self. It is hard to put into words how wonderful it is to assist God in the most amazing work, in the formation of conscience, in the salvation of a person. And during this activity, I meet many beautiful souls. I marvel at the longing for God hidden in many believers. I am amazed by the strength and courage with which many fight and search. I take my hat off to the bravery and determination of many others.

I meet young people from all kinds of family backgrounds. They have every predisposition to become losers, outcasts, failed people. Yet they are full of ideals, enthusiasm, desire for goodness and beauty. It is there, deep in their hearts. It is very fragile. They long to express it, but they are afraid. Therefore, no one knows about their rich and beautiful inner life. Similarly, I meet people full of energy and enthusiasm, people full of longing for God, people full of creativity and engagement. People willing to change and longing for someone to form them. In many, there is a huge hunger for the spiritual.

I meet people living in marriage, parents who on one hand are discouraged by what they fail to manage, but on the other hand are full of desire for the right way of life. People who sincerely regret their repeated failures and deeply appreciate their spouses for enduring with them despite everything. I meet people who do not bury their heads in the sand but face challenges and fight. I meet people faithful to God and the Church, even though they have been disappointed many times by priests. I meet elderly people who have lived many years together and now take care of each other. They endure each other’s whims, get on each other’s nerves, but still cannot live without each other.

But, as in every story, there is one “but.” I perceive all these things and others likely do as well. But the person in question does not see it at all or cannot appreciate it. Therefore, it happens that when I mention a reality I value, the person is surprised and does not want to believe it. Or they consider it completely normal, saying, “Everyone should do this. What’s so special about doing what I have to?” I do not wonder at this reaction at all. Because in this situation they react exactly as I do when my spiritual guide points out some good quality in me. I must admit it feels good, even though it is hard to believe.

Here we come to the fact that helps us to see ourselves with hope for salvation. We do not have a truthful view of ourselves. We either overestimate or underestimate ourselves. Either we are overly proud or we put ourselves down. But the view of another can help us see ourselves more truthfully. That is why God called us into community, to help one another grow. I have the opportunity to discover good in another person and motivate them to discover, develop, and put that good into practice. But at the same time, I also need this service from another person. Someone who looks at me with hope. So there is a double challenge—to give hope and to be willing to accept words of hope. The primary role of spouses is to sanctify each other. Among other things, this means appreciating the good in the other person and thereby motivating them to do the right thing. We give them hope that they too can be saved.

Not only spouses can show this service. Friends can do it too. Since the holidays are coming, and I will not be preparing catechesis, I give you a task: Be hope for each other. Be appreciative toward the people in your oikos (household/community). Discover the good in them and try to overcome shyness, thinking it is inappropriate or embarrassing, worrying about what others might think, and praise and encourage them.

Has anyone ever looked at me with hope? What was that feeling? Did I believe them?

Can I gratefully accept praise and encouragement from someone?

Do I look at others with hope?

Do I try to discover the good in the other and motivate them to do good?

Do I appreciate my neighbors?

What stops me from expressing words of recognition, gratitude, praise, admiration?

What good have I noticed lately in my partner? /For those not married, in the closest person?/ Have I told them?

—

Let me know if you want me to help with anything else!

Visitors counter: 605
Posted in Nezaradené | 55 Comments

22.Sunday A in ordinary time Mt 16,21-27

Posted on 26. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

Text: Matthew 16:21–27

Introduction Just one passage earlier Peter confesses, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Today’s text shows how quickly a true confession can be followed by a misguided expectation. Jesus reveals the path of the Messiah: suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. Peter rebukes Him. Jesus then turns and calls His disciples—and us—to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow. This is not a minor adjustment to our lives; it is a complete reorientation of values, loyalties, and hopes.

Let’s walk through this text in three movements: the necessity of the cross, the scandal of misplaced love, and the paradox of true life.

1 The Necessity of the Cross (v. 21) “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things… and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Must: Not a tragic accident, but divine necessity. The cross is not Plan B; it is the heart of God’s redemptive plan.

Suffering, death, resurrection: Jesus holds together all three. Many of us prefer a Jesus of wisdom without a cross, or a Jesus of victory without a tomb. He gives us all of Himself: the suffering Servant and the risen Lord.

Jerusalem: The center of worship becomes the scene of rejection. Even holy places can resist holy love.

Pastoral reflection:

We often pray for God’s will while quietly asking Him to avoid any path that includes cost. Jesus reveals God’s will as a road that passes through suffering to resurrection. The promise is not escape from hardship, but life through and beyond it.

The Scandal of Misplaced Love (vv. 22–23) “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him… But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me… you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’”

Peter’s love is real, but misdirected. He wants a Christ without a cross—success without sacrifice, glory without Golgotha.

Jesus’ rebuke is sharp because the temptation is real. The “voice” that offered Jesus a kingdom without a cross in the wilderness now speaks through a friend with good intentions.

“Get behind me”: This is not a rejection of Peter’s discipleship, but a correction of its posture. Disciples belong behind Jesus, not in front of Him setting the agenda. Following means surrendering the scripts we write for God.

Pastoral reflection:

Good intentions can become stumbling blocks when they substitute our sensibilities for God’s wisdom. Beware the counsel that seems compassionate but avoids the redemptive way of the cross—whether in our personal ethics, our leadership, or our churches.

The Call to Discipleship (v. 24) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Anyone: This is universal, not just for apostles or “radical Christians.”

Deny yourself: Not self-hatred, but dethroning the self as ultimate authority. It is saying “no” to the self as sovereign so we can say “yes” to Christ as Lord.

Take up your cross: More than bearing life’s inconveniences. It is a willing embrace of whatever obedience to Jesus costs—reputation, comfort, control, even life.

Follow me: The goal is not ascetic heroism; it is companionship with Jesus. The cross is not an end in itself; it is the path where He walks.

Practical applications:

In relationships: Prefer reconciliation over vindication; forgive when revenge would be sweeter; tell the truth when flattery would benefit you more.

In vocation: Choose integrity over advancement; serve rather than dominate; value people over profit.

In spiritual life: Prioritize prayer and Scripture when distraction is easier; confess sin rather than managing appearances; practice generosity when scarcity whispers fear.

In suffering: Carry hardship not with stoic denial but with surrendered trust, joining your pain to Christ’s and letting love have the last word.

The Paradox of True Life (vv. 25–26) “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”

Saving vs. finding: The tight-fisted grip on life—image, safety, control—slips through our fingers. Surrender to Christ, surprisingly, returns life to us in a truer, deeper way.

Profit and loss: Jesus speaks the language of accounting to expose the bankruptcy of idolatry. The entire world’s gains cannot pay the debt of a lost soul.

The “for my sake”: This is not aimless self-sacrifice. It is a reorientation toward the Person of Jesus—His mission, His Kingdom, His love.

Contemporary idols to name:

Achievement: We can gain promotions, platforms, and plaques—and lose our capacity for wonder, rest, and compassion.

Pleasure: We can curate experiences—and numb our hunger for God.

Approval: We can be admired by crowds—and become strangers to our own souls.

Control: We can feel secure—and choke out the life of faith.

Jesus is not against joy, success, or honor; He rescues them from becoming counterfeit gods that cannot save.

Hope and Accountability (v. 27) “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done.”

Glory and judgment: The cross-bearing present lives under the light of a coming glory. Our sacrifices are not lost; they are seen and will be rewarded.

Ethical gravity: Discipleship is not theoretical. Our deeds matter—how we love, forgive, speak, spend, and suffer. Grace does not negate obedience; it empowers it.

This future hope steadies us:

When obedience costs you now, remember the joy set before you.

When the world mislabels the way of Jesus as loss, recall that He will render the true verdict on reality.

Illustrations for preaching or meditation

The surgeon’s scalpel: It wounds to heal. God’s call to deny self feels like loss, but it removes what would kill us and restores what gives life.

The compass vs. the clock: We live by clocks (deadlines, demands), but discipleship gives us a compass—true north in Christ—even if it slows our apparent progress.

Seed in the soil (John 12 echoes this text): To cling to seed is to keep it small; to bury it is to multiply life.

Practices for a cross-shaped week

Daily prayer of surrender: “Lord Jesus, I step behind You today. Not my will, but Yours. Show me where to say no to myself so I can say yes to You.”

A deliberate act of self-denial: Choose one concrete sacrifice—fast a meal, give sacrificially, serve someone without being seen.

A reconciliatory step: Make one phone call, send one note, or have one conversation that prefers the cross-shaped way of forgiveness over pride.

Scripture to carry: Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:7–10; Romans 12:1–2.

Gospel center: Before command, gift It is vital to see the order of this passage. Jesus does not say, “Take up your cross so that I will love you.” He says, “I am going to the cross for you—therefore follow me.” The cross we bear is not the price we pay for God’s favor; it is the path we walk because we already have it. He carried the one cross that saves; we carry crosses that shape.

Conclusion: Get behind Jesus Jesus says to Peter and to us: “Get behind me.” Not “Get away,” but “Get in line.” This is a word of mercy. He invites us out of the exhausting burden of self-lordship into the freedom of discipleship. The way of the cross is narrow, but it is not joyless. On the other side of death is resurrection. On the other side of surrender is life.

So today, let us step behind Jesus. Let us deny ourselves, take up our crosses—not as martyrs of our own making, but as followers of a crucified and risen Lord—and find, in losing, the life we were made to live.

A prayer to close Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, You set Your face toward Jerusalem for our salvation. Deliver us from the love of our own way. Place us behind You, under Your cross, within Your mercy. Give us courage to deny ourselves, grace to follow, and hope to endure, until we see You in glory. Amen

Visitors counter: 55
Posted in sermons | Leave a comment

Order

Posted on 25. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

Another essential means for “sustainable” spiritual growth is order. Keep order, and order will keep you. This is an old Latin proverb. Today, however, we do not like routine or monotony. We see no perspective or dynamics in it and do not understand how it could make us happy. We desire spontaneity more because there we see freedom and the fulfillment of all our dreams. But maintaining order does not mean routine and monotony; it means having boundaries that help us develop evenly, avoid extremes in some areas, and not neglect others. The enemy of our salvation seems to revel in extremes. Either he convinces us to do nothing because we have no time, it is not necessary, or it does not matter anyway, or when we realize that nothing leads anywhere, he shows us a huge mass of neglected tasks and pushes us to do everything quickly. The result is fatigue, discouragement, and a return to doing nothing. So order is an effective means to prevent this.



There is, of course, a second extreme – the world demands flexibility; today everything is flexible, starting with working hours. Then we also want to have some routine that helps us make space for things other than just rushing, but it simply doesn’t work. Of course, situations vary. But the rule remains – you must have a vision and try to realize it as much as possible. What is the smallest step I can and am able to take soon to have more order in my life?

Why is order necessary? The same applies in spiritual life as in learning, sports, or music. It is better to do little regularly than much occasionally. Spiritual life is not a performance to be completed but the meaning of life that every day directs us to the essence – to God. We have other such things too, like work, study, health. But in those areas, we face enough external pressure to act – the boss chases, pain occurs, we fail an exam, we embarrass ourselves. No such pressure exists for spiritual life. Therefore, there is no other choice than to set a daily, weekly routine, establish fixed points, and try to respect them.

Of course, extremes should be avoided – order should not be another opportunity for the evil one to torment us: “See what you are, you couldn’t manage again, you are not capable yet.” On the other hand, it should not be like a tear-off calendar – “If I succeed, I succeed; if not, there’s always tomorrow.” Then a week or a month passes, and we make no progress.

There is an interesting dilemma. Someone might say: “I will read from the Holy Scripture every day.” But the whole day passes, they are restless, tired in the evening, and sit down at the table needing to catch up on many things. So they read two chapters of Scripture. It takes half an hour because they fall asleep after every sentence, but they did it. Does it have meaning? Of course not. Then they say: “Well, I won’t read in such cases anymore.” They start skipping occasionally and then entirely because there is always a lot to do.

So what is better? The Psalmist says: “I do not make false promises” (Psalm 101:3). The daily routine is not meant to be filled with many activities and constantly adding new ones, as if the ideal is always doing more. The daily routine serves to ensure I manage everything necessary that day — time for prayer, work, rest, family, etc., without giving too much time to one thing at the expense of others. Such a routine teaches trust: once I have filled the time set for a task, I no longer focus on it but entrust it to God; He will take care of it. When can I say I have done enough? There is always more to add or improve, always at the expense of sleep, prayer, health, family. Where is the limit? Precisely in the order I have set.

Secondly, if something is occasionally not fulfilled due to exceptions — traveling, large celebrations, illness — nothing happens if something is skipped. What matters is returning to the set order immediately after returning to normal.

Order should not enslave me but give a framework that supports me.

Thirdly, it is necessary to cultivate good judgment and constantly remind yourself of the sense of order. This provides criteria to assess whether a change or omission is just an easier solution for me or a necessity for greater good. Honestly look at yourself. Why are you changing? Is it because it is easier or because after considering circumstances, you concluded that the change is for the greater good?

Fourthly, some things are good to consult. We are not always capable of proper judgment ourselves. The willingness to open topics before another person makes us attentive and humble. We no longer insist only on what we want because we know it must withstand scrutiny from others. One of the tasks of spiritual guidance is to teach discernment. At the start of spiritual growth, spiritual direction may be almost indispensable, as we cannot always discover the essence of our problem. It can easily happen that to remove a weakness, we make a resolution that in fact supports that weakness.

Basically, order is like any medicine. If insufficient, it is ineffective; if excessive, there is risk of overdose. Medicine is unpleasant but can be gotten used to and even become a dependency.

Do I have a daily routine? Does it include essential things? Are there things that are just meaningless drills? Am I missing something significant? Am I a slave to this routine? Have I ever consulted someone about what is essential and what is not?

Order is an excellent means to overcome the “noon demon.” This term is used by older ascetics to describe a state of discouragement, fatigue, laziness that comes upon a monk after morning enthusiasm, usually around noon. This demon also attacks us around the middle of life, around the age of 40, or after initial enthusiasm for a new spiritual activity. Then we lack the desire or strength for anything new and often keep things just out of habit. There is no need to worry if we act just out of habit. That is precisely why we try to form habits: so that in such situations, they hold us and do not allow us to fall deeper. God works in us even at those times.

Order and routine serve as a healthy backbone of life that protects us from extremes, burnout, and helps us grow without undue pressure to perform.

Why do we need order?
– Protection from extremes: Helps avoid laziness or excessive effort trying to do everything at once.
– Regularity: In spiritual life, small daily steps have more significance than occasional great efforts.
– Freedom without slavery: Routine supports us when enthusiasm fades but should not become a tool for self-torment after failure.

Reflection on your daily routine
Final questions from the text invite you to consider if your current lifestyle serves you or if you serve it:
– Do you have clear priorities? Are essential things included (prayer, rest, family, work)?
– Is it just drill? Does your day contain unnecessary duties that tire you but do not move you forward?
– Are you free? Can you accept exceptions without guilt and return to order once the situation calms?

If you like, we can look at:
– How to create a simple daily routine for prayer and rest
– How to overcome the feeling of discouragement (the noon demon)
– Whether you need to consult your state with a spiritual guide

 

—

Visitors counter: 68
Posted in Nezaradené | Leave a comment

Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist

Posted on 25. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

Dear brothers and sisters, we celebrate the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. Today, in the prayer of the preface, we will hear the words: “For we celebrate the work of Your grace in Christ’s forerunner, Saint John, whom You favored above all people with special kindness.” Indeed, God bestowed special favor upon Saint John the Baptist.

This favor was also shown in his birth to Saint Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were people of advanced age, who received the great gift of this child, and his birth and conception were accompanied by great signs. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the temple and announced that he would have a child—a great prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ. Although Zechariah did not believe, another sign followed: he was unable to speak for nine months until John’s birth, and when he finally spoke at John’s birth, people saw it as a great sign. Also, when the Virgin Mary, blessed with child, met Elizabeth, who was also pregnant, the child John the Baptist rejoiced in Elizabeth’s womb. This was another great sign. Jesus Christ himself speaks about John the Baptist as a great prophet, stating that no one greater was born of a woman than John. Jesus himself gives strong testimony that God bestowed great favor on Saint John the Baptist, and today we celebrate his martyrdom.

Today we celebrate his end—an end at a relatively young age, perhaps around 30 years old, as he died a martyr’s death. But his end, his martyrdom, was a triumphant one, triumphant in the witness given by the words of today’s Scripture.

In today’s Gospel, we hear that John was imprisoned—John, who was taken captive by Herod—John, whom Herod enjoyed listening to, especially when John named Herod’s sin exactly: “You should not live with your brother’s wife.” These words were a rebuke. Yet Herod liked to listen to him, and though he was greatly troubled, he still listened with pleasure. This is a beautiful testimony that John could name the truth in such a way that it touched the person himself. That truth resonated with him, and he appreciated it because truth is compelling. The truth about ourselves is very good and important. The truth that touched Herod shook him so deeply that it also protected him. We see how Saint John the Baptist, though imprisoned and having no easy life, was not afraid and named the truth in such a way that Herod gladly listened to him. This is beautiful; Herod surely had a conscience, and it touched him deeply, resonating within him.

We see that later intrigues involving his unlawful wife Herodias, her daughter, and ultimately John the Baptist led to his death, as if to silence this truth. But truth cannot be silenced, because Jesus Christ comes, who said about Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” And this truth could not be silenced, even though they tried to kill it on the cross and bury it in the tomb. But Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and this truth can never be silenced again. The truth that rightly names us, our life that people do not live, and we listen well to this truth from Jesus Christ, because this truth is much stronger than the voice of Saint John the Baptist, who named Herod’s sin. The voice of Jesus Christ tells us about ourselves—how we should live, what we should do, what to avoid, and where we find our happiness. This is the truth we too must listen to and gladly accept. And this truth can never be silenced or suppressed.

May Saint John the Baptist be a great example and model for us, who was not afraid to name the truth on one hand, and on the other hand, named it correctly in such a way that people were glad to listen to him. Amen.

Visitors counter: 58
Posted in Nezaradené | Leave a comment

Following of Christ

Posted on 24. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

But what does this following of Christ mean? We often imagine Christ as a perfect person who fulfills the will of the Father and therefore is a model for us in keeping the law. In this way, anyone can accept Christ without a problem. As a model of the perfect man. But this view is insufficient and leads to an unsolvable situation. For Christ is not just a model, He is the way. And that is an essential difference. Ideals are necessary because they motivate us, but they are also dangerous because they lead to despair if we cannot fulfill them. Therefore, following Christ as a model of perfection leads to despair. We cannot do it. We are not up to it. And so, even though at first glance Jesus as a perfect man seems acceptable to everyone, worthy of being followed, it is a desperate path into hopelessness.

Following Christ, fortunately, is not copying a model of perfection, but living from His grace. He is the way, He is the strength, He is the one who enables us to come to the Father. Therefore, following Christ means the art of entering into His way of thinking and making His spirit our own. It is the art of asking questions and solving the problems of everyday life in this light: “What would Christ do?” or: “What would Christ advise me to do?”

Lest there be any misunderstanding, it must be emphasized right away that this is not a mechanical application of the Gospel – Jesus drives the merchants out of the temple, so I too will throw out people who offer pilgrimage tours in the church. Jesus praised Mary for sitting at His feet and warned Martha that she was attending to everything except what is essential, and so I too will stop taking care of the household and only read Scripture. That would be a misunderstanding. To follow Christ does not mean to copy what He does. To follow Christ means to understand the logic of Jesus’ thinking, what attitudes He takes, what is a value for Him, how He motivates people, how He admonishes them, then to observe the present age, which is different from Christ’s time, and to try to apply Christ’s attitudes even in today’s world.

It is not enough to look at Christ as a historical person, but we must see and accept Him in the history of the whole world. Among the Jews, those who could recognize Jesus as the Messiah were those who saw in Him the fulfillment of everything toward which the historical development of the Old Testament was heading. Those who understood that the history of the Old Testament is a history of God’s faithfulness and the people’s unfaithfulness, those who understood that history was heading toward the coming of the Messiah who would remove the burden of original sin and remove the heart of stone from our body and give us a heart of flesh. It was precisely these people who were able to accept Christ. Whoever did not understand these historical connections and saw only social injustice, the loss of authentic religiosity, political oppression by the Romans, was disappointed by Jesus, because He did not solve these situations according to his idea. A wrong understanding of Jerusalem, its Temple, the Kingdom, the prophets, led to the condemnation of Christ and His being handed over to death. It is precisely this that the apostles point to, and that is why they so gladly explain and summarize the history of the chosen nation in their sermons.

Similarly, we too can accept Christ only in the context of our own lives. Where is my life heading? What is its meaning and goal? Why do certain things happen? What is the Lord educating me for through them? We are invited to live our everyday life from the perspective of the goal toward which we are heading. And not from the perspective of the happiness and trouble-free life that we would like to have. Our everyday life is connected with our eternity and not only with our earthly happiness. Following Christ, therefore, is not detached from everyday reality. It is not valid to say: I go to work, I earn money there to survive, and then I can devote myself to my family and my salvation. I will build a pastoral center so that there is finally a suitable space for pastoral work and then evangelization will finally be possible. Perhaps I have said nothing new by this. It is completely natural and clear, and yet how often we forget it in concrete life. To follow Christ means to live one’s salvation here and now. To perceive every event of life as one that influences my salvation. And then to ask how Christ would act.

Visitors counter: 91
Posted in Nezaradené | Leave a comment

St.Augustine,Bishop of Hippo

Posted on 24. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

 Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) was a highly influential Christian theologian, philosopher, and bishop. He is considered one of the great Fathers of the Church and a key figure in the development of Western Christianity.

Augustine was born in the town of Thagaste in North Africa (modern-day Algeria). He led a restless early life, deeply interested in philosophy and rhetoric, and initially followed the Manichaean religion before converting to Christianity.

His famous conversion to Christianity occurred in 386 AD, inspired in part by the preaching of Saint Ambrose in Milan and the prayers of his devout mother, Saint Monica. After his conversion, Augustine was baptized by Ambrose.

Augustine became the Bishop of Hippo Regius (in present-day Annaba, Algeria) around 395 AD and served there until his death in 430 AD. His leadership was marked by tireless pastoral care, theological teaching, and writing.

Theological Works: Augustine authored influential works such as *Confessions* (a spiritual autobiography) and *The City of God* (addressing the relationship between Christianity and the Roman Empire).

He developed key Christian doctrines regarding original sin, grace, free will, and the nature of the Church.

Augustine integrated classical philosophy with Christian teachings, greatly shaping medieval Christian thought.

Saint Augustine’s writings deeply influenced Christian theology, philosophy, and Western culture. He is recognized as a Doctor of the Church and is honored on August 28th in the Catholic calendar.

—

 

Visitors counter: 59
Posted in Nezaradené | Leave a comment

St.Monica Mt,24,42-51

Posted on 23. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

St. Monica, also known as St. Monnica, is a revered figure in Christianity, particularly in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. She is best known as the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential theologians in Western Christianity.

Key Points About St. Monica:

  • Life and Background: St. Monica was born in 331 AD in Tagaste, North Africa (present-day Algeria). She was married to Patricius, a pagan, with whom she had several children, including Augustine. Despite her husband’s challenging behavior, Monica remained devoted to her family and faith.

  • Role as a Mother: Monica is celebrated for her deep faith and her persistent prayers for the conversion of her son, Augustine, who led a troubled life in his youth, exploring various philosophies and lifestyles.

  • Conversion of Augustine: After years of prayer and dedication, Monica’s efforts bore fruit when Augustine converted to Christianity in 386 AD. This pivotal moment not only transformed Augustine’s life but also had a lasting impact on Christian theology.

  • Death and Legacy: St. Monica died in 387 AD in Ostia, Italy, shortly after witnessing her son’s baptism. She was canonized for her exemplary virtue, faith, and perseverance. Her feast day is celebrated on August 27.

  • Patronage: St. Monica is the patron saint of mothers, married women, and those who are struggling with their children’s faith. She is often invoked by those seeking the conversion of family members.

Significance

St. Monica’s life is a powerful testament to the strength of maternal love and the importance of faith and perseverance in the face of challenges. Her story inspires many to remain steadfast in prayer and hope for the salvation of loved ones.

Visitors counter: 125
Posted in Nezaradené | Leave a comment

Spiritual Matters

Posted on 22. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

Whenever we come to the Lord, whether in prayer or at Holy Mass, we must realize that it is different from material things. When I am thirsty, I take a glass of water and drink. But when I want to drink spiritually, it is not that simple. I make the sign of the cross, say, “God, help me,” and think it is all settled.

Spiritual things are not easily accessible to our perception because we are bodily beings. This leads us to try to satisfy bodily needs, because it is easier. The body is made for that; it is natural to it. If a person wants to live spiritually, he must experience a kind of violence against himself. This violence is called being born again.

In one place Jesus says: “The violent take possession of the Kingdom of God.” There is a difference between the life of faith and a religious life. A religious life consists of many things that can be done in a bodily way: I make the sign of the cross, I go to Holy Mass, I receive Holy Communion. But the life of faith is the search for the Kingdom of God, believing that God will fulfill all His promises — but not immediately, as we often wish.

People often have wrong attitudes. They want God to act just because they have prayed or gone to Holy Mass. We cannot approach spiritual things as if they were a vending machine. Many times it may seem to us that we see no result.

Several figures from the Old Testament can serve as examples for us: Abraham, Simeon, Zechariah. Believing is not easy. Modern man wants to have light immediately. This applies both to bodily things and to spiritual things.

And let us realize one more thing: man tries to make his bodily life easier, and that is why he is constantly inventing something. He would like the same in spiritual matters. He wants to see results immediately. If he does not see them, he loses interest in spiritual things.In conclusion, I would like to say: God will not change the conditions of spiritual life just because they are demanding and unacceptable to many people. He forces no one. Those who think they can adapt the Gospel to their own image are mistaken.

Visitors counter: 84
Posted in Nezaradené | Leave a comment

Sermon on Mt 23,27-32

Posted on 21. August 2026 by Peter Prochac

Sermon on Matthew 23:27–32

“You are like whitewashed tombs.

Dear brothers and sisters,

The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are among the strongest words we hear from his lips

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.”

At first hearing, these words may seem unusually harsh. We are accustomed to seeing Jesus as gentle and merciful. He welcomes sinners, touches lepers, forgives the adulterous woman, eats with tax collectors, and searches for those who are lost. Why, then, does he speak so severely here?

Precisely because he loves.

There are moments when love must comfort, but there are also moments when love must tell the truth. A doctor who discovers a serious illness does not help the patient by pretending that everything is fine. Jesus sees a spiritual sickness in the religious leaders of his time, and he names it: hypocrisy.

1. The whitewashed tomb

The image Jesus uses was immediately understandable to his listeners. Tombs could be whitewashed so that people would recognize and avoid them. From a distance they could look clean, bright, even beautiful. But their appearance did not change what was inside.

Jesus uses this image to describe a dangerous contradiction: a beautiful exterior and a corrupted interior

And here we should be careful. It would be easy to listen to this Gospel and think: “Yes, Jesus is talking about the Pharisees. They were hypocrites.”

But the Gospel was not preserved merely so that we could judge people who lived two thousand years ago. Jesus’ words are addressed to us as well.

There can be a little Pharisee hidden in every human heart.

We can appear patient while being full of anger. We can speak about forgiveness while secretly nourishing resentment. We can appear generous while wanting admiration. We can pray publicly while neglecting our personal relationship with God. We can know the commandments very well and nevertheless fail to love the person standing beside us.

There is always the danger of becoming more concerned about appearing good than actually becoming good.

2. God sees what others cannot see

People usually see the exterior. They see our face, clothing, behavior, achievements, words and reputation.

God sees deeper.

He sees what happens when nobody is watching. He sees our motives. He sees the thoughts we would never say aloud. He sees our secret struggles, but also our hidden acts of goodness. He knows whether our prayer comes from the heart or merely from our lips.

This can sound frightening, but it is actually good news.

We do not need to pretend before God.

When we come before him, we can say:

“Lord, this is who I am. Here is my faith, but also my doubt. Here is my love, but also my selfishness. Here are my good intentions, but also my failures. Here are the wounds I show to others, and here are those that nobody knows about.”

God does not ask us to come to him already perfect. He asks us to come truthfully.

The greatest obstacle to God’s grace is not necessarily weakness. Often it is the refusal to admit our weakness.

Peter denied Jesus three times, yet became the rock of the Church. Paul persecuted Christians, yet became an apostle. Augustine lived far from God, yet became a great saint.

Their past did not prevent holiness because they allowed God to change them.

3. “We would not have joined them”

Jesus then points to another form of hypocrisy. The scribes and Pharisees built tombs for the prophets and said:

If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.”

How easy it is to condemn the sins of previous generations!

We say: “If I had been there, I would never have done that.”

But the more important question is not what I would have done then. The important question is: What am I doing now?

We honor the prophets of the past, but do we listen to the prophetic voices God sends us today?

We honor the saints, but do we imitate them?

We place flowers before statues of saints, but are we prepared to live according to the Gospel for which they sacrificed everything?

We honor Christ on the crucifix, but do we recognize him in the poor, the lonely, the elderly, the sick, the stranger, or the person whom we find difficult to love?

It is possible to honor yesterday’s prophets while rejecting today’s call to conversion.

4. Christianity is not a façade

Jesus is warning us against reducing religion to appearances.

We can attend Mass and remain unforgiving.

We can receive Holy Communion and refuse reconciliation.

We can know the Bible and still destroy another person through gossip.

We can kneel before the Blessed Sacrament and then look down upon our neighbor.

None of this means that prayer, Mass, confession, devotions or religious practices are unimportant. Quite the opposite. They are precious gifts. But their purpose is to transform the heart.

The Eucharist should gradually make us more Eucharistic—more grateful, more self-giving, more willing to become bread for others.Confession should make us more humble and merciful.

Prayer should change the way we look at people.

If our religious practices never touch our relationships, attitudes, words and decisions, something is missing.

5. Let Christ clean the inside

Imagine a beautiful cup. On the outside it shines, but inside it is dirty. Polishing the outside again and again will never solve the problem. The inside must be washed.

This is what Christ wants to do with us.

And this is why examination of conscience is so important. Before asking, “What do people think about me?” we should sometimes ask:

What does God see in me?

Is there someone I refuse to forgive?

Is there jealousy in my heart?

Do I enjoy hearing something bad about another person?Do I present myself as better than I really am?

Is there a hidden habit that is slowly separating me from God?

Do my words about faith correspond to the way I actually live?

These questions are not meant to drive us into despair. They are meant to open the door to healing.

When we discover dirt in a house, we do not burn the house down. We clean it.

When Christ shows us sin in our hearts, he does not say, “You are hopeless.” He says, “Give this to me. Let me heal it.”

That is the grace of conversion.

Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel gives us a simple but demanding invitation: Do not merely look holy. Become holy.

Let there be less distance between what we profess and what we live, between our Sunday faith and our weekday behavior, between our words and our hearts.

We will never achieve perfect consistency in this life. We remain weak human beings who need God’s mercy every day. But we can refuse to live behind a mask.

Perhaps our prayer today could be very simple:

Lord Jesus, remove from me everything that is false.
Clean not only the outside, but especially the inside.
Give me a sincere heart.
Let my words correspond to my actions,
my faith to my life,
and my love for you to my love for others.
Do not let me merely appear good before people.
Make me good in your sight.

For in the end, holiness is not about maintaining a beautiful façade.

Holiness is allowing Christ to enter the hidden rooms of our heart, open the windows, bring in his light, and make us beautiful from the inside out.

Visitors counter: 88
Posted in Nezaradené | Leave a comment