Homily by Fr. Piotr Zelazko: Day of Communities (Feast of Sukkot 2023)

Dear Sisters and Brothers. Traditionally on the Feast of Sukkot we gather to start a new liturgical year. Like the People of Israel in the Biblical times, we bring the fruits of our hard work to thank God who blessed us during the last season. Without entering the modern way of the use of four species (arbaa minim): lulav (palm branch), hadas (myrtle), arava (willow) and etrog (citron) I would like to point out the literal text from the Book of Leviticus that we read today and its figurative meaning. The commandment says to gather the “fruit of majestic trees, branches of palms, and boughs of leafy trees and valley willows” and to rejoice before the Lord. When I look around this moment, I can see how happy we are in front of the Lord, since we were able to gather these fruits.  

Let us start with the fruit of the majestic trees (pri etz hadar). These are our children and youth – the fruits of the beautiful, majestic trees – their parents. What a joy it is to think about all the camps (kaytanot) that we organized together, the weekend meetings of the youth, the clubs (moadonit) in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. I would like to thank all teachers of catechism in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, all children/youth ministry team, all volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to this pastoral work. We cannot forget the Youth Festival that we celebrated in July and the trip of the youth to Lisbon.  

Now look at the leafy trees (anaf etz avot): these are our elders. Like the trees of baobab, they stay among us and share their wisdom. I thank you for your prayers and the testimony of your life in patience. I am sorry that we sometimes seem to be busy with the matters of this world and not to care enough for you and promise that this year we will be listening to your wisdom more often and in a more profound way. 

The trees of valley willows (arvey nahal) are the families. It is you who struggle with the reality of a job, finances, and school. It is you who teach the children the faith and bring them to the Church and to Jesus. I thank you for this. Our weekends for Families are only twice a year, but it is a great occasion to thank all who help to prepare them. May God give to all children a great school year and all parents the strength to affront the difficulties of daily life. 

Finally, our palm trees (kapot tmarim): the single people, the consecrated and the priests. Just like the dates, you are so sweet. Building our communities in so many initiatives, being members of the councils, preparing the refreshments, helping with the liturgy, prayer group, online activities, etc. My words of gratitude go towards all our priests who are responsible for preaching Christ and distributing of Sacraments in all our communities. It is your hard work that brings sweet fruits. Speaking about the priests, we were blessed first with the priestly ordination of Fr. Igino Sistilli who started to work in Haifa, then Fr. Tiago Cardoso was sent to us from the Congregation if the Brothers of Sion to be the chaplain of youth and Fr. Michal Misiuda who is responsible for the communities of the Russian language.  

As Vicariate, we might be a small part of the Church, but we have so many reasons to thank the Lord for each and every one who gather like the “fruit of majestic trees, branches of palms, and boughs of leafy trees and valley willows” and make together this beautiful basket of fruits, flowers, and leaves. On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink (J 7:37). 

Dear Sisters and Brothers. As we give thanks for the spiritual fruits of the last liturgical year we also look into the future. This is the new year of Grace. Our Lord invites all of us who are thirsty for Love to come to him. How many of us feel this thirst every day? How many of us pray: Lord, show me Your Love? Let us come to Him today, as we stand in front of the altar and renew our faith in Him: You are our Lord and Savior. May our small communities be the home for all who search and find in Jesus their source of living water: the meaning of life, the lack of fear, the strength.  

Last year, visiting the countries of Arabic Peninsula Pope Francis said: “These words “made me think about this very land. While it is true that there is a large expanse of desert, there are springs of fresh water flowing underground that irrigate it. That is a beautiful image of who you are and, above all, of how faith operates in our lives; on the surface our humanity seems parched by any number of weaknesses, fears, challenges, and personal or social problems of various types. Yet, in the depths of the soul, in the intimacy of the heart, there flows the calm and silent fresh water of the Spirit, who refreshes our deserts and restores life to what is parched, who washes away all that soils us and quenches our thirst for happiness” (Sacred Heart Church in Manama, 06.11.2022).  

Come to Jesus all of you who are thirsty means: let us come to Jesus together as community, as Vicariate, as the Church of brothers and sisters who want to walk together in order to be with the Lord. We are not Christians by our own merit or simply because we profess a creed, but because the living water of the Spirit was given to us in baptism, making us beloved children of God, brothers and sisters of one another and a new creation. As we read in today’s second reading: He is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15): God of our fathers, God of Israel, God who loved us and created us out of His love. May we all have a year of grace!              

      Jerusalem, September 30th, 2023