Book Review by Joe Szekeres
I had a most enjoyable conversation with my parish priest and pastor, Father Paul Magyar, at Oshawa’s St. Gertrude’s about his first self published book GREAT GRANDFATHER: Making the World a Better Place. This 38-year-old pastor, who likes to sketch when he has a few minutes, models tremendous respect for the dignity and value of others and for all human life. Magyar’s book is a non-fiction narrative exposition reflecting his respect for his great grandfather, Jozef Cizek, who is alive today at 102 and in relatively good health.
Father Paul sheds light on two principal questions in his book through the story of his great grandfather, places, and through his own travel experiences in Egypt as well as from his own research. The questions he poses and answers are one, will the world become better? and two, how can we help?”
A rather bold task indeed and heady questions which cannot be simply answered in such a short text, although he did take a year and a half to write.
Father Paul’s further challenge was to ensure the Bioethics and Catholic teachings and references were very clear:
“The challenge in writing the book was to ensure that the research my editor and I had completed was not misrepresented or misquoted. Even one word can or could change a meaning. I had to make sure all references were meticulously clear.”
I have also studied and taken theology courses and agree with Father Paul that this type of study to find answers takes time. At 113 pages of large font print, Father Paul begins a clearly respectful and insightful conversation of the two principal questions in his book by using stories his great grandfather shared while integrating them with the issues he studied post secondary and in the seminary.
During our conversation, Magyar says he just knew by experiencing the silence around the Great Pyramids his God was near him. Magyar wanted to begin writing how the world can become better if we could each just take that moment to listen for the “still small voice” the prophet Elijah calls it in the Bible.
Just like Father Paul, I too have experienced those wonderful moments of sitting and just listening to the silence surrounding me. I watched the sun rise when I was at a cottage in Nova Scotia for the first time and just listened. I had the impression that I was on this journey with Father Paul and lived vicariously through the descriptions of the visit to see the Great Pyramid, a place I may never see.
We don’t see the face of the person on the cover of ‘Great Grandfather’, only the back. The image was striking enough for me to pick the book up originally, the sketch by Fr. Paul of a man walking with a cane, casually dressed with the lower part of his sweater slightly askew. He has included other sketches which add a personal touch to his tale. A few more throughout the book would have enhanced the narrative further.
What surprised me was Great Grandfather is atheism. There is an explanation why Mr. Cizek is an atheist and I don’t want to spoil that moment for readers, but “he seemed to accept the reality of a supernatural power beyond perceived reality.”
I asked Fr. Paul whether Cizek’s belief in a supernatural power might make him an agnostic instead but Magyar steered me more toward the values his great grandfather taught him; respect for others, for elders, for hard work, traditions and family rather than any labels.
Fr. Paul also gives us reliable and valid teachings of the Catholic faith in his book in easy to understand language. He says love and forgiveness will help the world become better but his analysis of forgiveness, well, I found it intriguing.
“To live in a society, we need to act in a civilized way. If God’s forgiveness is limited, how much more is human forgiveness. We cannot assume the forgiving patience of others. We need to practise asking for forgiveness. Jesus says we have to love everyone, but never says we have to like everyone. You can love your neighbour as a human being but you don’t have to be happy about his attitude.”
Wise words to consider.
When I was reading the first section of the book, I couldn’t quite make the connection between the trip to Egypt and his great grandfather. And then it dawned on me, like the Nova Scotian silence.
Sharing stories is the way we continue to teach each other. Great grandfather Jozef Cizek told wonderful stories. Magyar may not have always agreed with some of the messages, but he listened and learned and in sharing these stories once again he demonstrates the profound affect Jozef had on him as a person and as a person of faith.
Father Paul’s book is a touching display of respect for someone he found common ground with and is inspirational for all of us as we try to live with those we disagree deeply with. Love and forgiveness, love and forgiveness.
GREAT GRANDFATHER: Making the World a Better Place is available for purchase at St. Gertrude’s Parish Office, 690 King Street East, Oshawa.