LIUBOMYR HUSAR: FREE PERSON IS A RESPONSIBLE PERSON

Imagine that you have the opportunity to ask some questions to a person who is a reputable person for you, but … He had said a lot and in a long time.  It seems about everything. What to ask about? .. His Beatitude Lubomyr has given so many interviews, wrote and dictated many texts, participated in a television broadcast, not saying about his preaching. But we asked – about the limits of our success and unlimited possibilities.

“How I can serve?” – has started our conversation Beatitude Lubomyr. It characterizes his personality the best.

The call to serve God and people as a priest Lubomyr Husar felt in age, ten years less than many of us just choose often less responsible and simplest way of life. The tenth year of life, the year – he came calling, was difficult time for Ukraine – 1943. And in 1944, his family was forced to leave the Homeland. After that his simplest biography consists of two main components: studying and service. Minor seminary, bachelor of philosophy, theological studies, ordination to the priesthood, the work of a teacher, studying again, Masters degree, monastic life, the bishop, the return to Ukraine in 1993. Further service: spiritual director in the seminary, then auxiliary Bishop of the head of UGCC Myroslav Lyubachivsky, and from 2001 to 2011 – Major Archbishop.

Will you ask – up to 2011, why not by now?Because the Archbishop – is for life. In addition, Bishop Lubomyr Husar distinguishes one important thing: he – one of the few examples of how a person with full authority rejects it. He gave the power, referring to health, but despite it, he has not ceased to serve. Sermons, texts, speakers, meetings, participation in The initiative “On the first of December“, interviews. A successful Ukrainian Lubomyr Husar never tires to serve.

How did you become the person you are today?

It’s very simple. I wanted to be a priest observed from my youth, ten year. With God’s help I became, I worked as a priest in America. I finished theological studies there. Later, I entered the monastery near Rome. In 1993 I finally returned to Ukraine as a monk. By the time looking for an assistant, deceased now, His Beatitude Myroslav Lyubachivsky, so I was chosen his assistant. In 2001, I was chosen the Major Archbishop. And four years ago, as you know, because of my age, I thanked them for the service. That is my life.

Did the feeling of responsibility was present in your life?

As you can see, I do not dramatize my life. From day to day problems came in my life more or less, which I solved by myself, or with the help of other people. I cannot say I have experienced some special upheaval. I tried from day to day solving problems. I`ve never had the feeling – a lot depends on me. 

What your actions and achievements are you proud of?

Nothing special, nothing I was proud. Somehow … (sigh), Except that I deliberately did nothing vile. And so that I grasped something special, I never thought out it. (Smiles) I do not see any particular achievements that I did something extraordinary.  I was trying to live normally. Consciously I was trying to do anything vile.

Success – is a good thing. If you worked hard and honestly, made a try and efforts why not be successful?

It seems that in today’s society is very much appreciated success. Is not it overvalued?

It depends on what we have in mind when talking about it. Success is – a good thing. If anyone worked hard and honestly, made a try and efforts why not to be successful? Moreover, if what he did or what he is doing is for the benefit of others, for the benefit of the community – why not? It always can be overestimated, but people usually do not overestimate. Overestimate the same person who considers himself something more, something extraordinary. Normal people are taking it in stride.

Of course, there are people, in the material (business) segment, who have an American mentality. After all, in America a usual person who deserves attention – is the person who took care of herself, not someone helped or facilitated the way. This is a man who won his place by his own efforts. In the American mentality in American literature this is too much.

Unfortunately, we have a little bit different approach. Of course, success for us is to reach the heights, but the question in that, how to achieve it? Very often we have doubts about how success is the merit of the individual. Maybe it’s his friends, his group nominated him up on the hill, which he does not deserve. In short, in Ukraine the concept to be known or to be someone – does not mean you worked hard. Each case must be very and very considered apart.

What is success for the Christian in the spiritual life?

To what extend he lives by Word of God, with his faith – it is a measure of his success. Not what he does, a position he takes or special merits. When talking about spiritual progress, then pay attention to how he lives with faith, does he try to fulfill the word of God in his life.

What virtues person should cherish?

Fulfill God’s will – there is no other way. Why does the Lord give law, give commandments? Not for “knitting” us or obstruct the path but to help us, to indicate the path we have to go. That is what we call – law of God. The God – because he is merciful – let us know, teaches us mainly through Jesus Christ what we have to do to fulfill His will.

Let me do a little comparison. For example, it’s the birthday of my father or my mother, and I know what they like. It sounds corny, but for example, I know which flowers, what color and bloom my mother loves. Or what is pleasant for my father. I know it because I live with them. I have the opportunity to scrutinize. But now I want to do good for God. I have no opportunity to watch God as watching my parents. But God is merciful, gracious to us.

Through his Son – the Lord Jesus Christ, He tells us what is good for God. And when we do the will – we approach God.

Do You agree that people often treat commandments, not as a guide, as love, but more as a ban? 

Too often, unfortunately. And this is the fault of teachers, priests, who must explain this to people. For people like to hear commandments, who hears the law, thinks out:  “Oh, it is only to “knit” me” No. First of all,  the parents, if they have so much knowledge and understanding of religious life should educate their children in the spirit. But probably should do it a pastor or a priest. Because he was called to to explain to us the Law of God. So, he should explain that God gives the law not to torment us, bother us but to show the way to serve Him, and get closer to Him.

Do all regulations and laws are categorically? Do exist the circumstances that permit to break the law?

It depends on the nature of the law. Men can never do evil. To breake the law of God is impossible. You see, the man is set free. And we appreciate that freedom. God gives man freedom – it’s a part of our nature. But to be free – does not mean – do what we want. The will – is not the same as arbitrariness.  The arbitrariness – is “oh, I can do everything, nothing is prohibited for me.” You cannot do it.

What rights do we have? As free people we have the right to do good. As free people, we can make mistakes, but we do not have the right for it. There is a respectful difference. No one can take away my right to do good. But being free I can make a mistake, I can do something bad, even consciously, but I do not have the right. I can do, but I have no right. If I do it because of my infirmity, then there is no punishment, because I made a mistake. If I do it maliciously, I hope that I will be punished. Someone who consciously does evil must be punished.

What do the Ukrainians lack, in your opinion?

It is a very complex issue and I cannot say that something we are lacking. What do we lack? Maybe – spiritual understanding, on the other hand – the desire to learn and work.

What is the difference in the desire to learn and work between the Ukrainians and people of the West?

I think we need realize (on my experience) that the whole Ukraine, East and West, North and South – has experienced a very unfortunate 20 century. Mainly the Soviet period, which covers almost a century. Ukraine lived through wars, famine, but it did not make such a difference in the lives of Ukrainian as did the Soviet education, it had a clear purpose to make slaves of human. Denying a person their will, make her executor of the will of the dictator – that was the task of Soviet education. The whole system was built on it.

We can go a step further back in this religious sphere: the Soviet Bolshevik mentality wanted to to deprive of freedom, deny responsibility, deny the ability to communicate and so on. Today, I think we still suffer from it. Because this people were all brought up in the Soviet system. Not that they are evil, bad people. But they often do not know how to behave, they are afraid, afraid of each other, because it was dangerous to communicate with others – it’s counter-revolution possible.

They are afraid of responsibility, have learned to steal. What we are talking about corruption – is the result of education.

The whole century they adopted us to corruption, but we still must remember that it is theft. Today we did not pass enough skills of the Bolshevik philosophy. It is much more difficult for older people to change habits.

A new generation grows up, and we must take care of this new young generation which is so pure, enthusiastically so that it remains such, and not to be messed up by old skills. In short, we must give them the opportunity to see the world with new eyes. It is about what we call the Revolution dignity Square. I think largely inclined to what we have there was a big change

In short, we must give them the opportunity to see the world with new eyes. It is about what we call the Revolution of dignity, the Maidan. I think a big change has happened. For more than twenty years, we lived as lived, continued what has been. It may have been little changes here and there. But such a fundamental change in the direction of life, desire for something truly new, clear I think just begun. And our task is to ensure the next generation to live new, a new life. To living spiritual values ​​which are useful for people and underlines their dignity.

How the young Ukrainian dare to follow their dreams and not become the hostage to circumstances?

This is not an easy thing. They have that power, but they need help. I do not think everyone can do it by yourself. They should be encouraged to look for support. But ultimately they must decide where they want to go. Do they want to stay where they were, where their fathers and grandfathers. Do they want to go through the upgrade. The final decision is –  for them, though they need to help, but do not impose anything, and say, “Boy, girl, young man, pay attention to it and those things, think out  what values you want in life to choose , think what makes you better person  what is more natural for you  – and choose. ”

What will be the consequence of the fact that young generation does not have an absolute authority?

It should be careful approach. Our young people are not deprived of wisdom, they have eyes, they should take a closer look, stop and think about what they see? Is that what they see good or bad it is, where it leads? Those young people are, in my opinion, reasonable, responsible, and they should stop to analyze. Do not go like a flock of sheep, but aware of their dignity, their mind, their free will, their gifts of God, its free nature make certain decisions. Do they want to be a victim of circumstances, or want to be on circumstances?

What would you recommend to our readers?

Oh my God, advice … work, think, benefit from the gifts of God, do not go with the flow, as they say, but to move deliberately, intelligently, stop, peer into and  seeking wise advice. We have to estimate the quality of our youth. I cannot say I’m one and all, and a lot of people know, but somehow with God’s help here and there met with young people, and my overall impression is very positive: it is normal, good, healthy young people. But they have to work hard and try. Do not think that everything comes naturally, without effort and without labor, they can do anything, no. They must stop communicate, not just every man for himself, and joined forces, talking to people wise. We do not have absolute authority, but we mentioned at the beginning of the conversation that there are successful people.

Success – is not necessarily financial success, but the success of life when a man is the person when he won anything in life. They should consult, look at what and how. And go ahead with open eyes.

The Source: The Ukrainians