OUR FAITH IS NOT BORING

Don't pray for miracles, expect them

**NOT BORING**

We don’t have a boring Faith, because we don’t have a boring God.  From the very Beginning, Super-Natural events are reported in writing and fill the pages of the Scriptures about how magnificent and exciting our God is. Considering the amount of splendor describing our God found not only in Sacred Scripture, but in many other writings, I am limiting this to the fulfillment of two Prophetic verses that Isaiah proclaimed. These are found in the Book of Isaiah chapter 7:14, and in chapter 53. This Book of Isaiah was written many years before Jesus of Nazareth, arrived.

In Isaiah 7:14, we read about a virgin giving birth to a child, "and you will call him Emmanuel."

This is found also in the Gospels, especially Mathew 1:23, referring to Mary and Jesus. The 53rd chapter of Isaiah, gives us a preview of our Lord`s day of Crucifixion.

  Miracles are followed by more manifestation of miracles throughout the readings pertaining to our Lord Jesus Christ. A miracle is an event or a series of conditions that cannot be explained by scientific theory, or according to the known laws of nature. Super-Natural is a descriptive way of describing miracles. An `Action of God` is a popular expression used by those who believe.

  The Apostle John wrote a Prophetic verse found in the Gospel bearing his name. John says “if all the works of Jesus could be written, the world could not contain all the books.” This prophecy has been and is being fulfilled to this very day. To experience this, all you have to do is enter a bookstore, or enter the terms “Christian reading material / books” in a computer search engine.

Throughout History and presently, people of all the Earth's nations, have called upon the Name of Jesus Christ in prayer. The outpouring of God`s Love and Mercy in response to the prayers directed to Him in profound trust are voluminous and overwhelming. We witness healings of many hopeless illnesses, deliverances from “impossible” situations, the filling of needs of the many, and the satisfying of acutely `heart felt` desires of many on a daily basis.

The Blessings of God occur at every moment of every day because Jesus Christ is Alive, and that is the *Reality*. The Presence of our Risen King Jesus Christ can be perceived when we turn to Him to send up a sincere request for His Presence. Many times, in many places, many people, with just a very small amount of Trust, have experienced *Supernatural* (miraculous) answers to prayer in their entire being.

  Continuing and persevering Faith and Trust in our `Risen Lord Jesus Christ` is the most exciting Adventure that we can experience. Be encouraged, for a life filled with Faith in Jesus Christ, is not `boring`.

Take some time today and read Isaiah's chapter 53, reflect on what our Lord accomplished.

But don’t just stop with this reading.  Move on a bit; continue; explore a little....and find our for yourself that our Faith is Not Boring.

                                           Br.Phil.B.    4-22-14

RESURRECTION, LIGHT AND DARK AND BACK TO LIGHT

Psalm 30:5 – "... in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." 

Matthew 28:1 says - "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher." Verses 5-6 record what these women saw and heard - "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said..."
  As we read the above Scriptures we become aware that there are periods in Life when we perceive that all around us is “darkness.”  Moments of darkness have been since the Beginning of Creation.  In Genesis we read that the Earth was `dark and void` and that from this came forth *Light.* In Psalm 30:5, we read that weeping (discouragement) may be for awhile, yet afterward is the morning. When we trust in the Reality that the `darkness` will pass,  the time spent during the night can still be filled with positive, faith filled, enthusiastic actions.

When we read of the Resurrection event we find that the sadness of the death of Jesus is filling the hearts of the disciples.  Yet as the followers enter the tomb they are struck with the *Brightness* of the moment. An Angel of God announces that Jesus has risen.

Joy, Amazement, and Wonder overtake the morning gathering, later to be shared with the many who did not go to the grave.

This is Resurrection Sunday.  Let’s lift up our eyes and see that whatever blessings the darkness may attempt to hide from us, we will see and receive what the divine light sends us.

Let’s all together sing and shout “HalleluJah !! Jesus Christ is Alive just as He

has said !!”

                                                                                 Br. Phil   4-18-14

QUOD SCRIPSI, SCRIPSI -- WHAT I WROTE, I HAVE WRITTEN -- CE QUE J'AI ECRIT, J'AI ECRIT -- «LO QUE HE ESCRITO, ESCRITO ESTA'

Listen, you guys, what I have written, I have written
Ecoutez, messieurs, ce que j'ai écrit, est écrit
Ascoltate, che ho scritto, e scritto
Oyed, que he scrito, y lo que he scrito esta
Denggenyo, ti sinuratko, sinuratko
Ang sinulat ko, sinulat ko

When I hear these words coming from Pilate I can't help but think that they are being said from the same frame of mind as when Caiphas said, "If this is from God, nothing can stop it."
I also remember the first chapter of John's Gospel when John states emphatically, "He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him." [John 1;11]  

I think that it is an important reminder to us who consider ourselves to be faithful disciples that if Pilate can show a glimmer of faith in the mystery that took place before him, we had better stay ready and open to all that God places before us along the road of life.

Today I sat there in the Benedictine monastery where the Passion Story was being chanted wondering about the toughness of Pilate before the officials of Jerusalem as compared to the weak heartedness of Jesus' closest disciples.  I was also asking myself if, like Peter, I need some prodding to enter the gate and come around the fire of the Savior's loving suffering.  John wasn't afraid, he was there, inside the courtyard and he had been recognized as a friend of the Captive.  He didn't have to be invited; Maybe he was daring the temple officials to try him too;  John didn't take out his sword.  He carried his faith out in the open believing that in the presence of the Divine Lamb he had nothing to fear.

What about us?  Do we fiddle faddle around the edges waiting to be invited?  Maybe it is time to repent;  maybe it is time to reconcile ourselves with God and His expectations of us for the greater glory of His Mission.

Quand j'entends ces mots venant de Pilate Je ne peux pas m'empêcher de penser qu'ils sont prononces dans le même l'esprit que lorsque Caïphe dit: «Si cela vient de Dieu, rien ne peut l'arrêter. »

Je me souviens aussi du premier chapitre de l'Evangile de Jean, où John affirme catégoriquement: «Il est venu chez les siens, et les siens ne l’ont pas accepté. " [ Jean 1 , 11 ]

Je pense que c'est un rappel important pour nous qui nous considérons comme disciples fidèles, que si Pilate peut montrer une lueur de la foi dans le mystère qui a lieu devant lui, nous ferions mieux de rester prêt et ouvert à tout ce que Dieu place devant nous le long de la route de la vie.

Aujourd'hui je me suis assis là, dans le monastère bénédictin où se chantât l’histoire de la Passion et je m'interrogeais sur la ténacité de Pilate devant les fonctionnaires de Jérusalem par rapport à la faible insouciance des plus proches disciples de Jésus. Je me demandais si, comme Pierre, j'ai besoin

d’insistance à entrer par la porte pour  venir me tenir autour du feu de la souffrance du Sauveur. Jean n'avait pas peur. Il était là, dans la cour et il a été reconnu comme un ami du captif. Il n'avait pas attendu d’être invitée; Peut-être même qu'il posait un défi effronté aux responsables du temple ;  Jean n'a pas pris son épée. Il a porté sa foi à l'air libre de croire que dans la présence de l'Agneau divin, il n'avait rien à craindre.

Qui sommes nous? Sommes-nous des bricoleurs timides qui nous tenons juste dehors de la clôture espérant que quelqu’un viendra vers nous pour nous inviter? Peut-être que c’est la saison du repentir ; peut-être qu'il est temps de se réconcilier avec Dieu et ses attentes de nous pour la plus grande gloire de sa mission .

Cuando oigo esas palabras viniendo de Pilato no puedo evitar de pensar que se dicen a partir de la misma mente que cuando Caifás dijo: "Si esto es de Dios, nada puede detenerlo."

También recuerdo el primer capítulo del Evangelio de Juan, cuando Juan dice enfáticamente: " Vino a los suyos, y los suyos no le recibieron. " [Juan 1, 11]

Creo que es un recordatorio importante para nosotros que nos consideramos discípulos fieles que si Pilato puede mostrar un atisbo de fe en el misterio que tuvo lugar antes que él, habíamos permanecer más listo y abierto a todos los que Dios pone delante de nosotros a lo largo del camino de la vida .

Hoy me senté en el monasterio benedictino donde se estaba cantando la Pasión.  Me preguntaba sobre la dureza de Pilatos ante los funcionarios de Jerusalén, en comparación con la despreocupación débil de los discípulos más cercanos de Jesús. Yo también me preguntaba si, al igual que Pedro , necesito un poco de insistencia para entrar en la puerta para acercarme del fuego del sufrimiento del Salvador. Juan no tenía miedo.  El estaba allí, en el interior del patio y que había sido reconocido como un amigo de la Cautiva. Él no tenía que haber sido invitado; Tal vez él estaba desafiando los oficiales del templo para juzgarlo demasiado; Juan no tomó su espada. Él llevó su fe seguro que, en presencia del Cordero Divino no tenía nada que temer.

¿Qué pasa con nosotros? ¿Quedémonos alrededor de los bordes a la espera de ser invitado ? Tal vez es hora de arrepentirse; tal vez es hora de reconciliarnos con Dios y Sus expectativas de nosotros para la mayor gloria de Su Misión.

**The Walls of Humanity's Heart**

The world is collapsing around the walls of Humanity’s Heart,

The actions of all the Saints could not move the Hands of Time, back to `Restart`.

The vapors of heat from the fires of Hell, burn much hotter, as many voices tell.

Seeking shelter from the dew of Heaven above,

Hardened and calloused Hearts repel

The Power of Divine Love.

Too many seeking the `perfect` girl or guy,

Students of the `Mysteries of Life` question the reasons “Why ?”

Another beat of the drum, another clang of the bell,

Mystics of the Ages asking “Is there a Heaven? Is there a Hell?”

                                                                                                              Br.Phil. B.

4.4.2014

  

** Les sciences humaines Les murs du cœur **

Le cœur du monde s'effondre autour des murs des sciences humaines,

Les actions de tous les Saints ne pourraient pas bouger la marche du temps par arrière.

Les vapeurs de la chaleur du feu de l'enfer, brûlent toujours beaucoup plus chaud,

Beaucoup de voix, de plus en plus nombreuses crient leurs plaintes.

Tout en cherchant un abri de la rosée du ciel la haut,

Les cœurs endurcis et calleux repoussent la puissance de l'amour divin.

Trop de recherche par les jeunes gens pour l’amie ou le mec parfait.

Ces étudiants des `mystères de la vie` questionnent les raisons avec un "Pourquoi" constant.

Un autre battement du tambour, un autre bruit de la cloche,

Mystiques des âges demandant  « Il y a t’il un paradis? Y a t’il un enfer?

Fr. Phil Bara

4.4.2014