BY THE LIGHT OF SWEET SISTER MOON

Once upon a time, more than 800 years ago there lived a rich son born of privilege who found true treasure in the abundance of God's creation.  He set aside his fine toggery, his spirited horse, fine wine and comfortable abode.  He not only turned away from all the material comforts to which he had access, he also spurned the ego comfort of leadership in favor of the communitarian warmth of brotherhood.  He never married, at least not to another human being.  His true spouse was his beloved Church.

To him is attributed the following prayer.  Oh, would that it were so.  As it is, the prayer is just a little bit over 100 years old.  It comes from France, not Italy.  Even though it is not from St. Francis, it is our humble opinion that it has the soul of Francis.  We offer it to you for the depth of its spiritual value.  We also suggest that you click here for the historical information about it.  You'll notice that you will still appreciate it, no matter the historical background.  It is a very popular and a spiritually moving poetic prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

ALL IS WELL!

To appreciate this you must read it more than once

All is well !!   The mandatory rituals of University Life are consuming the hours of society's youth. This humdrum existance of repetitive intellectual activity has  pre-empted the present moments, only to be followed by still more of the same.  The very structure of mankind is being pushed aside by the momentum of the filing of never to be used knowledge.
Decades have passed, hour upon hour, bit by bit, still the population cries for more.  More time, more food, more technical advancements, till the very Heart of Humanity will no longer exist.

All is well !!  The adolescent rebels against the tide of yesterdays invention, only to repeat the same pattern of `that` which was before without appreciating the good that it represented.
Infants in throw away diapers growing, so that space will be made for more infants, in `new improved` toss away diapers. The aging close their eyes to the Fresh Horizons, gazing only at yesterday's fading colors.  Life gets fresher for the young seekers while it slips through the  the slower moving shadows of the elderly mind.

All is well !!  The Light of  years traveling in dreamy memories and finally perceived by the eyes of today, yet no longer existing at the source. Sounds of many atomic structures listened to by many with letters following their names.  This and much more being considered by others attempting to decipher the music of oceanic mammals.  Yet starving children sit and cry because of the hunger that may never be satisfied.

All is well !!  Billions of `greenbacks` traded for more of the same, people stretching, perspiring, and given monetary awards by simply winning a meaningless game. Student gatherings shouting, expressing pride in their athletic teams; the mothers of martyrs harmonizing their screams, hoping for an eternal crown of Laurel.
Lonely girls at home folding hands in prayer, imagining that a knight in shining armor is out there who will one day be theirs.

All is well !!  The Baptist preacher invites many to follow the Lord.  The Australian Aborigine repeats time tested sounds from a hollowed out gourd. Industrial cities laid out as waste, a winebibber guzzling aftershave just to ease the taste. Prophets only guessing at when it will end.
This is just a *Hammering* that flowed freely, that I send.  I am stopping now, at the gateway of hell, yet I still hear the `Voices` shouting ***All is well !! ***
                                                                                                                               Br.Philip.  2-2-14

PTSD, NO JOKE -- AND THERE'S MORE --

“The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with Healing in His Wings.” Malachi 4:`2

    The son of David and Maria Stanza, David Jr. the eldest son of this St. Paul, Minn. Catholic family dealt with the ongoing

repercussions of traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder. JR., the name that family and friends called him, struggled for months attempting to make sense of civilian life. Retreating more from the daily areas of living, JR. found

himself ultimately isolating himself from all the enjoyable things of life.

   JR. admitted himself to the confines of Walter Reed National Medical Center, with these words; “Nothing can hurt me.

Nothing can scare me. I need no one, and no one needs me.” The doctors of this center recognized JR`s malady, for the

studies of recent years had enlightened them concerning the disharmony JR. suffered.  JR. followed the advice of the counselors  and soon recognized how distant he had become from the enjoyments of life.

   Joining the activities of `Team River Runners`, a nonprofit fellowship of veterans from around the country. JR. quickly

was rejuvenated by the healing power found in Nature’s running rivers and streams. This fellowship of kayaking and fast water canoeists has had the effect of healing for a large percentage of the members.

   Today, unlike the previous generations of military veterans there are many outreaches offered by the Dept. of Veterans

Affairs and other community programs assisting in the physical and psychological issues of present day returning G.I.`s.

   The awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-P.T.S.D., Traumatic Brain Injuries-T.B.I.`s, suicide, substance abuse,

alcoholism, and depression caused isolationism, has increased in the medical and clinical associations. These groups are

working together in much closer affiliations with themselves and the veterans than ever before.

   Throughout history the internal injuries of the `Protectors of Freedom` the Armed Forces, have always been studied.

The terms; A Soldiers Heart, Shellshock, Battle Fatigue, and Sailors Sorrow, are just a few of the many names given to

describe the `Fight to Fight Stress` personalities related to the disharmony found in veterans.

   On Sept. 16th 2011, a former Navy Reservist, shot and killed 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard. This event is

just one of the many tragedies caused by the complications of the psycho-emotional states of war time veterans.

Veterans of the Vietnam War era finally after many years of denial and lack of knowledge are stepping forward to

receive the therapeutic assistance of present day research.  The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Centers throughout

the U.S.A. have recently listed alcoholism, drug addiction, and domestic violence, as the major areas of discord.

   The many misconceptions of the past have been eliminated over the past 35 years. Therapies of various types also

have proven to be beneficial to the once `hopeless, helpless, homeless, veteran.` Advertisements, TV announcements,

radio interviews, and the National Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-TALK) have opened doors of healing to veterans,

families, and friends.

    Being a veteran myself, I have personally experienced the the positive benefits of therapy, along with the grace

supplied by God because of the many that pray for veterans.

   

Here is a short list of Health references available to veterans and their families:

veteranscrisisline.net.                            maketheconnection.netwomensveteranshotline.net        ptsd.va.gov.                                           coachingintocare.net.                   

National Call Center for Homeless         

giveanhour.org.                                                 

startmovingforward.org.                 Veterans.....1-877-4AID-VET.

  Lets not forget the Armed Forces Members and the Veterans this Christmas Season !!

                                                                                  

Always Remember `FREEDOM is not FREE !!`

                                                                                                

Br. Phil Bara.   12-4-13

IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IS NOT BROKEN -- IT IS VIOLATED --

Saying that the U.S. immigration system is "broken" is like saying that the girl's hymen is broken after she has been raped.  Saying that the health care system in the U.S. is "broken" falls into the same category.
These are not "broken" systems. they have been raped, and in fact, not just raped, but gang raped.

In 1986 the Simpson - Mazzoli act became law.  The core of the law is that no person who is not able to prove via documentation that he/she has the legal right to be in the country should not be hired to work.

This was the time of the creation of the form I-9.  I was a director of human resources for a large international company in San Diego, California at the time.  I saw what was coming, so I attended the training sessions that the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) presented to human resources managers, directors and other significant business leaders to learn how to distinguish between authentic and counterfeit documents.  As it turns out, it was far from rocket science, to use an old expression.  It took me about 30 seconds to realize that an authentic Social Security card was printed by an inked,cloth like ribbon and you could tell immediately.  Cards that were printed from any other media were bogus.  

I also learned how to detect counterfeit "Green Cards" in a flash.  No one got by me.  No one.  Some challenged my judgment and none won.  

I had to deal with sloppy "temp" agencies.  That was easy.  If they did not cooperate with me, they lost the business.  It also cost them a lunch for which they got nothing but my stiff-necked refusal to hire undocumented people that they presented.  It was easy.  I learned and I acted.  I refused offers for money, gifts and yes, sex.  In one instance, the most pressure was laid to bare by a politically well placed engineering director of a very successful and well heeled government contractor.  I beat him too.  

The immigration system is not broken.  It has been raped for all the years that it has been in place.  Yes, the very people who passed the laws, the very people who have the responsibility to enforce the law prefer to take money and make whores of themselves rather than to live by what they propose that others should practice.  

The next time you hear that a "system" is broken, any system, rest assured that the person who is saying that is one of the whores who takes the money from the "johns" who don't want to submit to the requirements of the system.  I have stories about the health care system too.  I also have stories about the labor law system.  I do not have to invent them.  They happened right in front of my very eyes.  Some of them are still happening.  

So, friends and neighbors, enjoy the ride.  It takes a real sense of humor to be able to get through life.  I often wish I had the talent of a political cartoonist.  I don't, so I guess I'll just have to get by with the little talent that I have.

** Liberation from the Beast**

As I have journeyed through life, over many winding paths, I have tasted the many fruits of the Tree of Life. Not all of the fruit were sweet, some were filled with bitterness. In my early days of searching for Peace within myself. I wandered into the deceptions and delusions of the bad fruit that looked good. Ahh!  the wonders of psychedelics, methamphetamines, and the thirst quenching beverages of alcohol.  

These beverages never quenched my thirst, only made me thirst for more.   Trusting in the combinations of these fruits to lead me to an enlightenment, only led me to be seduced into a web of illusions, deceptions, and debauchery.

I lived this life of darkness and found that with it came the treasures of darkness. A falsehood that caused me to believe that I was blessed with all that life had for me. As time proceeded the treasures became the chains that held me tight in a grip that I could not break free from. The only way that I seemed to be blessed in these chains was to partake more of the fruit that caused more bondage. These chains I found were held by a `beast`, a beast that was never satisfied by the amount of the bitterness, guilt, shame, and debauchery that I continued in.

I became fodder for this beast because rapidly all the pleasures that I had found were taken and I had no way to hold on to the blessings I thought I had. Soon my life with every bit of myself was to be consumed by this beast.

Suddenly a moment of time arrived when a traveler on this planet Earth collided with me crossing this path of destruction. This traveler introduced me to a group of travelers that knew of my agony and pain. These travelers asked me if I desired to be freed from this beast. I cried in anguish the answer; “Yes ! I need to be free !!”   With the quarter of sanity that I had I grabbed hold of this `Spiritual Rope` that was offered to me.  I grabbed hold of this Rope with both hands, and I was led to a step called `Surrender`.   I being defeated and close to death, I found this Surrendering easy.  

Feeling better, healthier, and having a position of employment that gave me an income, I became seduced by the sound of a familiar voice. The voice called me in a very sensual way, similar to the songs of the mythical Siren of Greek lore. The glamor enticed me to follow its leading, surely this time all will be different. I am much healthier and I will not allow myself to be chained, this time. “ I can do this !!  There is still fun to be had !!”  A new battle cry !! ......!!

A day arrived unlike any other that I had experienced occurred. A day in which I had a need, a need to find the `Rope`. The Rope that had in the past brought me to health and a life that I had gave me a freedom of choice. I was brought to my knees pleading in prayer that a traveler would once again cross my path on this downward spiral. That same day I was approached by a traveler that recognized me. Once again I was offered the Rope, this Rope that led to Liberation. I grabbed hold of the Rope, this time tying myself around the waist.

Pulled into the gathering of travelers, I was once again led to the stairway, to the step named `Surrender`.  Being tied with the Rope I seemed to be lifted to a concept of living One Day

at a Time !!  I was introduced to a source of Power, a Way, a Truth, and a Life, that increased within me and seemed to flow through me to others. This Power I found was always close

as long as I followed directions that were suggested to me by the fellow travelers and remained willing to hold onto the Rope.

As I traveled with this clan of travelers, I have heard others cry out in the pain that I had experienced; “Please ! Help me !”  I did not know what to do to help others to be free from the

devouring beast. I asked others “What can I do ?” Following the directions that were given me and staying with the clan, these others were also set Free and Liberated from the beast.

The Journey of Life does not have to be lived alone.  For the last 50 years many have grabbed the Rope of Recovery and have been led to the Life giving steps of Narcotics Anonymous.

Freedom and Liberation from the Beast of Addiction is happening every day—One Day At A Time !!  In many countries throughout the Earth !!!

                                                                                                                                           Br. Phil B.    `15 yrs. CLEAN`

LETTERS (BLOG POSTS?) ARE NOT A WASTE OF TIME - HERE'S WHY

God of Everlasting Life, Bless us !! Thank You Lord, for all the
areas of Your Presence !!
How many times in our lives have we done things, such as
participate in social activities, and thought to ourselves, "this
is just to pass time" ?
How many times have we written simple letters and cards to
others, thinking that the writing was only momentary and would be quickly forgotten?
Many years ago, in Lorraine France, a child was born,
Nicolas Herman. As Nicolas matured he joined the Carmelite
Order changing his name to Br. Lawrence of the Resurrection.
Br. Lawrence's position at the monastery was in the kitchen.
Day after day, Lawrence prepared food, washed dishes, and
kept the kitchen clean. The tasks, although menial, were
always done with enthusiasm.
Br. Lawrence always lifted the tasks up as an offering of worship to our Creator.  The kitchen always seemed to be filled with the Presence of God. The supplies seemed to always be sufficient and the work was always done.
Br. Lawrence  would write letters to others during his free time.  A few of these letters were read by some members of the Church hierarchy. These officials were amazed at the depth, insight, and eloquence of the content in the letters.
As time progressed the interest in the letters grew. The letters were gathered together and published into a book entitled *The Practice of the Presence of God* has been, and still is, read by Catholic and Protestant students alike.
The message throughout the ages remains the same. This being that when the simple tasks of living are dedicated to God, with thanksgiving, they become an inspiration to others. A simple friendly greeting may have the Power to change someone`s Life. An action done with Love has the ability to change a community.
In reflecting upon this let us not underestimate the significance of the simple moments of Life.

                                            Br. Phil Bara  10-28-13
To explore more about the life and the letters of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, ODC, click here.

CHRIST'S SOLDIER - MILES CHRISTI

Ephesians 6:12—We are not fighting against beings made of flesh and blood, but against beings without physical forms. Rulers of an unseen world, princes of darkness, roaming throughout the metaphysical realms. 
  Many of us have served in the military during times of war.  An area of importance that we encountered during our service time was the learning about and the identification of the enemy.  One of the ways to learn about the opposition was to know what the opposition was not.   Spending hours studying, practicing, and  drilling in the many ways of warfare gave us the ability to use correct tactics.  Comparing the tactics that we used against those used by the enemy gave us the ability to perceive very quickly the difference between friend and foe.  This principle is also useful in our Catholic Journey.  As we grow and proceed forward on the Path that our Faith leads.  We as soldiers in the Lord`s service learn about the challenger of our Faith by studying Scriptures. We also practice applying the Truth of Scripture in our lives which gives us the discernment of knowing the one that steals, kills, and destroys the Blessings our King Jesus gives us.  The more we participate in the many activities of our Catholic Tradition the stronger and more confident we become as members of His militia.
 Communication with Headquarters is an important area in every battle ground maneuver. Soldiers in the field need to know what the orders are on a daily basis.  We as combat warriors surrounded by the many Faith destroying minions also need to communicate with our Heavenly Commander and Chief, Jesus Christ.
Prayer is our method of contact. We request our directions, get confirmed orders by the agreement found through our leaders, and we initiate the commands by our actions.  The more we willingly persevere in our Scripture studies, our participation in the Sacraments, and our adapting ourselves to the time tested Traditions, the more areas we conquer for the Kingdom of our King Jesus Christ !!
                                                                                  October 2013.    Br.Phil. Bara