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Saturday, April 19, 2014

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



Friday, April 18, 2014

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.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

**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



Wednesday, March 26, 2014

PSALM 40 -- A CALL TO MAKE THE GOOD NEWS KNOWN

9 I delight to do your will, my God;
your law is in my inner being!”
10 When I sing of your righteousness
in a great assembly,
See, I do not restrain my lips;
as you, LORD, know.
11 I do not conceal your righteousness
within my heart;
I speak of your loyalty and your salvation.
I do not hide your mercy or faithfulness from a great assembly.
                           Psalm 40; 9 - 11


Many times and many places I have found myself doing that which must be done.
No other person has the Words of Truth, to whom can I go, to where can I run.

The Life I live, the Teachings I give,
Forever Lord I find Mercy in Your Hand.
If I were to fly like an Eagle, or crawl across the Land.
Only You Oh Lord, give me the Strength, to make a Stand.

All the Galaxies and Heavenly Stars Above,
All Creation in Harmony, Sing of You, Endless Love !!!
                                                                                 Br.Phil. B. 3-25-14

Thursday, March 6, 2014

THE LAND IS GOSPEL TOO


Never lose an opportunity to perceive Beauty. 
Beauty is our Father Creator's handwriting.
See His Spirit in
Wayside Memorials, the Welcoming smile on a Friend's Face,
The Rich Blue of a Cloudless Sky,

Every Full Grown Forest,
The White Snow Tipped Mountains,
The Roaring of Swift Waters,
All of the Stars of a Black Desert Night.

In a Thankful Heart Beauty will Always Be  Revealed  !!! 
Those who have Eyes, will See !!! 
Those who have Ears, will Hear !!!
Those with a heart will surely love !!!

Wherever One will Trod upon the Paths of this Planet Earth,
Keeping ever Mindful of her Beauty`s Worth,
Open is the Pilgrims soul, towards the Above.                                
Trusting in our God`s  Merciful  Love .
                                                                     Bro. Phil Bara   3/6/2014

Monday, March 3, 2014

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.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

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