The rosary of wood

In the silence of the night, a Woman appeared. Through a pore on the roof, She entered. As if being beamed out from above. Without the brightness of Her glory, She came simply. Almost the whiteness of Her garment, Her deep blue cloak hid. Never She spoke, but a message She had. Never Her face was lit that I saw, but on the things Her hands were holding I was all eyes -- rosaries of two! On Her right palm was laid a rosary of wood: on the other, a rosary of gold. In a manner so gently, with hands open, She presented both to me; and, slowly, put forward Her right hand with the wooden rosary. Then, through which She came in, She left. Of the two, She was gesturing to choose the rosary of wood. Of simplicity in life despite Wealth. Of obscurity despite Fame. For not for our own whim but for His Own Will that wealth and fame be spent.

The Pagoda Bell Tower

Living a life of simplicity even in the life of faith spares Nature from destruction; and when Nature is being compromised, such is the gauge if life were lived in excess. Construction of the new bell tower was, indeed, unnecessary since one already existed at the foot of the Big Cross atop a Noah's Ark-inspired cathedral. But, the construction was pushed through and at the expense of a century-old acacia tree! Without the belfry, salvation can still be attained if and when that which is CENTRAL to our FAITH is prioritized and celebrated the proper way. Damage is already done, all right; and the only way to clean up this mess is self-forgiveness and preoccupation to proper celebration of the 'breaking of bread' instead of being busy with unnecessary things to faith. But, the ill effects of natural desecration linger so that, whether we like it or not, we are living with the consequence.