Advanced Study Group of Spiritism

EDITORIAL

TEXTS

SPIRIT MESSAGES

The conflicts of our times show failings in our hearts.

Evolution has actually become a tragedy today. It looks as if mankind were crossing a tunnel of darkness. Everywhere we are involved in anguish and confusion.

What is the trouble?, inquires a neighbor.

What do I care?, answers another.

What should we do? Let us get on with our work because Christ’s words have not changed. In spite of all difficulties, the Gospel has the answer to every spiritual problem.

We do not serve for our sake, but for Him.

Jesus is the heart of the Gospel. The best of everything in the way to God revolves around Him. In fact, what we can realize is always a small thing. However, we should not forget that a great city starts with a small stone. We are in the Christian life for the Kingdom of God. We cans top, to walk slowly or go a little faster.

In spite of our failings, it is important to our interest now that, as Christians, we do not hesitate to take our stand with Jesus. After all, the question is grave and this is the most important problem of the Christian life. Christ measures our lives not in terms of intelligence or fortune, but trough services to all men.

SPIRIT WORLD

(Translated from the 25th Portuguese edition entitled "Nosso Lar". First Portuguese edition published in 1944 by Federação Espírita Brasileira, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.)

Tobias' case made a deep impression on me. The memory of his home organized according to new principles of brotherly union, haunted my mind. After all, I also still considered myself the head of an earthly household and could well imagine how difficult it would be if I had found myself in a similar position. Would I have the courage to follow Tobias' example? I thought not. I could not see myself as capable of worrying my dear Zelia so much, nor would I accept such an imposition on her part.

My observations of Tobias' household tortured my mind, and I could find no satisfactory answer to my questions. I felt so perplexed that the following day I decided to pay Lysias a visit in my leisure time, in order to consult Laura, whom I trusted as a mother.

I was welcomed with great joy and had to wait for an opportunity to talk calmly with my friend's mother. When the young people left for their usual evening entertainment, I found myself alone with my generous friend. Although embarrassed, I told her what was troubling me. She listened attentively and responded with a knowing smile:

"You were right in coming to discuss this question with me. The solution of any soul-searching problem requires friendly cooperation."

After a brief pause, she went on:

"Tobias' case is but one example of countless similar arrangements here and in other spiritually evolved communities."

"But it does shock our feelings, doesn't it?" I remarked earnestly.

"From a merely human point of view, those things are even scandalous; however, my dear friend, we must now consider, above all, principles of a spiritual nature. So, André, we have to try to understand the evolutionary phases of life. Since we have to undergo a long period of animal existence, we cannot expect to get rid of it all of a sudden. We take centuries to emerge from the lower stratum. Sex is one of the most misunderstood of divine faculties. Thus, for the present, it won't be easy for you to grasp the evolved aspect of the domestic organization you visited yesterday. Still, you may be sure that great happiness reigns there, through the atmosphere of comprehension between the performers of the earthly drama. It isn't everyone who succeeds in substituting bonds of light for chains of darkness in such a short time."

"But is that a general rule?" I asked, "Do all men and women married more than once reorganize their home here to include all those with whom they may have formed affectionate ties?"

"Don't jump to conclusions," continued Laura, patiently, "Go slowly. Many may feel affection but have no affinity. You must bear in mind that vibratory conditions are far more important here than on Earth. Tobias' case is an example of the victory of true fraternity, won by three souls struggling for the acquisition of an evolved understanding. Whoever does not conform to the law of fraternity and mutual respect will automatically be barred from crossing those frontiers. The somber regions of the Shadowy Zone are crowded with entities that failed in similar trials. As long as they go on hating, they remain as unsteady compass needles, moved by every antagonistic influence. Likewise, if they don't understand the truth, they succumb to the domination of falsehoods and are unable to enter the zones of superior spiritual activities. Countless are those who suffer for long years without spiritual relief, only because they will not conform to the laws of legitimate fraternity."

"What happens then?" I asked as Laura paused briefly, "Since the poor souls on such trials aren't admitted to the spirit communities of evolved apprenticeship, where do they live?"

"After truly infernal torments of their own inferior creation," she continued, "they return to the physical sphere to begin again the lesson they wouldn't learn in the spirit plane. Divine Mercy grants them new bodies and complete oblivion of the past. They will then receive through blood ties those they deliberately shunned out of hate or incomprehension. We can thus realize and appreciate more the transcendental significance of Jesus' exhortations when He advises us to seek immediate reconciliation with our adversaries. We should follow this advice for out own good. Those who know how to use their time wisely can, on closing their earthly career, attain lofty spirit conditions with an untroubled conscience. Even though they may have to return to the flesh, their burden of trials and tribulations will be considerably lighter. Many spirits will spend centuries trying to overcome bitter feelings of hatred and resentment during their earthly sojourn, only to revert to them again on reentering the spirit world. The problem of forgiveness, according to Jesus, is extremely serious, and cannot be accomplished merely with lip service, for while a superficial pardon is but a question of words, those who would really forgive must dig deep into themselves and cast off the venomous dregs of former times."

Laura fell silent, as if pondering the far-reaching import of the profound concepts she had just voiced. Availing myself on the pause, I remarked:

"The experience of marriage is very sacred to me." My friends was not surprised at my observation, and replied:

"To spirits still undergoing simple animal experiences, our conversation must be devoid of all interest, but we, who have already learned the importance of illumination with Christ, must take into due consideration not only the experience of matrimony but also all sexual experience, as it greatly affects the life of the soul."

My wife ha always occupied a sacred place in my heart, above all other affections. Nevertheless, at these words, remembering my past as an ordinary man, I could not help blushing. On hearing Lysias' mother now, I recalled the time-honored words of the Old Testament: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house nor his wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ass, nor his ox, nor anything that is thy neighbor's". Suddenly, faced with Tobias' case, I felt unable to continue. Laura sensed my inner embarrassment and continued:

"Wherever the task of readjusting wrongs is common to all, there must be room for a great brotherly understanding and a deep respect for the Divine Mercy that offers us so many opportunities to work out our amends. For the creature who has already acquired some spiritual enlightenment, every sexual experience assumes an unsuspected significance. This is why no truly redeeming mission can be fulfilled without legitimate brotherly understanding. Just a short time ago I heard a highly-evolved instructor in the Ministry of Elevation declare that were he able he would materialize himself on the physical plane to teach the representatives of religious denominations in general, that, to be divine, all charity must be based on human brotherhood."

My hostess then closed our talk by inviting me to see Heloisa, who was still confined to her room. After a short visit to the young newcomer from the physical plane and noticing with pleasure her marked improvement, I returned to the Chambers of Rectification immersed in deep thought. I was no longer concerned with Tobias' conduct nor Hilda's or Luciana's attitude. I was filled with a profound awe at the all-embracing issue of human fraternity.

Chapter 40 AS YOU SOW, SO SHALL YOU REAP

I didn't know how to explain my wish to visit the Women's Department of the Chambers of Rectification. Nevertheless, I spoke to Narcisa about it, an she immediately offered to take me there.

"When the Father summons us to a certain place," she said kindly, "surely there is some work awaiting us there. Each situation in life has a desired end. Remember to watch for this principle in apparently causal visits. As long as our thoughts are turned to the practice of good, it won't be difficult to identify divine suggestions."

That same day, she and I went to find Nemesia, the prestigious superintendent of the Women's Department. It wasn't hard to find her. In the ward I saw rows of women in immaculately well-kept beds, all of them pitiable human wrecks. Here and there I heard heart-rending cries and agonizing exclamations. Nemesia, radiating the same kindness as Narcisa, welcomed me cordially.

"I suppose you must be accustomed to these scenes by now. The situation is about the same in the Men's Department."

And, with an expressive gesture to her companion, she went on:

"Narcisa, will you please show our brother all the different sections that you think may be educational for him? The ward is open to you."

On our way, we began discussing human vanity, always inclined to physical pleasures, and recalling observations and teachings on the subject. We reached Pavilion Seven, where I saw rows of women lying in a long line of beds each set equally distant from the others. I was studying their faces when one caught my eye. Who could the woman with that particular embittered face be? She looked prematurely old and worn, her lips twitching with a frustrated expression of irony and resignation. Her eyes were dim and sorrowful, and her sight seemed to be defective. With a heavy heart, I restlessly searched my memory. In a few moments I remembered her from my past – it was Elisa, the same Elisa I had known in my youth. Suffering had changed her, but there was no doubt in my mind.

I perfectly remembered the day an old friend of my mother's brought the poor girl to our house to enter our service. At first there was nothing unusual in our relationship, but gradually we forgot ourselves. Abusing the relationship between one who orders and one who serves, we grew more and more intimate. Elisa seemed to be frivolous and thoughtless, and when we were alone she often referred to her earlier irresponsible adventures, breaking down the last barriers of self-restraint between us.

One day, my mother called me to account. Such intimacy, she exhorted, was not good. It was quite right to be kind and generous to the maid, but our relationship should stay within wise limits. It was too late, though. We had already gone beyond those limits, and soon Elisa, lacking the courage to accuse me to my face, left our home.

Time passed, and the episode receded in my memory to a mere incident in my life. But, as everything else, it was not blotted out of my mind, and here was Elisa before me, downtrodden and humbled. Where had that wretched creature lived, who so early in life had experienced such sufferings? Where had she come from? This case was not like Silveira's in which I had shared responsibility with my father. Here, the debt was all mine. I was nervous and put to shame by the accusing reminiscences and, like a child anxious to be forgiven for wrongdoing, I turned to Narcisa for guidance.

At times I admired the trust those saintly women inspired in me. I might never have had the courage to ask Minister Clarence for the explanations I had asked of Lysias' mother. I probably would have acted otherwise had I been in Tobias' company at that moment. Considering that a generous and Christian woman is always a mother, I opened my heart to the kindly nurse, who seemed, by the way she looked at me, to understand everything. As I began to talk, I could hardly keep back my tears. I was only halfway through my painful confession when she interrupted me:

"You needn't go on, André. I can already guess the end of your story. I fully realize your moral torture from my own personal experience. However, you mustn't indulge in destructive thoughts. Since the Lord has granted you the opportunity of meeting this sister, it must be because He thinks it's time to repay your debt."

"Don't be afraid." She said, sensing my indecision, "Go to her and try to comfort her. Remember, brother that we always find the fruits of the good or evil we have sown. This statement isn't a mere doctrinal phrase – it's a universal reality. I have learned a great deal from similar situations. Blessed are the debtors who are ready to pay."

Seeing that I had already made up my mind to atone for the wrong committed, she added:

"Go on, but don't tell her who you are for the moment. Leave that for later, when you have already managed to help her. It won't be difficult, as she will continue to be almost blind for some time yet. By her aura, I can classify the poor thing as one of those unfortunate fallen women and defeated mothers."

We approached Elisa's bed and I began to speak comfortingly to her. She told us her name, and that she had been brought to the Chambers three months ago. Determined to humble myself before Narcisa so that the lesson should be indelibly written on my soul, I inquired:

"You must have suffered a great deal, Elisa. Was yours an unhappy life?"

Sensing the affectionate tone of my question, she smiled at me resignedly and said:

"Painful experiences are always eloquent examples." I replied.

The patient, who had undergone a deep moral transformation, reflected for a while, as if conjuring up the past, and began her story:

"I wasted my life as do all those reckless women who exchange the blessed bread of work for the venomous gall of illusion. Born in an extremely poor home, I was still very young when I went into service in the home of a well-to-do businessman. He ha a son who was as young as I. There my life underwent a great change. An undue intimacy gradually developed between his son and myself until at last all reaction on my part would have been useless. I forgot that God never denies work to those who wish to live worthily, and gave myself up to a series of painful experiences, which I needn't relate. I tasted the good things of life – material comfort, luxury, pleasures and gay company. But they were soon followed by self-hatred, venereal diseases, hospitalization, abandonment and disillusion. In the end came blindness and physical death. In great despair I wandered for a long time, until one day I prayed so fervently to the Blessed Virgin that, for her sake, some heavenly messengers rescued me and brought me here to this generous house of assistance."

"And who was that man that made you so unhappy" I asked, moved to tears.

I heard my name and that of my parents', and anxiously asked her whether she hated him:

"All through my past suffering, I cursed him with mortal hatred; but Sister Nemesia has changed me. I realize now that to hate him I should have to hate myself, for in my case, the blame must be shared between us. So, I mustn't reproach anyone."

Touched by her humility, I took her hand. A tear of remorseful repentance fell on it.

"Listen, my friend," I said with strong emotion, "my name is also André, and I want to help you. >From now on you may count on me. I'll do all I can for you."

"And your voice," she remarked, ingenuously, "is like his."

"Up to now," I went on, "I haven't had a family, so to speak, here in The Astral City. So you will be my dear sister, and can rely on my devoted friendship."

"Oh, how grateful I am to you!" She exclaimed, drying her eyes which lit up with a radiant smile, "It's such a long time since I heard a kind voice comfort me with affectionate words. May Jesus bless you."

At that moment, as my tears fell abundantly, Narcisa, in a motherly gesture, took both my hands and repeated Elisa's words:

"May Jesus Bless you."

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS