JULY NEWSLETTER 2014
MATERIAL CHARITY & MORAL CHARITY
“Love one
another and do unto others what we wish they would do unto us. All that is religion
and moral is contained in these two precepts.”
“If they were observed in this world, then everyone
would be happy and there would be no more hate or resentment. I go even
further: there would be no more poverty because all the poor people would be
fed from the superfluity of the rich. Neither would poor women be seen dragging
wretched children along the dark and somber streets where I lived during my
last incarnation.”
“Those among you who are rich, think on this a while!
Help to the best of your abilities all those who are less fortunate. Give, in
order that one day God may recompense the good you have done; and so, on
leaving your terrestrial body behind, you may encounter a host of grateful spirits
who will receive you at the threshold to a happier world. Oh! If you could but
know the joy felt when, on reaching the world beyond, I found those whom I had
been given to serve!”
“Therefore, love your neighbors; love them as you
would love yourself, because you now know that by repelling even one wretched
person it is always possible that perhaps you are sending away a brother,
father or friends from other [life] times. If this happens to be the case,
imagine your despair when you recognize them again on reaching the spiritual
world!”
“I wish you to understand exactly what moral
charity really is. It is something that all can practice, that costs nothing
materially speaking, but which is most difficult to exercise. Moral charity
then comprises the giving of support to all our fellow creatures and is least
done in this inferior world where you now find yourselves incarnated.”
“Believe me, there is great merit in keeping quiet
while another, perhaps less intelligent, is speaking. This is but one kind of
moral charity. To play deaf when mocking words escape the lips of one
accustomed to deride, or to ignore the disdainful smiles of those who are receiving
you, when they quite wrongly suppose themselves to be far above you,
constitutes merit.”
“However, in actual fact it will quite often be found
that in the spiritual world, the only real life, these same persons are
far below us [morally and intellectually]. The merit to be gained in these
situations is not due to humility, but to charity, in as much as to ignore bad behavior is a moral charity. Nevertheless, this kind of charity
must not be allowed to interfere with the other kind [material charity] already
mentioned.”
“Therefore, be especially careful never to despise
your fellow beings. Remember everything I have told you, and that if you repel
a poor or needy person you may perhaps be repelling a spirit who was once dear
to you, who temporarily finds him or herself in an inferior position to you.”
“I have found here [in the spirit world] one of the
destitute from Earth whom happily I had been able to help several times and
from whom, in my turn, I must now implore help. I remind you that Jesus
said we are all brothers and sisters…Goodbye; think of those who suffer and
pray for them. – Spirit communication by Sister Rosalie
(From Kardec’s book The Gospel according to Spiritism translated from the French by Janet Duncan.)
THE GREAT BENEFIT OF PRAYER
Written by Miguel Vives
“Prayer! This is a subject much discussed, but abandoned by many Spiritists. I’m not speaking of routine, conventional and/or systematic prayers. I speak of prayers accompanied by sentiment, firm will, and love and adoration of our Father. I speak of prayer that enlightens, that consoles, and which is felt in the depths of the soul. I speak of prayer that allows a being to emancipate itself from the misery and faults of the earth.”
“We have to take into consideration that humanity is full of faults, evil tendencies, hypocrisy, egotism and pride. Each being on this planet gives off something of itself and what they are. Put a Spiritist in the midst of so much imperfection, and in spite of his beliefs, he will become contaminated with what emanates from others...”
“Therefore, as I understand it, for a Spiritist to cleanse himself [or herself] of vices he must saturate himself with superior fluids [or energy] and superior influences to the ones that surround him on this world, and in addition, so that these beneficial fluids can reach him, he must put himself in a condition to receive them.”
“When a being prays with fervor, his spirit elevates itself in search of those in the spirit world (to those spirits that live within it) whose principal mission is universal charity.”
“They never leave unsupported those whose willpower reaches theirs. Then a fluidic link is established between he who prays, and the influence that receives it. These influences from the spirit world then surround him with a spiritual light, one that will cleanse him of the imperfect fluids that have attached themselves to him. Then after his prayers, he has not only cleansed himself of imperfect fluids (those which would attract ignorant and malevolent spirits), but now he has surrounding him a wholesome [spiritual] atmosphere of beneficial fluids that act as a barrier to oppose perverse influences that could dominate him.”
(Excerpt from the book A Practical Guide for the Spiritist by Miguel Vives translated from Spanish by our founder EDGAR CRESPO, available on www.amazon.com .)
POINTS TO PONDER
Written by Yvonne C. Limoges
“God helps those who help themselves” and prayer is one of the most important ways to do this.
We should fully understand the tool and great power that sincere and heartfelt prayer provides us.
We know that wherever we go and through the people we meet, we may attract ignorant spirits.
That is why Spiritist teachings emphasize the practicing of good moral conduct, so we don’t attract these types of spirits. However, we cannot always keep from doing so, because we are ourselves are imperfect and because of all the imperfect humans on our world!
If we feel sad, upset, moody or angry for seemingly no reason it could be we are being affected by spirits that may be surrounding us with their negative influences.
We do have our spirit guides who love us and do their best to help us, but we must also do our part.
First, we must try to be a good person as much as possible. We also need to control our thoughts.
Secondly, it is through the type of prayer described by Miguel Vives in the previous article that can help ward off and protect ourselves from ignorant spirits and also better help us support and overcome whatever it is we chose to experience in this lifetime.
This type of prayer is also a tremendous tool for those with any type of addictions, and who truly wish to conquer them. However, we encourage an evaluation by a medical professional in case treatment is necessary as certain addictions affect the material body; we must also take care of our physical bodies that we use here upon earth. Addictions affect both body and soul.
In conclusion, pray for courage, resignation, assistance to correct any character flaws, pray for those you love here and in the spirit world, and for peace, harmony and protection about you, your family and friends, and for the peace our planet so desperately needs.
A PRAYER TO A LOVED ONE
Dear God, May you see fit to
favorably receive this prayer in the name of [one who recently left this material
world].
Help him/her to perceive the
divine lights that will guide his/her pathway to eternal happiness. Permit the
good spirits to take him/her our words and thoughts.
You, who were so dear to so
many in this world, listen to my voice which calls to offer anew a pledge of
affection from those who love you dearly.
God allowed that you would be
liberated before us, and since the Divine laws are perfect, we cannot complain
because this would be equal to a wish that you still be subject to the
sufferings of material life.
Therefore, we must all wait
with resignation for the moment of our reunion in that happier world, where you
have arrived before us. Yet, we know this separation is only temporary, and
however long it may appear to be, its duration is nothing compared to the
blessed eternity which God has promised.
You no longer have over your
eyes the material veil of this world which hides the splendors of the future
existence from us. Now you can contemplate new marvels and are among the superior
loving spirits.
Finally, how sweet and
consoling to know, that you will not forget us, as we will never forget you.
May the peace of the Lord be with you!
AMEN
(Prayer from The Gospel according to Spiritism)
WHO ARE WE & WHY ARE WE HERE?
Written by Yvonne C. Limoges
We are spirits that live eternally. We should never fear “death”; it is only a transition. We temporarily are reborn with physical bodies, for as many times as it takes, into a material world which acts as a classroom so we can learn (through lessons we chose ahead of time) to progress. The good spirits that love us help us all the time, but we should try and quiet our minds so we can better receive their advice and inspirations. We should look inward, with a quiet mind and prayer, to determine the best way for us to constructively live our life, and so we can make better choices.
OPEN YOUR HEARTS
Inspirationally received by Alysia Pape
Most
people tend to keep to themselves, when they should be opening their hearts to
family, friends, and neighbors. Perhaps your friends may simply need someone to
talk to; even if you give no advice. Open your heart to your family; they
support and help you [and even if they don’t], do the same for them.
Open
your heart to a stranger, by saying “good morning” with a genuine smile, as you
pass them by. It could change the rest of their day.
Practice
opening your heart to others around you, and see how it can change many things,
for you and the ones you opened up to.
BEAUTY IN CREATION
Inspirationally received by
Alysia Pape
This
beautiful world is covered in nature! If you are feeling sad, alone, depressed,
sick, or just not feeling yourself…go outside and look around.
The
sound of the waves at the beach with the bright and warm sun can lift your
spirits. Maybe the sound and a shadowy spot on a river front will help you
relax. Perhaps being out in a boat on the sea with the wind in your face will
make you happy for a bit. Maybe a visit to a pet store where you can see many
wonderful animals and pet them will help you feel not so all alone.
There
can be the excitement of a happy puppy, or even your own dog or cat, wanting
you to pet it; pleasure in the watching of a butterfly fly in your yard with
its graceful and pretty colors; and, in looking up into the dark sky filling
with bright stars and feeling the awesome space above you in the cool night
air.
All
of these things God gave to us for a reason.
There
are so many things God created besides the planet. He created everything. But,
not only for their necessity in the way the world’s ecosystem works, but for
all of God's creatures and creations to enjoy each other. Every place and
creature has its own unique beauty, go out into the world and find some!
WE ARE ALL EQUAL
Spirit communication received by
Yvonne C. Limoges
Oh Humanity, when will you stop judging your fellow humans? Why must you look for differences amongst yourselves instead of seeing how much you all have in common?
You are all the children of the same Father, the Creator Who loves and watches over all of you!
You are all human beings! All of you have the same biological and spiritual heritage and all live on the same planet. What rights one has, should be the rights of all!
Those who would find fault with another no matter what the cause: whether because of race, religion, ethnic background, wealth or poverty, nationality, sex, or any other differences you may identify…woe unto you!
You will bring down upon yourself, the same animosity, prejudice and wrongful acts you have directed towards your own brothers and sisters!
When you harm or do violence towards others, you do it to yourself!
Such is the Law of Cause and Effect and the Law of Reincarnation. These equalize all before God’s Eyes!
Who may now be born in a family of Protestants in this life, in another may be reborn into a Catholic family, etc., etc.; a man may be reborn as a woman; a person of one nationality may be reborn within his current enemy’s nation; and. so on and on…
You must view everyone solely as a human being, the lowest common denominator amongst you upon the earth, and look upon each other, as either your brother or your sister.
(NOTE: We are all imperfect spirits initially created ignorant. As we complete each life time we progress and better ourselves, eventually we will only have charity and love within our hearts. Then we will no longer have to suffer. Each spirit travels a long spiritual journey and ends with reaching relative perfection. In this aspect, we are ALL equal before the Creator. - Y. L.)
LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS
Written by Yvonne Crespo Limoges
On July 16, NASA announced that within the next two decades we should find life on other planets.
There are 100 million worlds in the galaxy and they found that there are about “1-5 sun-like stars” and “small planets are extremely common.”
These situations are more like our planet.
There are currently three powerful telescopes in space searching for life. You can check the NASA website or see the link below:
http://www.aol.com/article/2014/07/16/nasa-we-are-not-alone/20931972/?ncid=webmail2
Comment: The
spirits have consistently communicated that there exist many worlds in the
Cosmos with intelligent life, with inhabitants at all levels of intelligence
and morality.
As our own spirit evolves, we will be able to reincarnate
unto these higher spiritual worlds where there is only goodness and love.
We are also told that even our own planet will eventually progress
into one of peace and happiness as the spirits on it evolve.
The Creator is All Love and the Law of Progress provides
that everyone will be able to reside on these wonderful worlds of peace and
love, sooner or later. – Y.L.
***********************************
Edited by Yvonne Crespo Limoges,
Director
E-mail: ylimoges@aol.com
Spiritist Society of
Florida
5042 22 Avenue North,
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710 Website: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com
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