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April 17th, 2002
Received by H.
Cuenca, Ecuador.
Let’s see, my dear brother, if we are luckier
today in our undertaking.
Now, in the year 28, when Jesus was attacked and provoked by different
Jewish groups, especially in Judea, one day when we were gathered with
the Master in Bethany. In the course of a discussion with him we
addressed the topic of Pharisee doctrines which agreed with what
Jesus preached in some aspects, but in other aspects were quite
different.
The Pharisees were the Jewish doctrinal group of highest influence
in Judea, and, what is not very well-known today, they even sent
missionary delegations abroad to preach among Jews and Gentiles,
succeeding in converting many heathens halfway to Judaism, that
is to say, they adopted basic Jewish precepts, such as Sabbath observance,
without taking the final step of becoming circumcised. Those people
were known as “Godfearers.” Incidentally, they would form
in the future the “culture broth” for the diffusion of
Christianity amongst the heathens.
Jesus explained to us that doctrines in themselves do not cause
damage, because each man has enough criteria for distinguishing
between what is true and what is not true.
Comparing doctrines with food, Jesus
explained:
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“Don’t you see that whatever goes into the mouth
passes into the stomach and then out of the body altogether?
But the things that come out of a man’s mouth come from
his heart and mind, and it is they that really make a man
unclean.”
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Deepening on the topic, he pointed out to us that there is a superior
law, the Law of Love, and that all people bear a copy of this law
burned into their souls. This law serves us as a guideline. Without
the knowledge of this law, it would be impossible for men to find
their way. And in each instance, when men break that law, deep inside
in their hearts they know it.
When listening to diverse doctrines, we all have the capacity of
discernment of what is or may be the truth, and of what certainly
is not the truth, simply by evaluating their loving value. This way,
false doctrines pass through us without causing damage, because
we discard them. But truth stays in us, we incorporate it, we convert
it into a part of us.
As a matter of fact, human doctrines are false because of the human
lack of actual knowledge. However, although they may be false, when
they are loving, they undoubtedly have much value.
And Jesus was right, of course. Decades later, when Bar Nebi and
Sha’ul, better known as Barnabas and the apostle Paul, undertook
their mission amongst the heathens, the pharisaical doctrine had opened
up the way for them to a large extent.
But it is also true that false and noxious doctrines very easily
find a place in people’s hearts. How is this possible, if we
have that built-in guideline?
Well, if we compare that innate guideline with a seed, then it
needs appropriate conditions for developing. If we don’t provide
those conditions, it will never develop, and the “weeds”
will easily suffocate it.
This is a shared responsibility. When the child grows up in an
atmosphere filled with perversion and crime, of course, this seed
will not find any opportunity for developing, and it is more than
probable that that child will adopt those attitudes as its own,
which it observes in its surroundings. Nevertheless, more than once
in people’s life, they will have the opportunity for discovering
this truth in their souls, with the help of other people, but it
depends on them, whether they take advantage of the occasion. As I have
said, this is a shared responsibility, a responsibility of society.
Instigation to violence or evil in general, through words or through
example, is the expression of the extreme poverty in the condition
of the instigator’s soul. Sadly, they will find many, who will
follow their advice, especially, when opposed voices are absent.
And now I wish to return to the message I delivered two days ago.
I mentioned that you were silent, and you felt that I did not like
this at all.
There are thousands of religions in the world, and the great majority
of them preach love. I will not start a discussion on the differences
between natural love and Divine Love now, but you understand also
that natural love and the efforts to develop it constitute a valuable
means to improve the situation of the world.
So often we witness discussions on the differences between religions,
that one is superior to the others, and men never get tired of highlighting
the virtues of their own religion, stressing the flaws in those
of other people. But they forget that they all contribute to humanity’s
development in a positive way.
When, on the other hand, evil presents itself in its undisguised
and naked form, suddenly they lack the bravery to pronounce themselves
decisively and vigorously in opposition. But, my friend, this is
not simply the expression of opinion; it is the intent of opening
the eyes of those whose souls are completely covered by that “weed.”
Create opportunities. Your ideas, correct or false, at least may
get other people to meditate on them. If they reject them, it is
their responsibility, if they accept them, congratulations! Moreover,
if your ideas and thoughts contain some love, they cannot be so
bad, don’t you think?
Don’t waste your energy trying to make people change their
way and follow you along yours, if the other way also leads to the
same goal, perhaps with a few more twists and turns. There
are so many, who walk around blindly and without direction. Would
it not be better helping them to also find their way? And their
way will not necessarily be your way, but it will be a way of love.
Evil will perish, and false teachings will disappear. “Every
plant which my Heavenly Father did not plant will be pulled up by
the roots,” said Jesus. However, silence will not achieve this
objective.
Very well, I think we have succeeded in putting to paper a good
part of what I intended to say. Remember the message
that states:
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“I will use the example of a choir of voices. Individually,
when your voice is raised in song, it is small when it is
released into the air. But, if your voice was only one among
hundreds, the song you sing would take on a power and influence
that could be heard as a mighty sound.”
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It expresses very well what I have in mind.
Now I will say good-bye. I wish you a day full
of blessings.
Your friend and brother,
Judas
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