======================================================================== *** T H E L I T T L E W O R K E R *** ======================================================================== Published by CDTTT-The Committee for the Difussion of The Third Testament May 1999 Issue ======================================================================== __________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS: -Note from the Little Worker -Forgiveness -Repentment -Invited Column: Daily Life ____________________________________________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥« ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ NOTE FROM THE LITTLE WORKER Hi! Before anything else, I would like to thank all the readers of this newsletter, who have written to us encouraging to continue with this work; likewise, to those who have shared with us the transformation which the Divine word has accomplished in their lives. May The Lord bless all of them. Today, continuing with what we had initiated in the previous newsletter, we will write about themes which interest all of us, but that are seldom exteriorated. Themes, that when they are analyzed and understood under the Divine light, take a different sense and may reach another dimension, taking us to live a more plentiful, free, spiritual and elevated life. ____________________________________________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥« ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ FORGIVENESS: In the 1970's, with the movie Love Story, actress Ali McGraw put into fashion a sentence which stated: "Love is never having to say I am sorry." And really, if the love of those beings which populate this planet would be true, we would never have to ask for forgiveness. But, since we have not yet understood the true meaning of "Love one another", we live in a world where we would constantly have to ask for forgiveness, and I mean "we would constantly have to" because unfortunately the human being in most cases upon committing an error, does not want to recognize it, and if he does, refuses the humiliation of having to ask for forgiveness. In the same manner, he who has been offended or grieved, often refuses to forgive. And the question arises: What is more difficult, to ask for forgiveness or to forgive? What is it that leads us in one case or the other not to put into practice the greatest example of love and humility that human kind has received through the Divine Master? He who, being at the cross, and after having been mocked and tortured, elevating a prayer to the skies said: "Father forgive them, as they do not know what they do." Once again, as always in our history, what continues to be causing our being lost is our lack of love, and our enormous arrogance. Could it be that we have not become tired of seeing around us repetedly, time and time again, the consequences due to lack of forgiveness? Have we not seen complete towns exterminated by their own inhabitants due to family feuds which had never been forgiven, and that have been passed on from generation to generation as if it was a hereditary illness between parents and their children? Are we not seeing currently entire nations which have been converted into infernos of hatred and destruction due to the lack of forgiveness? It is sad to see that after so many centuries, humanity has not comprehended that at the end, the one who survived is not the arrogant, but rather the humble. In this world in which the meek and humble are categorized under subservience, stupidity or cowardness, history has not stopped yielding testimony that in its memory, the greatest, the most remembered and written about, the most followed, have been those which have left on earth an example of kindness, forgiveness, simplicity and humility. True strength lies in love, in understanding that those who recognize an error, are not humiliating themselves before the eyes of the world, but rather to the contrary, are being greater before the eyes of God. We should not see forgiveness as a. mystic act, as something that requires from us a super human effort, but as a natural act, because having our spirit sprouted from the eternal forgiveness which is the Divinity, to us forgiveness should be part of our nature. Peter asked the Divine Master during the second era: "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven?" And the Divine Master replied: "I do not say on to you up to seven, but even up to seventy times seven" ( Mathew 18:21; Luke 17:3-4). What did the Lord mean with His answer? Very simple, He wanted to say that for forgiveness there is no limit, that we have to forgive always and as many times as it is necessary. Each one of us has been forgiven by our Father as many times as we have required, throughout our long existence as spirits, regardless of the caliber of our faults, no matter how often the sin was committed. Our forgiveness has been infinite as is the love of our Father. And to think that there have been such terrible faults that should not reach or deserve the Divine fogiveness, is to believe in a limited and small god whose love is not sufficiently great or powerful to save he who has sinned, and this is impossible. The most palpable proof of the Divine love, the greatest of all, is the marvelous law of the reencarnation, the one which gives the spirit the opportunity to return as many times as necessary so that it can restitute and settle the outstanding bundles of faults that were accumulated during its existence, and as such move forward in the path of evolution and spiritual regeneration. It is important to make this last point very clear, because we do not doubt that there may be many who upon reading this page may think that if God really forgives everything, it does not matter what bad deeds we make, if we shall always be forgiven; Likewise, we also know that many believe that it is enough to repent at the last minute to reach Divine forgiveness and be absolved of all guilt. This is a big error; because same as the Divine forgiveness exists, Divine justice also exists, and the later one is inexorable. That is to say, that although it is a fact that we are infinetely forgiven, it does not free us from the responsibility that we have with our bretheren to restitute with love and goodness all the bad things that we may have caused them; moreover, the more errors that we commit, the harder that it will become to settle accounts, suffering will always increment, and restitution will be more painful. Our Father says: "...you must comprehend that My forgiveness does not liberate you from the consequences of your faults because the errors are yours, not Mine. My forgiveness stimulates you, it consoles you, because in the end you will come to Me, and I shall receive you with the usual love; but while you do not seek Me within the paths of goodness, love and peace, you already know and you should not forget: The evil that you do, or intend to do, you shall receive it back multiplied." Third Testament. Book of the True Life. Teaching 17:44 Well, we have spoken of those that because of the committed faults need to be forgiven; But, how about those that have been offended and need to grant forgiveness? Our Father, upon speaking to us about them has stated that He could divide them in three groups: The first is formed by those that having received an offense, not knowing how to contain themselves, and forgetting the Divine teachings, have become blindly angered and obtained vengence blow by blow; this group has allowed itself to be defeated by temptation and is a slave to its passions. The second group is formed by those that upon being offended, remembering the example of the Divine Master, shut their lips and contain their impulses to say: " Lord, They have offended me, but instead of seeking revenge, I have forgiven." But, in the bottom of their hearts, they hold a silent grudge, and the wish that God takes revenge upon their aggressors, discharging upon them all His justice; this group is in the midst of their struggle. The third group, the smallest, consists of those that imitating Jesus, upon being offended, elevate towards their Father, full of mercy for their brethren, to say: " Lord, forgive them, for they do not know what they do"; and even though they have been hurt, in their prayer they ask for mercy for their aggressors, because they know that in reality, they have hurt themselves, and only wish them well; this group, according to our Father, is triumphant in the test. To which group does each one of us belong to? Are we those that return offense for offense, blow for blow? ; Of those that without returning the offense, expect to be revenged, or are we those that by placing the other cheek ask our Father to enlighten those who have offended us? The reply to these questions is within ourselves, and the only way to know, is to face ourselves with the light of our conscience. What we know, at least those who have the priviledge of knowing this Divine teaching, is that forgiveness does not stem from forgetfulness, because if we would forget about the offenses of our brethren, what would we then have to forgive them about? In order to forgive and to ask for forgiveness, it is indispensable to put yourself in the other's place, because as long as we do not feel our brethren closely, we shall not ever understand the reasons of the offender or feel the pain of the offended. It is also necessary to fight against our own arrogance, because as long as we do not defeat it, we shall continue to first put our low passions that impede us from knowing truth , before true love which is the fountain of forgiveness. He, who after having been offended does not accept his brother's petition for forgiveness, is being as guilty and sinful as the one who offended him. The practice of forgiveness leaves in its way, undescribable fruits of sweetness; it reconciles us, it frees us, it resucitates and saves us. ____________________________________________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥« ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ REPENTMENT For forgiveness to exist, it is necessary for true repentment to exist, and not just simple remorse which takes us nowhere. What is the difference between one and the other? Let us see: Remorse is that feeling which makes us feel bad whenever we commit an error, and are at fault. But, after a while, when the feeling of guilt is gone, we forget and continue to make the same mistakes an infinity of times, accumulating one fault after another until the load becomes so heavy that we are unable to lift our spirit, and we inflict pain, punishing ourselves instead of asking for light. We go away from our Celestial Father believing to be unworthy of His divine forgiveness. It is when the spirit enters into a state known as prostration out of which it can only exit when true repentment exists; that is, when the firm purpose of not sinning again and the sincere wish to repair our faults prevails. Our Father has told us that the only thing that separates sinners from His side is a step; and that step is true repentment. But, how can one reach true repentment? As we previously mentioned, the only way is by making an examination under the light of the conscience. When the spirit becomes naked in front of that mirror, and presents itself just as it is, without excuses or pretext, the spiritu will understand crearly its faults and will kneel before that interior altar to wheep because of such faults, bad deeds or offenses; a longing is born within to forgive and be forgiven, and accepts with humulity its restitution. Our Father says: "I again say to you to carefully examine yourselves, as such you shall begin feeling a little more of a brother to others, more compassionate and comprehensive with your fellow men.Today you are still disgusted by many deeds of others because you forget your own stains and errors, you will comprehend the love with which I forgive and await for you, and then you will only have to say: If my Father has forgiven me after having offended Him so much, I am obligated to forgive my brothers". The Third Testament. Book of the True Life. Teaching 8:61. ____________________________________________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥« ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ EVERY DAY LIFE Talking about forgiveness and repentment, I would like to share with you one of those strange things that can happen in one´s life, which brings us face to face with the prodigies which can be accomplished when forgiveness sprouts from the bottom of our being. A little more than three years ago, a beloved brother of ours faced a test imposed by human inequity, which served as a lesson of love for all those who lived his experience closely. Late in the evening, our brother travelling in major highway, was surprised by a car which violently cut him off to the side of the road, forcing a dead stop. Stunned and not knowing what to expect, our brother was forced to get out of his car at gunpoint by three men who then proceeded to shout, insult, kick, and punch our brother. Thereafter, with hands tied behind his back, was forced to kneel on the floor, in front of the back seat of the car in which they were travelling. Two men got in the front seats, and the third continued to strike our brother with one hand while pointing a gun to his head with the other. While all this was happening, the other two questioned him regarding his cheking account, credit cards, cash, etc. Many of us have heard about these types of unfortunate acts of kidnapping and robbery. Amongst the confusion and the pain which he was feeling from the blows being received, he answered the questions while his stomach was turning, and his knees became numb because of the position in which he found himself. He was taken during the course of many hours to different places, without our brother being able to determine where he was; the men in the front got in and out of the car many times, while the third man continued administering pain to our brother at the slightest move or noise. Our brother started to pray silently, elevating his spirit and asking our Eternal Father for those beings, that in their confusion, did not realize the serious damage that they were bringing to themselves. Suddenly, our brother no longer felt any pain from the blows received, "It was as if he was no longer hitting me; as if my whole body became numb in order not to feel any pain", our brother told us. Then, one of the men in the front of the car shouted to the man watching our brother to shoot the gun, and to end his life since he was now considered useless to them. Our brother at that moment spoke out to his executioner to be and told him: "I forgive you". The man confused and very angry asked: "What the... did you say". Our brother, with the peace that our Father had conceeded him in such a difficult moment, repeated: "I forgive you, and it doesn´t matter what you do to me, I want you to know that I forgive you and do not hold any grudge against you". God only knows what happened in the inner being of that individual at that moment, but we are sure that the light of those words touched his heart. To our brother´s astonishment, not only did his executioner to be lower the weapon, but stopped his aggression and even commenced to defend our brother before the other two kidnappers. Meanwhile, our brother continued to pray, with spiritual comformity, that if our father had decided that it should be the last moment on earth for him, he would accept His will. In such case, our brother prayed for strength for his wife and children to support the test. Suddenly, the car stopped, the two men in the front got out, opened the back door and ordered our brother out of the car. With much difficulty, as you can probably imagine, our brother was able to move after being in a kneeling and foetal position for over six hours and subjected to countless blows. At that moment, he thought that the end had arrived; but, suddenly the voice of his executioner to be spoke: "Go, don´t turn around. Your car is parked down the road. Get in your car and wait ten minutes before starting the engine". Our brother followed the instructions carefully and found his way back to civilization. Today, our brother still has some of the scars which remained in his body as witnesses of a bitter experience; but, also conserves the certain and true fact that love and forgiveness, when they are genuine, can achieve wonderful prodigies; and he also conserves hope that the confused man who almost became his executioner, has been able to see the light which could help him change his life. ____________________________________________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥« ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Beloved: I ask you that we refflect together about those two marvelous virtues which are repentment and forgiveness; and I also invite you to enjoy the wonderful gift which these acts of love will leave in our lives when we put them to practice. Farewell until the next time, and I leave you with a thought which the spiritual world of light has given us in this epoch, through their message of love: "...it is forgiveness, the antidote which sweetens the bitterness of those which want to take away your peace and even your life". The Protectors. Teaching 11:24 Your Brother in the Lord The Little Worker http://144000.net/index.htm