Spiritism For Kids

por Célia Xavier de Camargo

 

Christ’s Treasure

 

It is said that long ago Paul of Tarsus and his friend Barnabas were traveling to spread the Christian doctrine.

 

They carried the word of the Master, preaching his Gospel to uneducated and ignorant people who were in need of God. They traveled very simply, usually on foot, carrying the minimum necessary for their survival.

One day, they passed through a deserted area, full of cliffs and forests infested with bandits. They were headed to the city of Antioch in Pisidia, which was still far away. For the first time on that trip, they would be forced to sleep in the open, in the midst of nature.

They overcame precipices, crossed a mighty river and, on the other side, they found a cave in the rocks where they settled to rest their exhausted and aching bodies.

They had almost nothing to eat, but they were excited, overcoming obstacles with optimism and courage.

Solitude suggested beautiful thoughts to them.

In the evening and after a frugal meal, they began to gleefully comment on the excellence of the Gospel, extolling the greatness of the mission of Jesus Christ.

- If only men knew… - said Barnabas, making comparisons.

- All would gather around the Lord and rest! - Paul said with conviction.

- He is the prince who will reign over all…

- No one has brought greater wealth into this world.

- Ah! - commented Barnabas. - The treasure of which He was a messenger will better the earth forever.

And so they continued talking, when a singular movement stirred their attention. Two armed men rushed over both of them in the dim light of a resin lit torch.

- The bag! - cried one of the evildoers.

Barnabas became slightly pale but Paul was calm and impassive.

- Give us what you have or die! - exclaimed the other thug, raising his dagger.

Looking at his companion, Paul said:

- Give them the money we have left. God will supply our needs another way.

Barnabas emptied the purse he carried among the folds of his tunic, while the malefactors eagerly collected the small sum.

Noting the Gospel scrolls that the missionaries consulted in the light of the improvised torch, one of the thieves suspiciously and ironically questioned:

- What documents are these? They speak of an opulent prince ... We heard references to treasure ... What does that mean?

With admirable presence of mind, Paul explained:

- Yes, indeed, these scrolls are the pathway to the immense treasure that was brought to us the Christ Jesus, who will reign over the princes of the Earth.

One of the bandits, greatly interested, examined the scroll of the Gospel.

- Whoever finds this treasure - continued Paul, resolute - will never need anything else.

The thieves grabbed the Gospel carefully and, putting out the flickering torch, disappeared into the darkness of the night.

When they saw themselves alone again, Barnabas could not conceal his astonishment:

- What now? - he asked in a trembling voice.

- Our mission is still going well - said Paul, full of courage - We just had the excellent opportunity to transmit the Good News to thieves.

Surprised by such serenity, Barnabas considered, somewhat worried:

- But they took our last loaves of bread, as well as the cloaks we wore and the coins.

- There will always be some fruit on the road - Paul said decisively - and as for the clothes, let us not be too careful, for the leaves of the trees will not fail us.

- But how can we resume our task if we do not even have the notes of the Gospel?

Paul, however, unbuttoning his robe, removed something he kept close to his heart.

 - You're mistaken, Barnabas - he said with an optimistic smile - I have here the Gospel which I have received from my master Gamaliel, and which I have always treasured.

The missionary clutched the treasure of Christ in his hands, and joy took over his heart. These valiant men could dispense with all the comforts of the world, but the word of Jesus could not be lacking.

 

 

 

AUNT CELIA

 

 

(Adaptation of the work "Paul and Stephen", by the Spirit Emmanuel and psychographed by Francisco Cândido Xavier.)

 


Translation:
Johnny Silveira / silveirajohnny@yahoo.com
 

 

 

     
     

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 Revista Semanal de Divulgação Espírita