We continue today the methodical study of “Heaven and Hell, or Divine Justice According to Spiritism” by Allan Kardec. The first edition was published in August 1, 1865. This work is part of the Kardecian Pentateuch. The answers to the questions suggested for discussion are at the end of the text below.
Questions for discussion
A. Are there Spirits who still live, in the spiritual world (erraticity), with the same illusions of life on Earth?
B. Why does not Spiritism make its most devoted followers perfect, right away?
C. All human suffering has a cause?
D. Do the Spirits stay for many centuries in the spiritual world (erraticity)?
Reading Text
243. The Xumene case surprises by the aggressiveness of the Spirit addressing the person who evoked him. When she recommends the Spirit to withdraw from his evil tendencies, Xumene tells her: "Do not bother with what is none of your business; begin by praying for me, how you do with the others, and then we'll see." The person, who evoked him, remarked, "If you do not help me with your repentance, prayer may have little value." Xumene replied, "Speaking, instead of praying, will even be less helpful." (2nd Part, Chapter VII, Xumene.)
244. When the prayer was said, Xumene did not consider it as useful as expected. The Guide of the medium comforted her recommending courage and perseverance. Xumene's case would be difficult, but in the end, it would be successful. "There is no blame that cannot be regenerated through persuasion and example - said the Spiritual teacher - and Spirits, however perverse, eventually correct themselves with time." (2nd Part, Chapter VII, Xumene).
245. Ending the message, the Mentor explained: "Even unwillingly, the ideas suggested to these Spirits make us think. They are like seeds that, eventually, give fruit. One does not break a stone with the first hammer blow. This can also apply to the embodied and you must understand why Spiritism does not immediately make perfect even the most faithful followers. Belief is the first step, and then comes faith and transformation in turn; but in addition, inner strength is what makes many recuperate in the spiritual world." (2nd Part, Chapter VII, Xumene.)
246. Juliana Mary, poor woman who lived on public charity, evoked in June 1864, clarified why she had faced poverty in her last life on earth. She said it was the way to punish her for her vain pride when she repelled the poor, the miserable. "So - added Juliana - I lived through the pain of retaliation causing me to be the most hideous beggar of this country; but still, as if to make sure of the goodness of God, I was not rebuffed by all, and that was my fear." (2nd Part, Chapter VIII, Juliana Maria).
247. In a previous message, Juliana said of the importance of faith when treating patients. "It takes faith above all - the former beggar said - because otherwise nothing will be achieved" And she warned: "When you ask for God's consent for the good Spirits to pass good fluids, if you do not feel an involuntary shudder, it is because your prayer was not mighty enough to be heard." (2nd Part, Chapter VIII, Juliana Mary).
248. Speaking about her disembodiment, Juliana said, "I did not suffer when I disembodied, and am happy to have completed my mission without hesitation, and with resignation. I became useful to the extent of my strength, while avoiding harming my peers. Today I receive my award and I thank God, our Divine Master, which mitigates the bitterness of the trials, making us forget, when incarnated, the faults of the past, while He puts us in the path of the charitable souls, who also attenuate the weight of our burden, of our past sins." (2nd Part, Chapter VIII, Juliana Mary).
249. Commenting on the case of Juliana Mary, Kardec states, "Here is a fact full of teachings. The one, who meditates on these three communications, shall find in them all the fundamentals of Spiritism. On the first communication, the Spirit manifests its superiority through his language; and as a beneficent genius, and metamorphosed, this radiant woman comes to protect those that despised her under the rags of poverty. It is the application of these evangelical maxims: The great shall be lowered while the small shall be exalted. Happy are the humble, those who grieve, for they shall be comforted. Do not despise the humble, because the one who seems to you little in this world, may be much greater than you think."(2nd Part, Chapter VIII, Juliana Mary, Kardec's note).
250. Max, the beggar, one hundred and fifty years before, had been a rich and powerful lord in the regions of Bavaria. He walked, during his sleep, in the castle where he reigned despotically, reviewing all the splendor of his former fortune. Upon awakening, he felt bitter and sad - after all, since his 40 years of age, he became paralyzed and had no one to talk to but never did a complaint escape his lips, and when he died, almost with a hundred years of age, he had overcome this painful trial of mendicancy. (2nd Part, Chapter VIII, Max, the beggar).
Answers to the proposed questions
A. Are there Spirits who still live, in the spiritual world (erraticity), with the same illusions of life on Earth?
Yes, as occurred with the former Queen of Oude, there are Spirits who retain all earthly prejudices in the fullness of their strength, and in which pride loses nothing of its illusions. (Heaven and Hell - Second Part, Chapter VII, Queen of Oude.)
B. Why does not Spiritism make its most devoted followers perfect, right away?
You do not break a stone with the first blow of a hammer. This thinking applies to the Spirits, whether or not disembodied. The explanation is not difficult to understand. Perfection is the result of a process in which the belief is the first step. Then faith and, ultimately, transformation follow. It happens that, in many cases, it is necessary that the person will strengthen itself in the spiritual world, and assume, in fact, the commitment that will lead to the ultimate goal.(Heaven and Hell - Second Part, Chapter VII, Xumene, message of the medium's guide).
C. All human suffering has a cause?
Yes, all suffering has a just cause, because divine justice never fails. (Heaven and Hell - Second Part, Chapter VIII, Marcelo.)
D. Do the Spirits stay for many centuries in the spiritual world (erraticity)?
Yes, they can stay for a long time in the spiritual world (erraticity), as occurred with Szymel Slizgol, who remained in that state for three and a half centuries. (Heaven and Hell - Second Part, Chapter VIII, Szymel Slizgol, first question.)
