Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 23 -
BISHOP MARTIN'S FIRST DEED OF CHARITY TOWARDS THE POOR NEW ARRIVALS.
1
(Bishop Martin): "I see a number of ragged people limping along very slowly. They seem to have no shelter. Most likely, they are also hungry and miserable.
2
Friend, I pity those wretched wanderers. Allow me to go to them and lead them to this place to give them shelter and look after them as best I can. Though these rooms are dirty, they will serve them better than those rough, frozen paths leading in the familiar direction where, as I know, conditions are getting worse."
3
(Say I): "That is all right! Go and do as your heart dictates. But don't be discouraged when you find the travelers to be Lutherans!"
4
(Bishop Martin): "I don't like the idea very much. But then, I don't seem to care really whether they are Lutheran , Mohammedan, Jewish, or Chinese! Every man who needs help, should have it!"
5
Bishop Martin, still in his peasant clothes, hurries after the travelers, shouting at them to wait for him. This they do, in order to hear what he wants of them. They have only just arrived in the spirit world from earth, and they do not know what to do.
6
Having reached the group, the bishop addresses it in a very friendly voice: "Dear friends, where to are you heading? For heaven's sake, tum back and follow me or you will all perish! The path that you are following leads dead straight to an abyss which will swallow you forever!
7
1, however, have been in this area, together with two dear friends, for quite a while, and thus am able to warn you.
8
Look towards the south, and you will see a palace there. Although its interior is by far not as good as it looks on the outside, it will provide shelter and a piece of bread, which in any case would be much preferable to continuing on your dangerous path. Therefore, don't hesitate, but return with me and, by God, you will not regret it!"
9
One of the wanderers speaks: "All right, we will follow you, but be sure not to take us to a Catholic house! There we wouldn't stay, for we find nothing as disgusting as Roman Catholicism, the Pope, his bishops, and the most evil monasticism of the Roman whore!"
10
(Bishop Martin): "Rubbish! Pope, bishop, monk, Luther, Calvin, Mohammed, Moses, Brahma, Zoroaster - all that counts only on the silly earth; here in the spirit world, all these earthly differences cease to exist. Here, there is only one thing that counts, and that is LOVE! This alone can help us to get ahead; everything else is only of minor importance.
11
On earth I was a Roman bishop, and very proud of it; but when I arrived here, I soon learned that it does not make any difference whatsoever what one had been on earth. All that counts here is what one has done.
12
Therefore, forget about Luther or Calvin, but follow me! You will not regret it! However, should you not like it here, you can still continue on this road."
13
(The leader of the party): "You seem to be quite a sensible man and, therefore, we shall follow you to your house. But one thing we must ask of you beforehand - that there will be no discussions about religion between us, for we detest anything that is called 'religion'!"
14
(Bishop Martin): "As you wish! Discuss whatever you want to! I hope that we shall get to know each other better and that you will never find anything about my person that might offend you. So let us go and establish ourselves in the house which is mine and also my friends ."
15
Bishop Martin leads the way, and the whole party of thirty follows him. He leads them straight into the palace where I and Peter are waiting and addresses Me joyfully:
16
(Bishop Martin): "Look, my dear friend and brother in the Lord, I brought them all safely here. Would you be good enough and show me where we could put them up. And then I must ask you for some bread, for they will no doubt be very hungry."
17
(Say I): "The door over there to the east leads to a large and well furnished room. There they will find everything they require. But you come back immediately, as an important task is waiting for us which cannot be delayed."
18
Bishop Martin does as instructed by Me, and the party is very pleased with the well-equipped room. Then the bishop returns and asks where the new task may be found.