Joseph Bre
Joseph Brê died in 1840 and was later evoked at Bordeaux in 1862 by his granddaughter. During his life on Earth, he had been considered an honest and respectable man by society's standards. In this communication, he explains the difference between being considered "upright" by human beings and being truly upright in the sight of God.
The medium’s hand begins writing...
MediumDear grandfather, will you tell me how you now find yourself in the spirit world?
MediumAnd can you share anything useful for our spiritual progress?
Joseph BrêMost willingly, my dear child.
Joseph BrêI am atoning for my lack of faith.
Joseph BrêBut God is merciful and takes circumstances into account.
Joseph BrêI suffer.
Joseph BrêNot in the way human beings usually understand suffering...
Joseph BrêBut through regret that I did not make better use of my time on Earth.
MediumHow can you say that?
MediumYou always lived as an honest and upright man.
Joseph BrêYes... by human judgment.
Joseph BrêBut there is a great difference between what human beings call uprightness and what God considers uprightness.
Joseph BrêI will try to explain this difference for your instruction.
Joseph BrêAmong human beings, a man is considered honest if he obeys the laws of his country.
Joseph BrêAlthough many obey those laws only when it is convenient.
Joseph BrêA man may avoid stealing another person's property...
Joseph BrêYet still steal another person's happiness, reputation, or peace.
Joseph BrêAnd if he does it cleverly enough to escape the law and public criticism, society still praises him as respectable.
Joseph BrêOnce flattering words and apparent virtues are engraved on a tombstone, people believe their debt to humanity has been paid.
Joseph BrêWhat a mistake.
Joseph BrêTo be upright in the sight of Heaven, it is not enough merely to avoid breaking human laws.
Joseph BrêAbove all, one must avoid violating the laws of God.
Joseph BrêThe person upright before God is one filled with devotion and charity.
Joseph BrêSuch a person spends life doing good and helping the progress of others.
Joseph BrêSuch a person works actively and sincerely in every duty of life.
Joseph BrêA person should faithfully fulfill the responsibilities connected to his earthly position.
Joseph BrêThrough personal example, one should encourage love of honest labor in others.
Joseph BrêOne must stay active in every good work.
Joseph BrêNever forgetting that one day God will ask how life on Earth was spent.
Joseph BrêThe truly upright person also teaches love for God and love for one's neighbor through personal example.
Joseph BrêWhoever wishes to be upright before God must carefully avoid cruel remarks and hidden attacks that destroy reputations and ruin lives.
Joseph BrêMany people dishonor others through ridicule and malicious suggestions while still appearing respectable on the outside.
Joseph BrêThe heart of the person upright before God must be free from pride, envy, and ambition.
Joseph BrêSuch a person must remain patient and gentle even toward those who attack him.
Joseph BrêHe must forgive sincerely, without effort or display, those who have wronged him.
Joseph BrêHe must love God within all His creatures.
Joseph BrêIn short, he must practice this complete and simple law:
Joseph Brê"Love God above all things, and love your neighbor as yourself."
Joseph BrêSuch, my dear granddaughter, is only an incomplete outline of what true uprightness before God really means.
Joseph BrêAnd now I ask you honestly...
Joseph BrêDid I fulfill all those conditions?
Joseph BrêNo.
Joseph BrêI was far from doing so.
Joseph BrêI confess this openly and without hesitation.
Joseph BrêI was not active enough in good works.
Joseph BrêI should have done much more.
Joseph BrêMy forgetfulness of God led me into many other failings.
Joseph BrêThose failings may not have been punishable by human law...
Joseph BrêBut they were still violations of God's law.
Joseph BrêI suffered greatly after realizing this truth.
Joseph BrêYet because of that realization, I can now hope.
Joseph BrêI possess the comforting hope born from faith in God's mercy.
Joseph BrêGod sees my repentance.
Joseph BrêTell these things to others, my dear child.
Joseph BrêRepeat them especially to those burdened by guilt in their conscience.
Joseph BrêLet them repair the past by doing as much good as they possibly can.
Joseph BrêThen God's compassion will accept their atonement...
Joseph BrêAnd erase the memory of their faults.