Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 152 -
HUMILIATING EFFECT ON THE OTHER WOMEN OF THE THREE SUN-MAIDENS' PHYSICAL BEAUTY. MARTIN'S STERN WORDS, AND THE LORD'S ADVICE TO THE ANNOYED WOMEN.
1
(In answer to My words, the three immediately take off their clothes and say): "Most Sublime One, if so, these garments should not cover our bodies, for they hide the truth and help to cover our hearts and our love, which is not right."
2
(As they are standing there almost naked, with only loincloths, their beauty once more fully apparent, all the other women present fall to the ground, crying): "Woe betide us ugliest of beings!"
3
(Martin is extremely annoyed at the behavior of the women, and says in a loud, stern voice): "There we are again! There they are, lying on the ground like exhausted frogs! This way heaven, except for the magic and splendor of things, is no better than the earth with its mortal beings. There, perishability causes men to worry about their lives and makes them quite stupid. As a result, they distance themselves so much from true life that in the end they no longer know what life means and whether they are still alive! Least of all, they know whether they will live on, conscious of themselves, after their physical death.
4
Here in heaven, these worries about perishability have ceased to exist, but a thousand other miseries have taken their place, which seem to surpass the first-mentioned by far.
5
To think of all the anxiety these female beings have already caused me! As soon as you think: 'The Lord be praised, now everything is going to be all right!' - some fresh trouble strikes you like a flash of lightning!
6
Oh, you conceited ninnies, you scum of mankind, do you really believe the Lord created you for vanity or as an embellishment for heaven? Do you think you have the right to become almost unbearable burdens to us male beings through your great stupidity? Get to your feet and make sure you behave with more wisdom in the future, or we shall leave you to your own devices; then you may live entirely in your great folly.
7
Because these sun-maidens are so much wiser and more beautiful than they, to vent their secret rancor these ninnies fall to the ground like stuffed paillasses and scream, hurt by their unbearable vanity, 'Woe betide us ugliest beings!' You fools! Do you expect that out of your stupidity you might become more beautiful than these daughters of wisdom, which is of such a high standard that even we male spirits have to admire it? I assure you, it will take a very long time for you to attain that!
8
If your foolishness keeps progressing at the same rate as it has until now, you will most likely become even uglier than that guest whom I dragged on chains to my house together with brother Borem. So, if you do want to stay with us, stand up immediately!"
9
Upon these words from Martin, all the women get to their feet and turn to Me with the request that I rebuke him for hurting their feelings.
10
(Say I): "You have mouths and tongues yourselves, so why not tell him directly what you do not like? Martin has not wronged Me, and it was quite right of him to rouse you with a dressing-down."
11
(Say the women): "So You, too, our Lord, our everything, are against us! Where, then, can we find grace?"
12
(Say I): "That you can find in true humility, obedience, and in the right love for Me. Therefore, follow Martin's advice and all will be well. Make friends with these three and love them, then their beauty will no longer disturb you."
13
After these words, the women begin to relax immediately. Some are already able to bear the sun-maidens' beauty and approach them without much hesitation.