BD.6732
January 10, 1957

TRADITIONS - SACRAMENTAL BLESSINGS

It surely is not to your credit if you men allow your thoughts, will and actions to be determined solely by traditional views, if you do not form your own opinion whether and to what extent such views are justified and to what extent they must be rated only as the results of human thinking.

Men are expected to attain perfection on earth, and this is such a serious matter that everyone should earnestly concern himself with it. Then he will also have misgivings as to whether that which is demanded of him is also justified, and he will begin to question if those 'traditions' really originate in Me, whether they are based on pure truth or on a truth that has been 'spoilt' in the course of time. The serious will to attain perfection on earth is sure to produce such doubts, especially where 'spoilt doctrines' are concerned, for then I Myself would be putting such doubts into a man's heart in order to guide him to light out of his darkness.

It cannot be denied that the so-called 'traditions' contain a lot of 'spoilt' thinking; and from My doctrine which I Myself preached on earth so many rites and bad customs, as well as wrong doctrines, have been derived that the pure gospel of love, the essence of My doctrine, has been pushed to the background whilst what was added by man is claiming foremost attention. And men allow themselves to be captivated by it, make every effort to fulfill all demands and do not dare change any of the old traditions or customs which are of no benefit whatsoever for the advancement of their souls. However, they have no excuse because every human being can think and has the duty to ponder the doctrines that will determine his lot in eternity.

Man should take his life on earth more seriously and not think that I am satisfied by completely useless performances which include the receipt of sacraments that are no sacraments because only that can have a hallowing effect which a faith quickened by love may receive from Me directly when through love a union with Me has been achieved. Then a man is blessed by Me so abundantly that he can attain perfection on this earth.

Then all the sacramental blessings will become manifest in such a person. He will receive the baptism of the Spirit: he will be a teacher and messenger to his fellow-men; he will at any time be able to partake of the bread from heaven, of My flesh and My b1ood; he will be in close union with Me full of wisdom and love for he will no longer be burdened by any guilt which was forgiven him for the sake of Jesus Christ whom his loving heart has recognized and is now acknowledging before all the world.

He will be filled with My Spirit for he has become alive through his love and his faith. However, he cannot receive all these blessings by performing traditional duties.

It is good to guide the thoughts of a child toward the purpose of its mortal life and its task, but it should never be taught to perform 'dead rites'; in- stead, love should be preached to it at all times. The spiritual development of a person depends entirely on his attitude to this doctrine of love.

He can attain perfection only through a life of love and only this will yield him the sacramental blessings. Everyone must strive for his perfection of his own free will and should not be hindered by demands and commandments that are supposed to be My will. Since he has to attain life he must also be alive in his thinking, his will and actions. Every kind of formality, however, will destroy this life and a purely 'external' act cannot perform an 'internal change'. Everyone is himself responsible for his soul and he will have no excuse that he had been incorrectly in- formed, for every person who earnestly strives for perfection is given a chance to receive the pure truth from Me as long as he seeks Me add My Kingdom and always desires to do My will.

AMEN