Fresh Progression

There is a sameness in such work that makes one example serve for many.

While Franchezzo works to help others, he is gradually learning the lesson which has proven hardest for him to learn – to forgive his enemies and to return good for evil. It has been a hard struggle to overcome his desire for revenge or wish that some punishment should overcome the one who has so deeply wronged him and it is hard to desire now to benefit that person. Time and again while he is working on the earth plane, he goes and stands beside that one, unseen and unfelt, and each time he perceives that his enemy’s thoughts are as bitter as his own. There is no love lost between them. Standing there Franchezzo sees the events of their lives blended together in one picture, the dark shadows of their passionate hate dimming and blurring these pictures as storm clouds sweep over a summer sky. And in the clearer light of his spiritual knowledge, he sees his faults. From these visits, Franchezzo returns to his little cottage in the spirit overwhelmed with bitter regrets and anger towards the one whose life seems only to have been linked by sorrow and wrong to his own.

One day, while standing beside this individual, he becomes conscious of a new feeling, almost of pity, for this person is also oppressed in soul – also conscious of regret in thinking of their past – the first softening and melting of the hard wall of hatred between them. Franchezzo is given a chance to assist and benefit this person and Franchezzo is able to overcome his bitterness and to take advantage of this opportunity.

His enemy is not conscious of his presence nor of his interference for good but feels in a dim fashion that somehow the hatred between them is dead and that, as Franchezzo is dead, it were perhaps better to let their quarrels die also. Thus comes at last a mutual pardon which severs the links which have so long bound their earthly lives together. Franchezzo knows that when death severs the thread of that earthly life, their spirits will meet again so that each may ask pardon from the other. Not until then will all links be finally severed between them and each pass on to their appointed sphere. 

The effects on the soul of our mutual love and hate are great and lasting and they cling to us long after our earthly life is past.

Civil Rights March on Washington, D. C. – Close-up view of vocalists Joan Baez and Bob Dylan – U.S. Information Agency – Press and Publications Service