Always Be of Assistance

"Then Paul answered: Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?" (Acts, 21:13)

It constitutes one of the most dramatic passages in the Acts of the Apostles the one in which Paul of Tarsus is preparing to confront the testimonies that awaited him in Jerusalem.

In the heroic soul of the fighter, not a shadow of hesitation exists. His spirit, as usual, is ready. But his companions are crying and lamenting, and from the sensitive valiant heart of the warrior of the Gospel flows his painful question.

In spite of the serene energy, that controlled his vigorous organization, Paul felt the lack of courageous friends like himself.

The companions that were following him were sincerely ready for the sacrifice; however, they did not know how to manifest the sentiments of a faithful soul. It is because the crying and lamenting have never helped in difficult moments. Whomsoever cries, around a friend in a precarious position, disorganizes such friend's resistance.

Jesus shed tears in the Garden of Olives when He was alone, but in Jerusalem, under the weight of the cross, He begged the kind ladies to help Him by eliminating their painful tears. On the dawn of the Resurrection, He asks Magdalene to clarify the motive for her tears at the gravesite.

This lesson is of great significance for all students.

If a beloved soul is caught in a tempest for a long time, do not fall into useless desperation. The complaints do not resolve problems. Instead of tears and laments, get close to him and extend your arms.

XAVIER, Francisco Cândido. Our Daily Bread. By the Spirit Emmanuel. Spititist Alliance for Books, 2003. Chapter 119.