Chapter 5 - Under Treatment

Chapter V - Under Treatment

“Are you Clarence’s ward?”

The question was put to me by a young man with a singularly kind

expression. He smiled as he entered, carrying what looked like a large

medical bag. I nodded that I was, and he introduced himself:

“I am Lysias, your brother. My director, Assistant Doctor Henry de

Luna, has placed you under my care as long as you need treatment.”

“Are you a medical assistant?” I asked.

“I am a visiting attendant in Health Service. As such, I not only help

with the nursing but also go on rounds, alerting the doctors when help is

needed, and attending to the needs of newly arrived patients.”

Noting my interest, he went on:

“There are many such assistants here in the Astral City. Naturally, as

a newcomer, you are still unaware of the extent of our activities. Just to give

you an idea, there are over one thousand patients in this ward alone, and this

is one of the smallest buildings in our hospital.”

“This is truly wonderful!” I exclaimed.

Lysias, perceiving that I was about to continue repeating my praises,

rose quickly from his chair and carefully began his examination.

“Your intestinal zone shows serious lesions and unmistakable signs of

cancer, your liver is ruptured in several areas, and your kidneys evidence

signs of premature failure. Do you know what that means?”

“Yes, the doctor explained it to me yesterday. These disturbances are

all of my own doing….”

Noting my obvious embarrassment at this confession, he continued:

In the group of eighty patients under my care, fifty-seven are in thea sme condition as you. Did you know that other patients arrive mutilated? Those who have misused their sight arrive without eyes? Others who have used the gift of agility in crime come to us paralyzed or legless. Still others who have lived sexually depraved lives enter spirit life totally insane. 

The Astral City is not a settlement of triumphant spirits, in the common sense of the word. We are happy because we have constructive worko t do, and there is job in every corner of our Colony because the Lord blessed us with the opportunity to serve.

He paused briefly, and I exclaimed: “Please go on with your explanation, Lysias. I feel so peaceful and relieved. Isn’t this a heavenly abode for the spiritual elect?” Lysias smiled and answered: “Let’s keep in mind the old teaching ‘many are called but few are chosen’.”

Gazing at the distant horizon, flooded with memories from his own past, he continued: “Many religions on Earth summon us to the Celestial Feast. No one who has once felt the existence of God can deny that in good conscience. Yes, many are called but few answer the call. Most of mankind accepts a different invitation instead. We waste our opportunities, straying from our chosen path, allowing our whims to rule our lives and thoughtlessly destroying our bodies. The ultimate result is that thousands of us leave the world in a state of confusion countless multitudes of insane, diseased and ignorant spirits wander as you did in the spirit spheres close to the Earth.

Seeing my astonishment, he inquired: “Did you believe that physical death brings us to miraculous places? We must work hard and perform difficult services to achieve spiritual growth. If we have debts on the planet we must inevitably return to repay them, regardless of the progress we have made, breaking the chains of hatred and replacing them with the sacred bonds of love. It wouldn’t be fair to ask others to clear the field in which we ourselves have sown thorns. That is what is meant, my friend, by the saying ‘many are called but few are chosen’. The Lord forgets no one, yet so few of us remember Him.”

Confronted with the idea of individual responsibility, and remembering my own errors, I could not help but decry my perversity. But before I had time to vent my remorse my kind attendant lifted up his hand and spoke:

“Stop. Let us concentrate on the work to be done. Those who are sincerely repentant must learn to be silent and start anew.”

He carefully proceeded with a magnetic treatment, and then, while treating the area around my lower intestines, he continued his explanation:

“Have you noticed the specialized treatment of your cancerous zones? You see, all honest work in the field of medicine is based on loving care, but the actual healing is left to the patient. You will be treated with great care, and will fell as fit as you did as a youth on Earth. You will work hard, and I believe you will become one of the best assistants in The Astral City.

However, the case of your infirmities will stay with you until you have eliminated all traces of your indiscretions and misuse of your health which still remain in your spirit-body. Our earthly body, so often misused, is giveno to us as a blessed instrument through which we can cure our spirit, if wed edicate ourselves to the task.”

I meditate deeply on what I had just heard, thinking on the infinite mercy of God, and was moved to tears. Lysias calmly finished the day’s treatment and the spoke:

“Tears are purifying medicine when they aren’t caused by feelings of revolt. So cry, my friend, and ease your heart. Let us bless our physical body with its countless microscopic cells, so humble and precious, so detested yet so sublime for the service they render us. Without them, how many thousands of years we would spend wrapped up in the mists of ignorance.”

Thus speaking, Lysias laid a gentle hand on my head and took his leave.

From the book The Astral City "Nosso Lar" - Chapter V -Under Treatment