Letter to the Readers

To My Fellow Travelers:

True that we are of different stocks and persuasions, but they are only superficial delineations, for without exception, we are all fellow travelers in the road called Life that is herding us like a flock toward the same end, regardless of class or distinction. Whether the journey is short or long, common or remarkable, perplexing or goal-driven, we are bound together by the one overarching reality and that is, that we are living a temporal existence, as our mortal bodies are stamped with an expiry date, unbeknownst to anyone as to when the last gasp for air will come. Because of this universal bond, we are by nature brothers and sisters, sharing a finite world called planet Earth, the only one of its kind in the cosmos. Having stated our obvious connection with each other, as kindred beings in life and in death, I hasten to limit the scope of this exposition by two words-- “Jesus Said,” which simply means that this work is spiritual in nature. I do not like to mislead anyone; on the contrary I like to be as clear and frank from the start. Hopefully, this will not turn off some of my kinsfolk for honestly, I am not trying to convert anyone to my Faith. Rather, I am simply trying to illuminate the one mystery that we are all living, using the words of Jesus to unravel the puzzle of existence. Remember that Jesus is considered by a sizable number of religions as a prophet of significant importance. We will be doing ourselves a great disservice if we exclude him from the present task. Even Gandhi, an enlightened Hindu recognized the good inherent in his teachings. We can do no less, for we must peer through, not only his words but more importantly, the spirit behind the words. Jesus’ words disjointed from the spirit render the former lifeless, unable to move the hearts of men, reducing them to mere ideologies suited for fanatics who wage endless crusades against sinners and breakers of the law, summarily hurling them for condemnation before the court of public opinion, either from their churches’ pulpits or their offices as public officials, which eventually find a wider dissemination in the web. Let’s leave these demagogues behind with their biases and prejudices, so adept in whipping these into frenzy that instill fear on their followers.

Our 21st century world is primarily defined by the plurality of ideas, traversing through the web at lightning speed, forging adherences or combatants from diverse races and beliefs. Whether these ideas are founded on the truth is an altogether different matter, as a good segment of the populace reacts to them emotionally and with little appetite for a systemic and sustained search for their veracity. Tragically, truth, the bedrock of all discourse has become the casualty of today’s quest for the truth, as modern man has a penchant for quick and easy answers, preferably pain-free. The basic need of sound judgment demands the keeping of an open mind until the light of reason supported by indisputable facts has done its work. This is time consuming that the contemporary man has little allowance of, especially since his sense of time has been warped by the “quick--to-the-touch” technologies. This mindset goes directly against any serious attempt to uncover the truth, for the examination of any concept, viewpoint, or doctrine and the appraisal of its truth content are method-driven processes that must be allowed to fully run their courses before arriving at a conclusion. Whether the time required is short or long essentially depends on the scope and nature of the investigation, for there are aspects of truth that cannot be discerned in a brief space of time. For others who are not used to this method-driven search, they might suffer an unintended consequence-- a psychological or emotional dilemma, as they are unable to register an immediate response at the touch of a finger, with some experiencing extreme duress that led them to take their own lives. Yet despite this inadequacy in man’s contemporary psyche, he cannot escape the reality that he is in the marketplace of ideas, full to overflowing, transmitted 24/7 on the web and beckoning for an instantaneous response especially when it is aggressively or truculently asserted. Passivity is the route for the faint-hearted, as it goes directly against the newly acquired sense of militancy, which demands that rights be stringently protected at any cost. Thus, he is caught up in a cycle of which he has little control, affirming or denouncing any idea depending on his psychological or emotional state, with little time to fully investigate the issue at hand. This nonstop engagement in the online forum creates a pernicious case of dependency, of a heightened preoccupation to know what is being served in the web, either object or opinion, for one cannot afford to be seen as a fence sitter in the information highway. Vigilance is the prime virtue of the habitue of the web and there is no excuse for ignorance or tardiness. Lamentably, which is said in earnest, people become less attuned to the weightier matters like the truth about life, the fundamental meaning of existence or simply put, what it means to be alive. With regards to this central question, so essential to living a meaningful existence, there are two avenues that can be traversed-- a high road called the Absolute Truth, and a secondary path called the Objective Truth, which if unswervingly followed, leads back to the high road, as it is only a tributary of the former. Absolute Truth is independent of Objective Truth, as the latter is only the material expression of the former. It is supernatural and thus eternal that no one without exemption can deny or modify whether one believes it or not, for man’s reception either for or against it, is immaterial to its existence. In other words, the natural order does not put a limit to this perfect realm that existed long before it came into being. The apex of creation, which is man cannot sit in judgment of the eternal forces that gave him life. Precisely because of this, Absolute Truth can only be accepted in Faith, for it is non-matter based and therefore cannot be assayed by natural means. Questions dealing with life after death, the presence of an immortal soul, of heaven and hell, of angels and, of God cannot be answered by empirical studies, as these realities lie beyond the senses, which is but a flimsy veil that could be pierced by the unseen. A good example are the many documented cases of people experiencing realities after they have died and returned to life. It is noteworthy that these experiences are similar and thus suggesting that they are not mere hallucinations. Objective Truth, which is the imperfect manifestation of the Absolute Truth, is nature-based and as such, it can be uncovered by natural means. Needless to say, the result of such efforts cannot go against the Absolute Truth that brought it about; for truth to be truth, it cannot have discordance with itself; for conflict and dissension resulting in disunity are but the telling signs of the presence of falsehood. This statement should not infer a negative connotation on dissent for it is part of the mechanism by which humans arrive at the truth. This is because man’s knowledge is imperfect and needs to be probed in an atmosphere of openness, without coercion and where tolerance of dissent is the cardinal rule that guides the process to its rightful conclusion. This can be messy at times for the disentangling of facts from fiction can cause internal upheavals from the proponents who see their ideas or concepts as extensions of themselves, whether they are right or wrong. Open-mindedness from people of good will and whose true north is the Absolute Truth is the key that turns the tide towards the resolution of any quest for the Objective Truth. This is in jeopardy at the present state of discourse because issues have been polarized with antagonistic forces on either side, unyielding and vociferous. In this climate where trust and civility are discarded, mere casualties in the war of words, and replaced instead with animosity and the ever-present threat of violence, it is difficult, almost impossible to find a common ground where truth can be searched with diligence, integrity, and respect for the opposing factions on either side. Thus, in the end, truth itself becomes the unintended victim of such flawed enterprise. And yet and precisely because of this caustic level of engagement that perseverance in the search of truth must be applauded and financially supported like scientific studies and journalistic investigations. To those who have accepted this heroic profession—seekers of truth, a depth of gratitude is owed especially now where a strange phenomenon called “cancel culture” is the prevailing norm for a sizeable segment of society, which operates on the false notion that they are the judge and executor of what is right and wrong. Close-minded and intolerant of ideas, they demean and dismiss outright those who are on the other side, as they are perceived to be morally unfit or socially unacceptable. These self-righteous zealots, most probably with Bibles in hand, feed on the ignorance, fears and prejudices of their followers. They are at their best in giving sermons on numerous social media platforms where they expose and shame those they have labelled as “degenerate and misfits”. Sinister as it is, there is something far darker that underlies the current conversation about the truth and that is, that the truth is a commodity with a hefty price tag, which can be sold or bought, preferably to the highest bidder. Thus, it is not surprising when truth, either Absolute or Objective is bent and twisted according to the moods of the times, the temperament of the people and the expediencies of personal and/or political ambitions. With disastrous consequences, “manufactured truth” becomes the weapon of choice to dispatch the Truth, as well as the genuine seekers who have been villainized and constantly threatened with physical harm.

At this point and before going any further, a personal introduction is necessary. First of all, I am using a pen name. I am a newcomer to the web and as such, suspicious of its intrusive power on the lives of its users. I cannot take any chance, no matter how small, because I have seen its negative effects on its victims and there are many. I would like to retain my anonymity which I hope I will not compromise during the course of this endeavor, as I have planned to upload my work by section, except the first chapter because the three sections are closely interrelated. My lifestyle can be best described as semi-hermitical, for I have little engagement with the world around me, save for brief outings to secure the basic requirements of life and living, and they are few because I am an old person with a much-reduced bodily requirements and little encumbrances imposed by society. My spiritual journey that formed the foundation of this work began in 1982, in a most inconspicuous way, yet but right and proper for a modern man of the 20th century. It happened in the most natural way that gave me no hint that it was the beginning of the rest of my life. Not on a high mountain like Moses, or in a temple of worship like the priest Zechariah or in a private room while in prayer like the Blessed Mother. No, mine came in a movie house and the call was encrypted in a swashbuckling, suspense-thriller, blockbuster Hollywood movie--Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Talk about a modern version of an incredibly old story! My curiosity was so pricked by the story of the Ark of the Covenant, and there was only one way to find out what was real and what was fictional. I had no choice but to check out that one book that I had not read, let alone opened, hard bound and gold rimmed, on display atop my writing bureau, the Holy Bible (i.e. The New American Bible, 1970 edition). It came free with the encyclopedia I bought the previous year. Once I opened it, I was hooked. I read it repeatedly from cover to cover. I am still doing it up to now. What I received then was the supernatural grace of love for the Word of God. The Word was alive, speaking to me, drawing me to Him, the Absolute Truth. It was the start of my conversion and as always, shrouded in mystery, for I was outside the Catholic Church, with no access to anyone who might be able to interpret my experiences, nor was I drawn to search for one. I was on my own and I was fine with it. I had God and that was enough. This was the start of my love affair with God, for He entered my life in the most authentic way imaginable, as I was a contemporary man with modern sensibilities, and so in a hurry to secure the things that defined success. I was so enamored with the world, with no time fiddling with esoteric mumbo-jumbo. A prodigal son, in the truest sense! What I did not know was that God could stoop so low to one like me, for this was the start of my relationship with Him, which alone sustained me in my journey, enabling me to persevere despite the many trials and difficulties, the greatest being the vastness of the unquantifiable tomorrows that beckoned me to move forward, a day at a time, in my search of freedom. The next crucial step happened in a bookstore, after asking him “Where am I to go?” as I felt that He was inviting me to come along with Him. In the bargain bin section, I spotted a book so cheap that I said to myself "What could I possibly lose?" and so I bought it in a jiffy. I was such a sucker for bargains! As it turned out, it was no bargain after all. Because of that one book, I lost everything, including my practice. I even had to say goodbye to my family and friends. The book was Saint Therese of Lisieux by Fr. Baltazar, a Carmelite theologian. I was drawn to the one treasure she had, her life of silence and solitude, with one preoccupation—to seek God in prayer, the very God who had drawn me to him. A contemplative vocation was the answer to my prayer and like her, I had to leave everything behind, as hers was the way of perfection, as it should be mine too. Jesus’ words would then be my take-off point, "If you seek perfection, Jesus said, go sell your possessions, and give to the poor. You will then have treasures in heaven. Afterwards come back and follow me." [Matthew 19: 21] At this stage of the journey, I got the impression that things were clear in the best way possible, and yet, as I moved forward, the road became less and less discernable, as I met one obstacle after another, one failure on top of another. Looking back from where I am now, I can say without any measure of doubt that it was as it should be, as my journey was one of faith, and not what was logical by human standards. Surprisingly, I persevered in spite of the lack of knowledge that could have made sense of my journey, especially the humiliating reversal and there were many. All I did was to accept my daily cross without understanding why it had to happen this way. Only when I had finished this book, many decades later, did I get the answer, allowing me to connect the dots of my most unique spiritual journey that made sense of my trials and tribulation. Only now do I understand why God had to be my Superior, as my passage to spiritual growth and maturity could not be guided by men, for only God could know the real me, the bruised reed, the smoldering wick (Matthew 12: 20) that needed a tender loving care; as only He could bring me to the fulfillment of my reason for being, which is based on the duty that I was appointed to do, as this appointment is my birthright which no one could take away from me. In the same way, you, my fellow travelers, have your own reason for being which you need to bring to realization, as this is uniquely yours to fulfill, as you are preeminently qualified because of your inborn gifts and talents. Your task begins today as this is the invitation to all beginners. Your starting line is the most fundament question-- “Who am I?” Don’t be discouraged by trials and difficulties, for the answer that awaits you is worth more than your tears and sweat. Be open to the idea that the search could be long and arduous and that there is no quick answer. If you are averse to pain, there is nothing I can offer, as it is intrinsic to the journey. If it helps, just remember that you are never alone, as there are countless multitudes in league with you, seeking the one answer that could unravel the mystery of life. Above all, be BRAVE. Never bail out! Persevere!

If the work has to be summed up in one sentence, it is a treatise on the meaning of human life and its supernatural trajectory. The Self is the point of departure, with either heaven or hell as its end, and with Holy Scriptures as the sole basis for this exposition. There was nothing proposed or expounded that was not founded on the Word of God. This was the primary reason for the title, “Jesus Said,” for His word was the path to freedom, both in the temporal plane and the eternal order, as man is the miraculous hybrid of the natural and supernatural entities. He is the new order of being, created lower than the angels but higher than the other forms of life on planet earth. An added texture to the work was the use of science, sadly the new religion of the contemporary man, for the writer of this treatise had been trained in the field of natural sciences, and thus, reinforcing the idea that there is no conflict between science and theology and/or spirituality, for both have the same author, who is God. The idea of conflict between these two disciplines is untenable because it suggests that God is imperfect, for conflict suggests discrepancy, which is foreign to the concept of perfection. There is no contradiction in God who willed all things to existence, both invisible and visible realities, with the latter coming into existence in a scientific manner that is open to investigation, for nothing is a magic trick. Sin is the only contradiction in the whole of creation and its authorship is not God but the primal liar who is Satan. Thus, this work navigated between these two poles, light and darkness, life and death, separating the truth from the lies, especially important in today’s world because of the prevalence of fake news, both in secular and spiritual matters, swallowed hook, line, and sinker by a sizable number of the populace. For my part, I unwaveringly adhered to my commitment to the truth, as nothing in these pages was a product of the imagination. When in doubt as to the veracity of my account, I had to search diligently in my memory vault for the specific personage or instance that would support my statement. Even more reason to be grateful to God for the clarity of hindsight, for I did not keep a journal of my travels. What a blessing, for this gift is so essential to this work, spanning almost the whole of my lifetime. Nothing was taken for granted, as all things without exception must be founded on reality, for even a single grain of untruth could compromise the work. This gift of a long memory, complete with all the details, came at a great price, for the recollection of these instances and personages created a turmoil within, for it seems that I was there again in that particular event or set of circumstances, coming face to face once more with matters best consigned to amnesia. Unpleasant is the word, though I had no choice but to revisit the past, which most of the time came with its baggage of emotions, wounding me once again by mere remembrance. On a positive note, the act of writing was my way of saying goodbye to the past, finally I hope. Good riddance, foul memories! Trouble me no more! I wrote this two years ago when I was writing the foreword to the treatise that I had just finished. It is no longer true, as the emotional component of these “foul memories” no longer exists. I can still remember but the pain no longer touches me. I am beyond its grasp for pain had outlived its usefulness. It was needed when I was in the process of writing. That ended two years ago.

To the uninitiated in all things spiritual like me at the start of my journey more than forty years ago, I will encourage you to soldier on, as the quest for truth must delve into all realities, seen or unseen, for as I had said earlier, the Seen proceed from the Unseen. A good analogy is the presence of microscopic particles, invisible to the naked eye and yet believed as Objective Truth. I hasten to add that this analogy has limited value when dealing with spiritual matters, for no gadget can scrutinize them. But if the effort to understand is imbued with passion and honesty, I have no doubt that anyone can arrive at the truth, no matter what the starting point, for in truth the answer lies within each one of us, as we are the fusion of matter and spirit. Do not be put off by concepts difficult to comprehend, as the search for the truth pushes the mind to uncharted territories; and yet it has its own reward, not only in the end but at the many different stages of the journey. It will demand everything you have, all that you can give, as half-hearted seekers are contradictions onto themselves. Be receptive to what lies ahead, never anticipating what tomorrow brings but trusting the invisible force that gives you the strength to carry on as a pilgrim in the road of life. And best of all, keep in mind that fear is useless for it is nothing but the machination of the devil to discourage anyone from seeking the truth. Never give up as the prize that awaits at the end is infinitely greater than what your mind could ever imagine.

I have given you my email address in case of questions and/or clarifications. Prompt responses, I cannot promise, for my day is full, answering to both the needs of the body and the spirit. Lastly, please share this spiritual treatise with your families and friends, acquaintances and associates, including your priests, pastors and religious leaders.

Miguel D’Acostas

03 June 2024