Source: https://www.bertha-dudde.org/en/proclamation/0471

0471 Recognizing oneself.... love....

June 18, 1938: Book 10

In this life, as in the afterlife, the only thing of lasting value is that the soul recognizes itself; only then will it be able to take the path upwards. Progress without this realization is completely impossible, for in spiritual darkness every action, whether here or in the beyond, will only have a material effect.... i.e. it will always be based on material interests, and such interests can never promote the salvation of the soul. It is therefore of little value if a person only commits good deeds on earth for the same reason. Such deeds are not recognized by God, because their power is low.... What is not done out of love is also not pleasing to God.... It is only tribute to the world.... With active spirit, man will have to recognize that the earth with everything that exists on it is always only the means to an end.... That therefore the goods of the earth itself should never be desired, but only everything in the world should serve to be recognized as earthly, shunned or used to be able to perform deeds of love through such.... The lord gives you so many means which can lead you to the eternal goal.... But you use them for yourselves, you delight in them and lust after them.... and so these means become works of the devil for you, through which he tries to draw you into his snares.... But if you recognize the worthlessness of all earthly things and recognize yourselves, then you will be victorious over such temptations. Giving up everything you possess in order to help your neighbour is the greatest blessing. If a person's spiritual realization has matured to such an extent that he can now start working on his soul, then he will also pursue his endeavour with great zeal, and the thought will always be his guiding star that he will come close to the saviour through his endeavour, that everything he voluntarily gives on earth will one day be rewarded by the saviour's closeness. The more unconscious the urge towards the saviour is, the more it fills the heart out of deep love, the sooner this longing of the heart will be fulfilled and the more His nearness will make the earthly child happy, for everything, everything is rooted in love.... whoever has this is already blessed here on earth and will one day be blissfully happy in the lord's nearnes.... where everything is pure love. Only when love completely fills your heart will all your thoughts and actions on earth be such that they correspond to the meaning of the eternal deity.... Therefore cultivate love, and a measure will be given to you in eternity that you are blissfully happy in the nearness of the lord....

Amen

Translated by Doris Boekers