Lesson 6 -- Solutions

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Set A: (2 points per item)

1. Mistakes cannot be avoided but they can be minimized. TRUE. Being imperfect, we will all continue to commit mistakes. However, as we apply what we learn from our experiences, our mistakes can be greatly lessened.
   
   
2. We will always have the opportunities to further develop ourselves. TRUE. But see Sol 6.C.1.
   
   
3. Failure is actually a stepping stone to eventual success. TRUE. What we learn from our every failure will help us to succeed later on.
   
   
4. He whom God loves, He chastens. TRUE. He chastens and teaches us in order that we may become more like Him.
   
   
5. One earth life is only a tiny fragment of eternal life. TRUE. Self-explanatory. Actually, there are many such fragments, many earth lives.
   
   
6. In the world, injustice is more the rule rather than the exception. TRUE. If the result of only one earth life is considered, the answer is true. However, with the application of the Doctrine of Reincarnation and the Law of Karma (sowing and reaping), absolute justice is assured after a sufficient number of earthly lives.
   
   
7. God considers the needs of the soul more than the needs of the body. TRUE. See Sol 6.C.2.3.
   
   
8. God is fully in control of every situation. TRUE. See Par 6:09.
   
   
9. God doesn’t know what we need; we need to keep on telling Him, everytime. FALSE. See Par 6:08.11.
   
   
10. While we are still constrained by the flesh body, we really are unable to do all that we should do. TRUE. See Par 6:18.19.
    
    
11. Each success is only a prelude to even greater success. TRUE. On the road to perfection, there is infinite progress and many successes await. We will attain to more and greater successes.
    
    
12. God doesn’t hear so well; we should repeat the same prayers over and over again. FALSE. See Par 6:08.11. God already knows what we need without our having to tell Him.
    
    
13. Every new day always brings new opportunities for spiritual progress. TRUE. See Par 6:24.28.
    
    
14. Tribulations are actually valuable opportunities for spiritual growth. TRUE. See Par 6:11.
    
    
15. The spiritual way is not a practical way of life. FALSE. Review the whole lesson.
    
    
16. Righteousness is love in action. TRUE. This is how righteousness is defined in the ‘Desiderata’ found in St. Paul’s Church.
    
    
17. Those who have more in life are fortunate; they can advance faster, spiritually. FALSE. In essence, we should regard all seemingly adverse circumstances and situations as aids to learning the lessons that we spirit beings need to learn. In effect, the less we have and the more we suffer, the more we are able to learn the difficult lessons of life. See also Sol 6.C.2.3,5,8.9.
    
    
18. We are responsible only for our efforts; the results are all up to God. TRUE. In the world, our performance is evaluated based on the results we are able to achieve. It is a little different where the things of heaven are concerned. Instead, God looks mainly at our motives and the efforts that we exert, and not so much at results because there are so many other factors influencing the outcome that are beyond our control and for which, we cannot be held responsible.
    
    
19. We should never hurry unduly but we should proceed through life at our own pace. TRUE. We have all of eternity to do our thing. What is more important is that we are thorough and effective in learning our lessons.
    
    
20. All that happens is according to God’s divine plan. TRUE. See Par 6:09.12.

Set B: (2 points per item)

1. "For only a penny, you can buy two sparrows; yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing it. And even the hair on your head are all numbered. So don’t worry. You are far more valuable to Him than many sparrows" (MT 10).
   
   
2. "You will always have the poor with you" (JN 12).
   
   
3. "As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (MT 7).
   
   
4. "So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow’s needs shall be met even as tomorrow comes. Life is difficult enough as it is without our having to complicate it further. Therefore, it is sufficient that we resolve our problems as they arise and live one day at a time" (MT 6).
   
   
5. First, man must strive to free himself from sin and advance towards righteousness before he can begin to understand God’s divine ways (Text).
   
   
6. "Don’t be anxious about life. Don’t worry about food, drink or clothes. After all, isn’t life worth more than mere food? And isn’t the body more important than clothes?" (MT 6).
   
   
7. "When you hear of wars beginning, don’t be so disturbed because they must come" (MT 24).
   
   
8. "Give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God" (LK 20).
   
   
9. The man of the world considers only the things of this world, those that he can see and touch (Text).
   
   
10. In the course of our development, we must pass through every stage of learning. We cannot turn spiritual without fully comprehending the principles governing material existence. First, we must learn all the lessons of this world (Text).
    
    
11. "You would have no power at all over me unless it is given to you from above" (JN 19).
    
    
12. "Father," he prayed, "my Father! All things are possible to You. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Even so, not what I want but what You want" (MK 14).
    
    
13. "Be vigilant and pray that you do not succumb to temptation. The spirit may indeed be willing, but the flesh is weak" (MT 26).
    
    
14. Experience is the best teacher. We should see these trials and tribulations, not as the world sees them, but as they really are. In fact, these experiences are the special opportunities given to each of us in order that we may advance in our development (Text).
    
    
15. A thousand years is as one day to the Lord (Text).

Set C: (3 points per item)

1. Opportunities for progress are always readily available. DISAGREE. Such opportunities as those that are available on earth are terminated at death because without our physical vehicle of flesh, we can no longer manifest or otherwise continue to study in this world of matter. Likewise, the exact-same circumstance or situation will not repeat itself. Further, since a thousand earth years is just as one day in spirit time, it could take a long, long time before a similar opportunity to move ahead becomes available. Hence, it would be wise for us to avail of every opportunity that comes our way.
   
   
2. God provides for all our physical needs. DISAGREE. God provides for every spiritual need. The physical needs are only of minor importance and are provided for only if such provisionings are in consonance with the primary spiritual needs. Most often, however, the needs of the body are in conflict with the needs of the spirit self. And when this is the case, then such physical needs will be ignored and not be provided for.
   
   
3. The physical body and the soul being inseparable, what happens to one happens also to the other. DISAGREE. In the first place, the body and the soul are really distinct and separate from each other. And as to the effect of certain stimuli on these two, trials and tribulations tax the body but strengthen the eternal spirit-soul. Poverty and want deprive the body of all those things that it desires; but as a consequence, the spirit within learns and develops the all-important spiritual qualities or virtues. And finally, death terminates the existence of the body but releases the hitherto imprisoned spirit being which is automatically reborn into the greater world.
   
   
4. Perfection can be attained in one lifetime. DISAGREE. Obviously not, because there is far too much to be learned and developed than is possible within a short span of earthly existence. Development will have to continue even after the end of our present lifetime. We will need to live again and again until we are able to completely learn all the lessons of this earth. This is the concept of Reincarnation or repeated lives.
   
   Many esoteric sources including some old Catholic writings that trace the evolution of the Catechism attest that Reincarnation, along with Karma, was taught by Jesus.
   
   However, in subsequent councils called to settle doctrinal questions, the early Church Fathers, for reasons of their own, voted to disauthorize this important teaching. All references to Reincarnation were then expunged from the sacred books and this doctrine was henceforth suppressed and regarded as heretic.
   
   Nevertheless, many veiled allusions to the Doctrine of Reincarnation have survived the rewriting of the Scriptures. In the Gospels, they can be seen in the references to Elijah returning as John the Baptist (JN 1:19.28, MT 11:7.15, MT 17:10.13), to Jesus before he came to be born as Jesus (MT 16:13.14) and to Jesus coming again. Jesus, himself, said, "You must be born again." There is also the reference to a sin committed in a past life (JN 9:01.02) as the reason why a man came to be born blind. Many other passages do not make practical sense if Reincarnation is not taken in its context (JN 4:24 - God is a Spirit, JN 10:34 - You are gods, MT 5:48 - You must be perfect).
   
   
5. If we follow after the Lord, He will not allow us to suffer. DISAGREE. Quite the contrary, those whom God loves, He chastens, but always, for their own good. Certain difficult lessons are best learned through the experiencing of pain and suffering. It is also true that the more we suffer, the more we learn. But how wonderful it will be for us after we have completed our earthly education.
   
   
6. The shortest way to God is to pass up earthly preoccupations and concentrate on the more spiritual side of life. DISAGREE. Earthly subjects are prerequisites to the study of spiritual subjects. We must learn all the lessons of this world. If we pass up a certain activity or learning opportunity, we won’t know what it is about and we won’t be enabled to comprehend more advanced studies. So instead, we need to learn and master earthly conditions and situations before we may leave them behind us. Then, sufficiently evolved and freed from material influences, we can more effectively take on the more spiritual aspects of our being.
   
   
7. Doing nothing is doing something. AGREE. In many instances, we may find ourselves unable to decide on a clear course of action. And experience will tell us that because we acted in haste, many times, we did more harm than good simply because we reacted to a particular situation when we shouldn’t have. Whenever in doubt then, provided there is time enough before a reaction is deemed necessary, we should let the dust settle, so to speak. Let us think on the problem. A little forethought always provides important clarifications that make for more effective action. In any case, continuous practice brings proficiency. And only after we are clear on the matter will we really be able to decide correctly whether to react and do something or to leave things as they are and do nothing at all.
   
   
8. If we pray hard enough for peace, believing, we will never have war. DISAGREE. War must be because of its educational value. However, the unenlightened are enjoined to devote time to prayer, just so that, for at least a few moments of their day, they are able to think of God, instead of devoting the whole of their time to unimportant worldly preoccupations. But those of us who are students on the Path of Truth are called to do acts of righteousness despite all adverse conditions and regardless of results.
   
   
9. Many have been healed because of their faith. DISAGREE. Faith really has nothing to do with our being healed or not, but is a convenient excuse or explanation for those who are not as yet expected to be able to understand the higher teachings. An ailment is in itself only a learning experience. Therefore, a person is healed soon after the lesson necessitating such a diseased condition has already been learned. And so now, on to other lessons and other circumstances, conditions and situations.
   
   
10. We should always depend on God’s providence. DISAGREE. In every instance, we should strive to be self-reliant and learn to fend for ourselves. We should do everything that we can do. We must do our part. God helps only those who help themselves. However, if we don’t have the means or the capacity or if for some valid reason, we are unable to do something for ourselves, then God will do for us whatever else still needs to be done.