With Francis story we now enter a longer chapter where he writes of his more recent explorations of spiritual meaning. In this first section of Chapter 10 he writes of the release from fear...

Fear is of My Making

This world where I see myself is not for me my dwelling place but like a journey, more a process of awakening. Jesus' reported words and my experience of Holy Spirit guidance taught me that. The journey is for me to discover in me and in all I perceive around me the Imprint of Christ and recover the Memory of God. The Presence of these two, though seemingly veiled from sight, make of the place I stand holy ground because of the innocence and peace they see in me and in all I perceive. When sight gives way to vision for me, their Presence shines away all illusions. Thus is the purpose of time in this world fulfilled.

Jesus' words of oneness are spoken of my self and my companions in this world. They are also spoken of his and our common relationship with God. They urge me to see beyond the perceived shattered relationships that appear, fully or thinly veiled, within the being I call my self and amongst my companions.

As I look on you, brother-sister of mine, through the eyes of faith in the reality of God that sees no illusion, I see only innocence. This is born of my complete forgiveness of the effects of my illusion, and of my seeing any in you. When my eyes are confronted with the horrors and terror that history and the modern world frequently present, the Holy Spirit, my Guide, who brought me to this point, remains with me. Then I see illusions without fear. I am no longer bound to the old, old thought of separation: that I am isolated from God, isolated from my fellows and even split within my self. I accept the Atonement that came immediately from God at the very instant of my thought of separation. Atonement taught me that illusions of my mind are to be put aside. Illusions discounted and because I have you, my brother-sister, seen with the innocence of creation, beside me, I look on terror without fear. My wish for you and me, whom the Holy Spirit has brought together, is for us to join in a holy instant, the now, the touch of eternity, where you will accept the innocence you need and offer it to me.

My journey here had been confused, but now, seeing its purpose, I have a function. Now my only choice is whether to look upon it now or wander on but to return and make the choice again.

I cannot reach love with fear beside me...

For me to look on the insanity and raving madness of the world without fear but with pity and compassion, I need sanity to refrain from joining in. I found myself compelled to join in until now I look upon you, my fellow, with perfect faith in reality, in love and tenderness. Only complete forgiveness drives out fear. I cannot reach love with fear beside me. I share either in the madness revealed in worldly antics or in heaven's peace and joy. You and I raise our eyes in faith together or not at all. I either hold sin against you or accept the salvation offered; enmity or friendship.

I see you as my friend, the Christ who stands beside me, given to me in this instant. I see the beauty that shines right now from your innocence. I thought you had sinned because I had cast the veil of sin upon you to hide your loveliness. You offered forgiveness to me to share your holiness. You are the one, crucified by sin and waiting for release from pain. I would offer you forgiveness when only you can offer it to me. For my redemption you would give me mine. I forgive the sins you think you have committed and all the guilt I think I see in you for you have given me salvation:

This instant of sharing innocence is the holy place of my resurrection after seeming crucifixion, to which I come again and to which I will return until redemption is accomplished and received. As I meet you, in place of condemning you I remember who you are. I offer thanks to God that you are holy and have been given the gift of holiness for me. I join you in gladness and remove all trace of guilt from a disturbed and tortured mind. I lift the heavy burden of sin I had lain upon you and you accepted as my own. I toss it lightly and with hearty laughter away from you.

I give faith in my reality, for faith, hope and mercy are mine to give. I see in you the gift of God I would receive. Let us give redemption to one another and share in it that we may arise as one in resurrection, not separate in death. I see the Face of Christ in you.

The Holy Spirit leads you and me to this holy instant that we may receive the gift of freedom to make the same decision together. I free you as Jesus, my elder brother, freed me. I give you the selfsame gift and see you guiltless as Jesus sees me. In this way we prepare the way to the resurrection of the only Child of the Creator and rise again awake to the remembrance of the Creator God. Together we will disappear into the Presence beyond the veil we have placed by our unforgiveness. Here we find the Peace of God given eternally. Heaven is the gift I owe you, the debt of gratitude I offer to the only Child of the Creator. Here the Child of the Creator rests free of the crucifixion of guilt I placed on you. The Holy Spirit has given me this purpose on my journey and what I have faith in is still faithful. You and I walk together in this instant seeing nothing but the innocence of the holy Child of the Creator. 2003

Others

Oh! How much time I try to mould
The search for love outside my soul.
So sad I come, as I do try
To touch and take and often buy
What seems so good to me — but cry!

I know that God forever loves me.
What! Free from sin and guilt? Pain free?
Full joy and peace is my foundation,
As joined in love with God and creation
I give only love in deep solicitation.

It's when I pour out love to those,
Who need my care and maybe clothes,
Or faced with fear or locked away
That I do see my love today
Diminished not but grows, I say.

By sharing love I receive it, I recall;
One with God and one with all,
I extend myself beyond the ways
Of when I wandered in a maze
Confusing self with the God I crave.

Those little boys and girls so dear,
Jesus says to keep them near.
As, one with them, he felt so safe;
To laugh or cry - no loss of face;
Enrichment clear for both their sakes.

That love, I know, does surely grow
As do I freely intend to sow
Such love beyond me to others.
Renewed my love is, when I smother
A stranger with love, than me to mother.

Do I forgive as Jesus Forgave
Who released all attack, his kin to save
Forgot all memory of what seemed wrong
In one whose attack was a discordant song,
A plea for love or search to belong?

"My cup brims over", so says the psalm.
Abundance will not be stayed or harmed.
For God supplies me with all I need.
The love I give and take and heed
It makes God's goodness to proceed. 1992

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Francis Brown

[Index of Commentaries by Francis Brown]