The above statement is implicit in the ideas that make up the interview given to us by our confrere Martinho de Mendonça Filho (photo), a native of Pocos de Caldas (MG), where he lives. From a Spiritist family since his paternal grandparents, he is a civil engineer, with an MBA from FGV in Strategic Management of Companies, and economist by profession. Linked to the Spiritist Group of the Samaritans, in the same city, he is responsible for public meetings on Sunday, at the same institution.

From what perspective can we see primitive Christianity in the light of Spiritist knowledge?

In the light of the basic works of Allan Kardec, we can understand how the origin of Christianity was at the time Jesus was here, as well as the first incursions of the disciples and apostles in the dissemination and practice of the good news, the protection of the needy, the preaching and, after the ascension of the Master, the creation of the “Casa de Caminho” in Judea. This includes all those who did not have direct contact with the Master, like Paul, Luke, and all who humbly "converted" to the new doctrine.

In what way can we bring it to the reality of our day?

In its simplest form, that is, in the practice of unrestricted charity under the cloak of humility. Comparatively, today we have the same difficulties as the faithful followers of the Nazarene faced in the first century, as lack of material and financial resources, misunderstandings among followers, persecutions, intolerance, sectarianism... But just as the first Christians started the work of perpetuating the message of Jesus, we must behave today with the practice of His commandment: "Love one another just as I have loved  you!"

Can this be considered as a restoration of its advent to meet the great anguish of today’s man?

"Restoration" is the correct word in the sense of returning to an earlier state. Throughout the centuries the message of the Gospel has been adulterated in the multiple forms of its understanding, being suited to the egoistic yearnings of humanity. With the study of Kardec’s works, aided by the vast appropriate Spiritist literature, we realize that the time of revelations has arrived and a new day arises for all mankind with a realistic interpretation of the teachings of Jesus. With the practice of real charity, we gradually move away from the lower feelings that still dominate us and we are revealing the divine spark that exists within us, consequently, softening our pains and anguishes, as we become aware that we are eternal beings.

From your research on the subject, what most catches your eye?

There is a phrase that says: "From an undeniable truth we can keep absolute conviction: Jesus does not abandon us because of our weaknesses" (Brother X, psychographics of Chico Xavier, book Stories and Notes, Lesson 9, Editora Boa Nova), which refers us to chapter 18 of the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus places a child among them and says that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven it is necessary to be humble as a child, adding in verse 14: "Your Father in Heaven does not want any of these to be lost", i.e., to reach the Kingdom of God we must learn to be humble as in our childhood here on the physical plane. Jesus never abandoned us and always protects us through the action of the Benefactor Spirits who are closest to us.

In this context of research and restoration, how do we place the issue of intolerance in relationships, including the religious one?

Feelings like sectarianism, intolerance, arrogance and prejudice are the result of the lower atavisms that still persist in us. Only the practice of good will eradicates these feelings from our spiritual DNA. Kardec's guidance is simple when he transcribes the answer of the Spirits in question 886 of The Book of Spirits, regarding the concept of charity as understood by Jesus: "Kindness to all, indulgence toward the imperfections of others, forgiveness of offenses."Only with the exemplification of the good at all times can we restore the Kingdom of God on Earth.

How do you see violence, still so present today?

Violence has always accompanied humanity in its evolutionary trajectory. What we have today is the speed with which information is disseminated, which, due to the emphasis given by the media to the subject, leads us to believe in an exponential increase of violence to the detriment of the good. We must also remember that a legion of Spirits, who have lived in the threshold regions for centuries, are reincarnating and have their last chance to find themselves on the path of good still in the earthly world. Gradually, a legion of Benefactor Spirits is also coming to the physical plane in an effort to leverage the progress of all beings during this transitional period. Just as the fever is caused by an infectious focus in the body, violence is a symptom and not a disease. The disease is selfishness still latent in us.

How can this legacy from another era, with other habits and without the technology that benefits us today, be used effectively to meet the present yearnings of peace?

The message of Christ is eternal. The charity, fraternity and humility that Jesus bequeathed to the world are the basic characteristics of the greater sentiment that moves the Universe: Love. We will find peace in ourselves when we practice this love of neighbor forgetting ourselves. Interiorizing ourselves in the meditation that nurtures, concentrated in the prayer that unites us to the Creator and working in the attitudes that exemplify, we will find the way of the good and a lamp in light will appear in our journey through the tortuous paths that we ourselves choose to walk in the night of the millennia.

Does this restoration bring any practical indicative that can be effectively used as a road map of harmony in family and social life?

Only with noble and virtuous feelings can we achieve harmony on Earth; beginning by peace in ourselves through tireless work in the propagation of the teachings of Jesus, and always under the guidance of Kardec's Codification. Emmanuel, through the psychographics of Chico Xavier, tells us that "(…) to preach is to reveal the greatness of Jesus’ principles in our own daily actions".

Something outstanding that you would like to add to the readers?

We will undoubtedly encounter difficulties in our present journey on the physical plane, but let us turn the hardships into opportunities for service and learning in the light of the revelation of the Spirits. We are the debtors of other ages, who seek to pay debts contracted and Jesus gave us the prescription 2,000 years ago when he said "You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free!" We are the contemporary Christians, the workers of the last hour in the task of the revelation of authentic Christianity, as the followers of Christ did twenty centuries ago.

Your final words.