Being strong and firm does not preclude love

Love, as a synonym for God, occurs more times in “Atonement and Eucharist” than in any other chapter in Science and Health. How does this chapter define Love?

Love is a Science: It involves sacrifice and work, and blesses those that curse it (Science and Health, p. 30). Love heals (p. 31). It “demands that all men should follow the example of our Master and his apostles” (p. 40). Love is the conqueror and master of hate and the victor over error and death (pp. 43, 44). Divine Love has healing power (p.55).

What is required to live as a transparency for Love, God?

After reading about Jesus’ temptations in Luke 4:1–13, I see that being strong and firm does not preclude love. Jesus demonstrated this, and I don’t know why our experience would be any different. 

Being a transparency doesn’t mean having an easy life. After experiencing the temptations, Jesus returned home to Nazareth and read in the synagogue, which ended with the people in the synagogue trying to throw him off a cliff! He then headed to another town where he rebuked a man with an unclean devil. That’s when his fame started to spread. 

Being a transparency is self-sacrificing and brings healing power. Jesus said to cast out first the beam in our own eye, so we can see clearly to pull the mote from another’s eye (Luke 6:42). Mrs. Eddy builds on this: “whosoever layeth his earthly all on the altar of divine Science….is endued with the spirit and power of Christian healing” (Science and Health, p. 55:23).

Christ Jesus often rebukes rabbinical error. How does a Christian Scientist fearlessly face down popular beliefs that oppose the practice of Christian Science?

Our fearlessness comes from being acquainted with the truth. But it is natural to be fearful if you’re not on that foundation. Popular beliefs cause blindness and unwillingness to learn the truth. Jesus’ parable about the rich man and Lazarus, especially the part about warning the brothers, makes me think that even signs and wonders would not convince some people of the truth. This makes me want to choose my battles with the opposition.

One way of facing down popular beliefs is to use wisdom when sharing information about our experiences in Christian Science and not to overshare. Several times in Luke, Jesus told people not to spread the word: when Jairus’ daughter was healed (Luke 8:56) and when Peter said Jesus was the Christ (Luke 9:20, 21).

Jesus prophesied that his followers would be persecuted, but reassured them that the words to say would come at the right time and that not a hair of their heads would be hurt. “In your patience,” he said, “possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19). He also prophesied that in later times, “men’s hearts [will fail] them for fear” (Luke 21:26).

Finally, Jesus said “heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:33). His words, which never die, and his guidance are the sure foundation that calms and instructs.

What are the benefits of building one’s life on the Rock?

You don’t have to build it twice. You don’t get torn to the ground and then have to start over again correctly. You can find real peace, happiness, and harmony. 

As Jesus told Martha, “one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). The good foundation lasts. Martha was hard-working and conscientious, but Mary was building on the Rock.

Finally, it’s never too late to build! One of the two malefactors hanged with Jesus condemned the other for disrespecting Jesus, and then asked Jesus to remember him in heaven. Then he received this blessing from Jesus: “To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).