The near approach of the annual Communion in The Mother Church undoubtedly brings to the thought of every Christian Scientist the query, "Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good?" (Science and Health, p. 496); and it is well for us that we ponder this question at this time. The more serious the attention we give to this self-examination, the more certain are we to realize that there is "no royal road to success" in Christian Science, and that only through patient, faithful demonstration of "the healing power of Truth and Love" (Science and Health, p. 496) do we come nigh to the presence of God, good.
Our Communion is not a mere ceremony that proclaims the attainment of righteousness. It is the trustful prayer of the child to his heavenly Father for that Mind to be in him "which was also in Christ Jesus;" the confident and intelligent declaration of the omnipotence and omnipresence of Spirit, and of the spiritual and eternal existence of man in His image and likeness; the outpouring of gratitude for the blessings of health and happiness which the right understanding of God has bestowed upon mankind. As we assemble for this Communion let us not forget the words of Jesus: "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift;" nor yet the words of John, who said, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
The Psalmist has said, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. . . . The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate," and it is ours to demonstrate the truth of these promises. We are Christian Scientists only as we prove in some degree that prayer is answered, and that through this communion with God, infinite Mind, the sick are healed and the sinful reformed.
