ON a hillside of Galilee, centuries ago, the greatest teacher the world has ever known gave to his disciples that wonderful treatise commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. At the close of this discourse the Master told them of two builders, one of whom built his house upon a rock, "and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock" (Matt. 7:25). The other built his house upon the sand, and when the storms came and beat upon this house, it fell. He told them that those who heeded his sayings were like the wise man who built upon a rock; that those who heeded them not were like the foolish man who built upon the sand.
Mary Baker Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 263), "These two words in Scripture suggest the sweetest similes to be found in any language— rock and feathers: 'Upon this rock I will build my church;' 'He shall cover thee with His feathers.'" In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she gives the spiritual meaning of "rock" thus (p. 593): "Spiritual foundation; Truth." The word "rock" suggests firmness, stability, support, defense, foundation. The word "feathers" brings to mind comfort, refuge, rest, protection. Is there not a close association between these two words, although we generally think of them as possessing directly opposite qualities?
The understanding of man as spiritual idea, the image and likeness of God, at one with and inseparable from the Father, is the rock, the foundation upon which each individual must build his true dwelling or abiding place. The real house in which man dwells is the consciousness of Love, founded upon the rock, Christ, Truth. This house is constructed of the substantial and enduring qualities of loving-kindness, honesty, purity, humility, and gratitude. It is infinite, beautiful, glorious. It is abundantly furnished with good and true ideas, and ever extends a loving welcome to the weary and heavy-laden to share its hospitality and peace.
