A Subject much discussed today is that of preparedness—preparedness as to resources and strength, preparedness as to quick, wise, and efficient action in time of need. While we can see the wisdom of such action in a peace-loving society, are we sufficiently aware of our duty as individuals to maintain an alert state of thought? The mental preparedness of the individuals composing a society determines the effectiveness of the collective welfare. Each individual, therefore, has a very distinctive role to play in silencing the threat of fear, of attack, of war, and in establishing in place of the threat a right sense of protection, divine strength, and universal brotherhood.
Christian Science teaches that true preparedness is spiritual preparedness. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 458): "Divinity is always ready. Semper paratus is Truth's motto." One who is clad in the armor of alertness, purity, inspiration, and love is spiritually prepared at all times to meet and master the beliefs of the carnal mind.
Christ Jesus proved the foregoing fact conclusively. Forearmed with the might of spiritual ideas, he met every situation victoriously. No sudden, unlovely picture of disease could catch him mentally off guard, for his thought was held constantly to the spiritual fact of man's inseparable relationship to God. Nor did any impact of another's sinful sense find him unprepared to cope with its claims, for the Master knew in the very depths of his being that man is the sinless, perfect child of Spirit, untouched by the dream of corporeality.
