The parable of the prodigal son affords many helpful lessons for students of Christian Science in their upward way from sense to Soul. Not only does this parable underline the folly of one's pandering to the material senses by the seeking of substance in matter, as the prodigal did, but it also proves substance to be present with us, here at the moment just where we are.
The elder son allowed envy to sway his thought when he heard about the prodigal's warm welcome. Refusing to participate in the joyful reunion of father and son, he too strayed into the far country of lack—lack of love and brotherliness. Just as the prodigal had been in want, so the elder son had accepted a belief that he would be deprived of some good because of his brother's return.
Individuals who have glimpsed something of the truth as revealed by Christian Science may not find themselves in the same quandary as that of the prodigal. But is there not a tendency at times to feel that one is in the position of the elder brother? We may see a friend's splendid demonstrations of great spiritual progress and of successful healing work, while we ourselves, despite earnest, sincere study, seem unable to solve our own personal problems.
On some occasions lack may seem to be very real. One may have an abundance of good health, but lack supply. Another may have ample supply, but lack sound health. Do we sometimes regard our church, a branch of The Mother Church, as suffering from lack—lack of new members, of suitable buildings, of spiritually minded workers? Does our branch church seem to lack the tranquil atmosphere or spiritual peace which helps and heals and saves those who are drawn to the Sunday services and Wednesday testimony meetings?
Just as the father in Christ Jesus' uplifting parable placed his "all" at the son's disposal, so God, our heavenly Father, makes "all" available to man in His image and likeness. God, the Giver of all good, bestows His bounty impartially upon the whole of His creation. In His infinite love and wisdom He does not withhold from one the supply he provides for another.
Where lack seems to be, there is God's unfailing, infinite supply, provided in unlimited quantity for all to accept and enjoy. We do not need to go here or go there for supply; it is here now, ready to be used for the glory of God and for the benefit of mankind. The "all" of the Father can be claimed and utilized as the scientific relationship of God and man is understood and demonstrated in individual consciousness. Christian Science reveals this scientific relationship, and in many different parts of the world men are demonstrating harmony, health, and supply by the study and application of this Science.
In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy asks (p.3): "Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more." If we feel that we have received the "all" of good health but not of supply or vice versa, let us prayerfully consider whether we are truly grateful for the good which we have already enjoyed. Gratitude softens and mellows the heart, just as the sunshine opens the petals of a rosebud. Grumbling hardens the heart so that it is unable to benefit from the infinite good surrounding it.
We need a grateful heart, not a grumbling one; we need a heart overflowing with love and gratitude for the good already received before we can enjoy the Father's blessing (Luke 15:31), "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." It may be helpful to note here that the implication is that the son is ever with the Father. The son dwells forever in the spiritual universe with the Father. So the Father is ever available, as we find when we lift up our hearts to Him and claim the "all" He has prepared for us.
Many problems in everyday life are solved by lifting up the heart to God, the Father of all, in gratitude for the good already received. For example, a student of Christian Science whose duty involved the writing of long, detailed articles on a highly specialized subject believed that every aspect had been fully treated and that nothing could be added to what had already been written on this particular subject. Lifting up his heart to the Father who knows and gives all and who places His "all" at the disposal of man, His image and likeness, the student gratefully acknowledged the divine source of many helpful ideas which had come to him in the past. He confidently affirmed the divine source to be the infinite Father-Mother God, who eternally provides all good to all His perfect creation.
Within a few minutes there unfolded in the student's consciousness a veritable wealth of thoughts, fresh, clear, graphic, which enabled him to complete the article already in hand and provided enough material for two subsequent articles. After that, whenever an article on this subject became due, the necessary ideas unfolded naturally and logically.
The "all" which our heavenly Father bestows is our inalienable right which cannot be lost, taken away, or utilized by anyone else. Indeed, if we desired to dispose of it, we could not do so, for an inalienable right can never be transferred from the one on whom it has been bestowed. Thus, sooner or later, every individual must become conscious of his rights as a son of God and rejoice in the "all" of the Father's infinite bounty.
Mrs. Eddy defines God in the Glossary of Science and Health (p. 587) as, "The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence." Prayerful contemplation of this inspired definition —so comprehensive as to be utterly beyond the grasp of mere human intellect—reveals to some extent, at least, the infinite "all" and enables us to benefit by the Father's blessing, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."
