Christian Scientists are grateful for the Lesson-Sermons outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, Mrs. Eddy provided the subjects of these lessons, and they are used in the Sunday services of all Churches of Christ, Scientist. The public can become acquainted with the teachings of Christian Science on vital religious questions by means of these Bible Lessons. Among the topics is one that is rich in meaning to all Christians: "Sacrament."
For the Christian Scientist to ponder the truths set forth in this lesson, as well as in the others, is to experience refreshment, renewal, and spiritual inspiration. The Christian Scientist strives to "keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (I Cor. 5:8).
In this spirit the communion service is lifted above ritualism and symbolism, and the individual worshiper is brought face to face with what is required of him if he is to be a loyal follower of the Master, Christ Jesus. Some understanding of the practical import of the events following the Last Supper enables him to discern in larger measure the significance of the morning meal, which the Master prepared for his disciples. In speaking of this breakfast, our Leader writes in Science and Health (p. 35): "This spiritual meeting with our Lord in the dawn of a new light is the morning meal which Christian Scientists commemorate. They bow before Christ, Truth, to receive more of his reappearing and silently to commune with the divine Principle, Love."
Although little is known of what took place at this meeting between the disciples and their risen Master, enough is given in the Bible account to show that Jesus did not overlook this opportunity to instruct his disciples in the practical nature of his teachings and experiences. His counsel (John 21:15, 16), "Feed my lambs....Feed my sheep," is a ringing challenge to his followers today.
During the three years he was with his disciples, Jesus carefully instructed them, carrying them along the line of spiritual understanding as far as they could go. He had prepared them to teach others and to do the works of healing he expected of them. He had provided for them opportunity to gain experience under his supervision. But this meeting with them after his victory over death and after their disappointment and discouragement was an opportunity to renew their vision of what was to be accomplished and the means of its accomplishment.
So, today, the recurring Lesson-Sermon on Sacrament gives to the Christian Scientist the occasion to renew his consecration by a reappraisal of what has been done to bring the spiritual idea to mankind and what remains to be accomplished. His endeavor is stimulated by the awareness of the goal to be won. This goal is the demonstration of man's inseparable oneness, or unity, with God, the divine Principle of all being.
Spiritual baptism is an indispensable element in sacrament. But to be effective, this baptism must be preceded by repentance and followed by regeneration. These spiritually mental steps, repentance, spiritual baptism, and regeneration, enable the individual to accomplish the mission which is set before us all, to work out our salvation in the way Christ Jesus taught.
In the process of spiritualizing thought and living, repentance is far from a penance expressed through bodily discomfort or the ritual expression of sorrow. It is a deep, genuine, and practical turning from sins and mistakes. This turning results from one's recognizing one's sins and mistakes and from the desire to prove one's superiority to them.
Repentance becomes irresistible as one understands the true nature of God and gains a love for good. Then comes at least a glimpse of the unreality of evil. Thus repentance blends with baptism. Science and Health tells us (p. 35), "Our baptism is a purification from all error."
As we strive for purification in any one direction of thought, a spiritual force is loosed which demands purification in every direction of thought. So the baptism of Spirit is seen to be not an event in time but a continuing purifying of human thought of all that would defile and limit. The result is seen to permeate all human activity, bringing harmony in place of discord, giving new motives for endeavor, and liberating individual capacity through a greater trust in God and His Christ.
Spiritual baptism is not an external rite; it is a very sacred experience coming from deep within human consciousness. It evidences that a growing love for God replaces love of self and a purification from the motives for sinning. It indicates a newfound meaning in the First Commandment, expressing itself in obedience to Spirit, God, only, not loyalty divided between matter and Spirit. Just as repentance leads to spiritual baptism, so baptism is followed by regeneration. Regeneration leads to the full demonstration of man's indestructible oneness with God, which Christian Science designates as atonement.
When the Master commanded his followers, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48), he was pointing out man's spiritual nature as the child of God. He was not setting an abstract glory before his followers, but stating the scientific culmination of regeneration in human lives.
As we trustingly turn to the Father and reach out for His support whenever the temptations of material sense would cause us to stumble, we find His love supporting us and encouraging us to better and higher endeavor. Then in humility and thanksgiving we see more clearly that God is Love and that His love does embrace us and does meet our human need.
How important, then, to approach the lesson on Sacrament with gratitude for this haven of spiritual refreshment, in which we can renew our vision, reaffirm our loyalty, and reconsecrate ourselves to the work that has been given us. Then with resolve we can press forward in the endeavor to be worthy followers of the Christ.
In her Message to The Mother Church for 1900, Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 15): "To-day you have come to a sumptuous feast, to one that for many years has been awaiting you. The guests are distinguished above human title and this feast is a Passover. To sit at this table of their Lord and partake of what divine Love hath prepared for them, Christian Scientists start forward with true ambition. The Passover, spiritually discerned, is a wonderful passage over a tear-filled sea of repentance—which of all human experience is the most divine; and after this Passover cometh victory, faith, and good works."
