Luke's Gospel relates a story that is well known to readers of the Bible. It is of utmost importance to them, and especially, perhaps, to students of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy comments on it at great length in Science and Health. In fact, she devotes several pages to a discussion of the practical value of the incident to those who rely on Christian Science for healing.
The story tells of a woman, later called Mary Magdalene, who came to the home of Simon, a wealthy Pharisee, to pay homage to Jesus, who was a guest there. Mrs. Eddy contrasts the attitudes toward Christ Jesus of Simon and the Magdalen, who humbly sought forgiveness. Speaking of the latter, she says: "This is what is meant by seeking Truth, Christ, not 'for the loaves and fishes,' nor, like the Pharisee, with the arrogance of rank and display of scholarship, but like Mary Magdalene, from the summit of devout consecration, with the oil of gladness and the perfume of gratitude, with tears of repentance and with those hairs all numbered by the Father." Science and Health, p. 367;
To attain a summit of consecration comparable to that gained by the Magdalen we need not only a humble and grateful heart but a deep appreciation of the Christ. Our motives should be as pure and sincere. But, although we are quick to deny that our incentives and interests are like Simon's, can we truly say we are seeking Truth with the deep consecration of the Magdalen? What about the lie of life in matter? Is it becoming less real? Or are we trying to use our understanding of Christian Science to make material existence more pleasant? Error would deceive us into believing that if healings are slow in appearing the fault must lie not in us but in Truth itself! Sometimes, if a problem seems to grow more real to us, we may find we are working— unknowingly—for the "loaves and fishes."
