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."
An experience of mine taught me this lesson. I had become far more interested in gaining a physical healing than in becoming more spiritually-minded. Looking longingly at the "loaves and fishes," I was obsessed with seeking the material evidence of healing.
During several years a growth on my face had become more noticeable. One day, in studying references on overcoming fear, I was much impressed by Mrs. Eddy's statement in the textbook, "Christian scientific practice begins with Christ's keynote of harmony, 'Be not afraid!'" ibid., p. 410; This stood out to me. As a musician, I knew the value of the keynote in all musical compositions and I began to work with this idea. The analogy between music and Science became very interesting. Soon I began to recognize that I had been given an idea that might be helpful to others. I could share it in an article. In working along these lines I completely forgot the problem that had inspired the study.
One evening, soon after the article was finished, a friend dropped by. She knew how aggressive my fear had been and had lovingly helped me on occasion. When I met her at the door, she exclaimed, "Your face! It is as clear of blemish as a child's!" This was the first time I had thought of the problem in days; it had so completely vanished from my thought that even my mirror had not revealed the healing to me. I am sure that my selfless consecration to the task at hand and gratitude for remembered healings had hastened the demonstration.
It is difficult to understand how those of us who have seen the sick healed and have experienced healing ourselves could ever be tempted to allow the glow of gratitude to grow dim or the perfume of its presence to evaporate. But temptation to walk a less rugged way than dedicating ourselves to the Christ, Truth, or to stop short of consecration's summit, is not uncommon. Even Christ Jesus was subjected to it during his forty days in the wilderness. But with what clear vision he saw through the suggestion and how vigorously he refuted it with his words, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve"! Matt.4:10;
Jesus' words of warning to the man healed at Bethesda are a warning to people in every age: "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."John 5:14; Whenever we feel inclined to rest in our climb to the summit, we can be sure the tempter is on our trail. The word "sin" is not a popular one in this modern age. Mankind are given to calling the earth-weights we cling to by pleasant-sounding names that would tempt us to excuse or condone error. The Concordances to Mrs. Eddy's writings provide over a thousand references to sin and most of them are warnings—signposts, as it were— directing students of Christian Science back to the path that leads to the summit.
Perhaps our spiritual progress has been slowed because of a lack of proper appreciation of what is involved in dedication to the Christ. Jesus has, by both example and precept, shown us how great is the need for dedicated workers. "Go ye into all the world," he tells his disciples and us. But he also gives us a very definite reason why we, his disciples, should go into the world: to "preach the gospel to every creature."Mark 16:15; Jesus did not live the life of a recluse. He visited his friends, attended a wedding, preached and healed on the hills of Galilee, but wherever he went he was there for one purpose—to be about his Father's business.
The Christian Scientist who ascends the summit of consecration before he goes forth into the world may be assured that he will never lack for an opportunity to let his light shine and to be a witness for Truth. Understanding his true identity and strengthened by his comprehension that he is not, never was, and never will be corporeal, he will go forth with armor on. Then the world will see him as a Christian Scientist who is a businessman or a teacher or a musician, not a businessman who is a Christian Scientist.
Our love for and our dedication to the Cause of Christian Science will be evidenced in our lives as we climb our own particular summit of consecration and, like the disciples of old, climb always with deep humility.
Perhaps our progress has been slowed because of a lack of proper appreciation of the true meaning of the words "gratitude" and "appreciation." Do we realize the love that underlies them? Gratitude is usually defined as a feeling of thankfulness, and that is important. But it can also have the meaning of a virtue implying a proper sense of duty. "Consecration," too, hints at devotion to Go—in service and worship.
Gratitude and consecration were understood and expressed in deeds by the pioneering workers of Christian Science. The gratitude they felt for their own healings transformed their lives. They improved opportunities to present the healing truth to others. As students of this great truth they felt the responsibility for bringing this blessing to the attention of suffering humanity. Thus, they were led to consecrate their lives to the service and worship of God.
The need for such a concept of service is with us still. Mrs. Eddy's call has current urgency: "Never was there a more solemn and imperious call than God makes to us all, right here, for fervent devotion and an absolute consecration to the greatest and holiest of all causes."Miscellaneous Writings, p. 177. This message will not go unheeded if we are sincere in our desire to dwell on "the summit of devout consecration."
