One of Jesus’ final teachings, given to his disciples just days before his crucifixion, includes the instruction to minister to the needs of those less fortunate. He taught of the Son of man commending the work of those who took his mission out into the world. He stated, “ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you made me welcome. I was naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you came and looked after me. I was in prison and you came to see me there.’ ” When asked when they did these things to him, the remarkable answer was, “ ‘I assure you that whatever you did for the humblest of my brothers you did for me’ ” (Matt. 25:35, 36, 40, J.B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition).
For decades, Christian Scientists throughout the world have taken the most precious gift they have, Christian Science, and offered it to others in penal institutions, mental health facilities, military installations, and nursing homes. It is a precious ministry—sometimes giving church services, other times offering a listening ear or offering the Bible, Science and Health, or one of the Christian Science periodicals.
This ministering is not one person counseling another. Instead it is the Christ—the truth of God and man—speaking to both church member and friend. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness” (Science and Health, p. 332). This Christ is everywhere, speaking to everyone. All we need is a listening thought.
