Articles

Writing to heal Getting out the message of Christianity challenges each new generation of the followers of Christ Jesus. Our works—the living of the message—reach out to those looking for answers.

In 1989, when the public suddenly realized how dramatically the events in Central and Eastern Europe were coming to a head, my friends and I were regularly discussing the latest news. We wondered about the prospects and risks of rapid development that sometimes rides along on waves of alternating hope and disillusionment.

When attending a Wednesday evening testimony meeting in a Christian Science church, you may have heard a testifier state that he "handled" a certain illness and, in doing so, was healed. Did you go home wishing you understood more clearly his meaning when he said he "handled" it? One meaning of the word handle is to deal with, and when Christian Scientists say they "handle" evil or disease, they are talking about dealing with it prayerfully, metaphysically.

When Christ Jesus shared what is known as the last supper with his disciples, he went on to give them a "new" commandment: to love one another as he had loved them. But before telling them this, their Master had meekly washed their feet, saying: "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

A friend once confided that she often felt a secret sadness at family gatherings and celebrations because she dreaded the future when either she or her husband would pass on and the other one be left behind alone. Several times over the years she'd lost members of her family and each time had been devastated by grief and a sense of loss.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST The Master's words had been very clear just before he ascended. His disciples were to tell the story of his life and teaching, of his crucifixion and resurrection, everywhere —in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in the neighboring territories, "into all the world.

The Bible tells us that when Nathanael first met Christ Jesus, before Nathanael even had an opportunity to speak, the Master said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Now, Nathanael's friend Philip had told him that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Still, Jesus' instant insight into his character evidently surprised Nathanael—as it probably would have most of us.

We are used to dismissing as illusion certain things that our physical senses behold—a rainbow on the rug from sunshine striking a prism, tracks narrowing off in the distance, the distorted images of ourselves in a house of mirrors. We disbelieve what our eyes take in because we know what's really true.

Igniting fresh hope. Breaking through fear.

Devout Jews had been waiting for centuries. Their prophets—men like Isaiah, Zechariah, and Daniel—had promised a Messiah would come, bringing peace and the foundations of righteousness to Palestine and establishing God's kingdom all over the earth.