Articles

While living far away from my home country, I found myself a target of mean-spirited comments for reasons I could only guess were racial or ethnic and cultural. As a youth I had been familiar with that kind of prejudice, having been harassed in my own school many times for choosing or defending a friend who might not have had a dark enough skin color (as was more accepted by those who were native or part-native in the area).

A couple of years ago, I felt the need to explore the meaning of compassion more deeply. I’d been feeling exhausted by the constant push and pull of the political situation in the world.

The words we choose when praying might be significant. Silent words can indicate our heart’s desire.

Sometimes it can seem that long-acknowledged standards and axioms have dissipated and are no longer relevant in this modern society. For instance, the word Christ, traditionally a name most reverently associated with Jesus, is often used today as a common exclamation of astonishment, despair—or even worse.

The Word of God and what it means is of immeasurable significance to those who would be spiritual healers. What then is the Word? It is the law of God coming to consciousness, bringing spiritual understanding and revealing the healing power of divine Truth and Love.

Our daughter was at one of her high school color guard team practices. The rest of the family was headed off to another activity.

Whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, the way we think about it ultimately determines the outcome of the situation. I’m not talking about willing a problem to go away or any form of positive thinking, but rather staying with what is fundamentally true to bring about a helpful resolution.

I ask myself the following questions from time to time: What are my expectations for church? How am I viewing the activity of my local branch Church of Christ, Scientist? Am I in my “ready position” at church?  What is a “ready position,” exactly? In volleyball, it is a stance where the players are attentively focused on the player serving the ball and ready to jump or lunge as soon as the ball is in motion. In this fast-paced sport, it’s necessary to be ready to act in a split second.

Dear Reader, A subscriber recently urged us not to forget “the Christian Science readership” by writing in a way that is accessible to newcomers, adding: “Isn’t it a form of malpractice to believe the newcomer can’t understand certain things?” We certainly cherish our regular readers. Thank you all! And yes, it would be incorrect to presume those new to Christian Science can’t understand the metaphysical ideas at its core.

In Science and Health  with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy says, “Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections” ( p. 58 ).