Each year class-taught students of Christian Science have the opportunity to revitalize their commitment to the things of Spirit at the "morning meal" of their association day. This yearly gathering, provided for in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, brings new insights: how to continue growing in spiritual understanding, how to practice the Science of Christianity more consistently, how to meet the moral and spiritual demands of our time. The truths shared at this meal clarify and deepen one's appreciation of what Christian Science is and of the breadth and scope of Mrs. Eddy's contribution to the betterment of mankind.
Attending the meeting of my association each year has helped me reshape my outlook to more God-centered affections. I have gained in acuteness and discernment so that I am more on my toes mentally in applying specific truths to heal erring trends of human thought. What we learn at our morning meal shows us how to cultivate more poise when confronted with challenges and so to become a more spiritually watchful and effective world citizen.
In his ministry of only three short years, Christ Jesus accomplished a colossal task — that of impelling the Christianization of humanity and uplifting the race. One early morning after his resurrection he appeared to Peter, John, and other disciples on the shore of the Tiberian Sea. Perhaps discouraged over the events of the crucifixion, these students had returned to their old trade of fishing. Had they forgotten their Master's teaching so soon, all the "signs and wonders" and the raising of the dead? Compassionately, Jesus called to them from the shore and broke their pattern of fruitless fishing. "Come and dine," See John 21:1-17; he said, providing them with fish on the coals and bread for this special morning meal. Then he directed Peter to go forward, challenging him and rousing him to do the good works he was capable of, saying, "Feed my sheep."
The meeting of our association is just such a call. Our willingness to "come and dine" is rewarded by the bread of Christ and deep drafts of the waters of Truth. Sustained by these, we can go forward with renewed power to heal.
Any withdrawal of support for our association can be seen as a direct attack on Church. Apathy, lukewarmness, complacency, disinclination to spiritual growth, are enemies to progress and indicate the anti-Christ working against the educational system of Christian Science and its redemptive mission.
Are we alert, quick to detect the subtle arguments of the anti-Christ, to rebuke them and eliminate them from our thinking? Evil may argue, "Why bother to go this year just to hear another speech?" Is that really our thought? Or is it mortal mind projecting apathy and ingratitude? Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, warns us: "Watch and guard your own thoughts against evil suggestions and against malicious mental malpractice, wholly disloyal to the teachings of Christian Science." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 130;
We can destroy the foe to spiritualization of thought. Nothing can keep us from seeing the importance of attending our association if we truly value the lifework of our Leader. What she has given in this educational system is the finest, most practical method of Christianly scientific instruction possible. Understanding this, we will cherish class instruction and the yearly meeting as among the most important events of our lives.
Learning more about scientific thinking and living through this event is a priceless opportunity to advance. Growth is not automatic. The budding consciousness of divine reality must be nourished, then watched over, so Christliness can expand. We must work with God for our development. Willingness to open our thinking to true being enhances our capabilities. Limp idleness is a spiritual coma. How can we help others or ourselves unless we are awake?
As we strive for a fuller sense of God's presence, we will become more conscious of man's native goodness, purity, and immortality and love to demonstrate them. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Happy are the people whose God is All-in-all, who ask only to be judged according to their works, who live to love." ibid., p. 127.
At the "morning meal"—the meeting of our association—we gain new strength to move Spiritward. We learn that God is All-in-all and that we do "live to love." Hungry for truth? "Come and dine."
