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It’s our turn to break bread – to receive & share God’s total blessing!
Metaphysical Application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on “Sacrament” for January 8-14, 2007
by Corde Hanzlik, C.S. of Austin, Texas
 
Editor’s Note: The following background information and application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for this week are offered primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp  NEW EACH WEDNESDAY: CHECK OUR WEBSITE- www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/- FOR A FREE FRENCH TRANSLATION of this weekly “met” offered by Pascal Bujard of Switzerland.

Let’s view this Lesson on Sacrament as a historical record of thought evolution on true worship.  We get a complete package of worship ingredients from the Passover in the Old Testament, to Communion in the New, to our present-day “willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new.” (S&H1)   As the Golden Text suggests, all of us right now have the total blessing of a divine sense of grace, love and communion.  In the Responsive Reading, we have the full layout of the Lesson from Moses’ time to present day. Are we not the current partakers of the bread?  Every section has the breaking and sharing of bread that “feed(s) the famished affections.” (S&H 16:5)  We are included in Paul’s audience when he addresses us as “brethren.”  He makes the beautiful link of the Rock for all generations.  This Lesson gives us the opportunity to recognize our link with the Rock, Christ, and Church that has been and is ever-present without time, space or place.  Let us break and eat this bread together and share it “with gladness and singleness of heart.” (B13)

 
Section 1 Keep it simple!
The reference from Psalms, to bow down and kneel, is rather simple compared to the ritual of Moses and Aaron in marker 2. Moses and Aaron were commemorating the saving of the Jewish children the night that the firstborn in Egypt would die.  These instructions were to be followed carefully with great reverence.  But, we have the reminder in Hebrews that God is to be known in our “hearts,” and is known by everyone without intermediaries. (B3)  We are all true worshippers as we worship in “spirit and truth” not in things or procedures. (B4)
As we are childlike (Wouldn’t that mean that our prayers are full of expectation to get answers without outlining?) in our thought instead of “rituals” of prayer and worship, we are open to grand, new ideas – progress. (S&H 1,2,3,4)  Marker 5 in the S&H appears to be a question, but Mrs. Eddy states that it is a command.  Her version of a “do it or else.”  Who benefits most from this exercise?  It is easy to give up “material sense and human will,” right?  Is that a sacrifice?  Trick question.
 
Section 2 Different multitude, new lessons, same Rock
Jesus gave the multitude a new kind of Passover without a lamb. (Who might be the lamb at this time?)  The disciples had only skepticism for feeding the huge number of people.  It took a lad, a childlike thought, to give freely. It is interesting too, that there is no fragmented truth (bread) lost.  Let’s make sure that we too follow this model to seek out and use every crumb of truth to meet our needs this week.  The people were quick to realize that anyone who could feed 5000 with so little could easily travel from one shore to another without a boat.  Did they have more faith than the disciples?  If they were merely following Jesus in a personal following, Jesus was quick to set them straight.  It was really the truth that they sought.  They had gotten a taste of it.  “Believe on him whom he hath sent.”  Was Jesus saying that he too, is one of the works of God?  Moses knew the works of God.  Was Moses too, one of the works of God?  What are we?  Do we have the bread, truth, to know? Are we the breadworks?
Is S&H 6 the answer to the questions above?  S&H 9 definitely answers the question that the people had.  At the end of the section, Mrs. Eddy gives us a clear list to follow of “God’s gracious means for accomplishment whatever …” (S&H 11)
 
Section 3 Same old Passover with a new twist of meaning?
Jesus and his disciples were obedient and reverent to Jewish tradition as they prepared for and ate the Passover meal. Jesus added the new translation of the ceremony that Mrs. Eddy explains so beautifully in all of the S&H markers 12-14. She asks us a major question in S&H 13 about our willingness “to leave all for the Christ-principle”. She also gives us a disclaimer as well as a reminder of the Passover of section 1 in S&H15, the same question as in I Cor. (B7). Are we in passage out of bondage? Yes, but don’t we also have the real meaning of the Lamb to know that we are never in bondage to materiality?
 
Section 4 Would our eyes be “holden” or open to Jesus after the resurrection?
Would we believe Mary if she came to us saying that Jesus had risen? (B9) The story of the walk to Emmaus is always a touching one. Jesus was, or course, so forgiving of the two for mourning and not recognizing him as he walked with them. He was so gentle as he retold biblical prophesies about his experience. It wasn’t until they received the bread (truth) that “their eyes were opened” and they got the message. Where are we on that walk? We have the full explanation. Jesus left us work to do – “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons: freely ye have received, freely give.” How can we keep our hearts burning within us to do these things?
Like the disciples, we can be raised “from spiritual dullness and blind belief in God into the perception of infinite possibilities.” (S&H 17)  Mrs. Eddy tells us that we can do what Jesus told us to do. In marker 20, she gives us a thought to “hold perpetually … to demonstrate with scientific certainty, the rule of healing!” We have the blessing of the whole picture. We know the end as “in the beginning.”
 
Section 5 Fishing anyone?
Peter and the disciples were temporarily lost and disillusioned, so they went back to their old ways. Whenever you feel hopeless about any situation, don’t despair. Jesus saved and guided his lost sheep with love, not rebuke. We, too, are always forgiven for our mistakes as we are willing to cast our nets on the correct side.
Mrs. Eddy writes the description of the night of toil and the morning meal so wonderfully. (S&H 21) What practical evidences (like our “pride rebuked, … changed … methods, … newness of life”) can we give this week to show how grateful we are for these insights on how “to commune with the divine Principle, Love”? (S&H 22)
 
Section 6 More bread breaking!
Not only did the followers of Jesus find out what the true bread of life was, they were willing to share and spread the word with “singleness of heart” – one accord, focus! (B13) Eutychus was grateful for sure that the bread (truth) was clearly understood as he was raised up. He was a beneficiary of the truth that heals. We don’t want soggy bread as a result of literal bread in water, so clearly Ecclesiastes is telling us about the bread of truth again. (B15) Our bread of truth brings blessing and healing to “all whom your thoughts rest upon.” (Miscellany 210:10)
Our demand is that we follow Jesus’ instructions. (S&H23) It is our duty and privilege! (S&H24) The test questions as well as the promise are in marker 25. Will we build upon the Rock of truth, our church, universal and triumphant by casting out error and healing? We’d better! We are endued with the spirit and power! (S&H27) The bread of life, Life! It’s our turn!

Camp Director’s Note:The above sharing is the latest in a long series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. This document is intended to initiate further study as well as to encourage the application of ideas found in the Weekly Bible Lessons as printed in the Christian Science Quarterly and as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms. * Originally sent JUST to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson “mets” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson in the books. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension, background and daily applicability to some of the ideas and passages being studied. The citations referenced (i.e. B1 and S28) from this week’s Bible Lesson in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (B1-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (S1-30) The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.)  Spirituality is your innate estate that connects you moment by moment with God.  (See S&H 258:30) Christ is the gift of light that Jesus gave.  This Christ light of spiritual understanding comes with and reveals infinite blessings. So, have fun unwrapping and cherishing your very special, spiritual gift(s)!  Then, wherever you are, share them with all as big blessings that make the Infinite difference!

 


The weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CedarS, as well as to CedarS alumni, families and friends who have requested it.  However, current and planned giving contributions are a big help and are greatly appreciated in defraying the costs of running this service and of providing needed camperships, programs and operations support. Click http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving for more about how you can provide support online or to get information about how to confer privately about making a special gift to help perpetuate CedarS good work.

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