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Recognize Mind, God, as the source of all good and all understanding!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on

“Mind”
for February 17-23, 2020

by: Kathy Fitzer kathyfitzer@gmail.com

Golden Text: God gives wisdom to all. Knowledge and understanding flow freely from divine Mind — another name for God. We just have to claim them as ours, and know they belong (by reflection) to all others, too.

I was interested to discover that the word skill is another term commonly associated with each of the Greek words translated here as wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, So, whatever skill we need to express at any particular time, we can claim as ours, as we recognize its source to be God, Mind.

Responsive Reading: Whenever — for whatever reason — we may be tempted to feel hopeless or helpless about a situation, it is helpful — mandatory in fact — to remember that “Everything comes from him [God];

Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes. (Rom. 11: 36, The Message) The wisdom we most need is the understanding that God is the source of all things — truly the ALL of everything! We’re never left to our own devices!! Several verses of the Responsive Reading describe the effect of gaining wisdom and understanding (see Prov. 3: 23, 24; Prov. 4: 22): (1) We will navigate whatever comes our way safely, without stumbling; (2) When we lie down to go to sleep (or simply when the darkness of night comes) we will not be afraid and we will be able to sleep peacefully, without anxiety; and (3) this understanding vitalizes us and enables us to experience health.

Section 1: Mind is the source of perfect wisdom and all good

We are daily faced with decisions — some very small and seemingly inconsequential, some quite major., and many in-between Sometimes it feels we don’t know enough to make an informed decision. Or, maybe we are in a situation where it’s really important to know the right answer — when taking a test or answering someone’s question. Gratefully, we never have to settle for a hopeless feeling of “I just don’t know.” [See in a BONUS G.E.M. Warren’s exam day miracle as an example of what God gives us all.] There is always an answer because infinite Mind is always at hand. As we learn to “ask of God” we can expect to hear which way to turn and have the answers that we need. What a promise from James, “But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.” (B2, CEB)

Why struggle to figure things out ourselves when we have this assurance, “The perfect Mind sends forth perfection, for God is Mind.” (S1) The perfect, complete Mind, communicates perfect, complete ideas because God is all and only good!! When we understand our relationship to God and realize that God, Mind, constantly sends forth perfect gifts, we become conscious of that ever-present good and can have “no consciousness of the existence of matter or error.” (B2 & S4) That brings healing to any and every discordant situation! We can ask … is this a good gift? If not, it is powerless to cling to us, frighten us, or influence us.

Section 2: God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy

I questioned this verse from Ecclesiastes which says that God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to “the one who pleases” him. (B5, NRSV) Doesn’t God give those gifts to all of His children? Reading the verse in the context of the chapter, the question was raised as to the value of hard work — of toil that didn’t seem to result in immediate reward. The teacher answers that doing the right thing pleases God, and wisdom, knowledge, and joy follow. A Bible scholar makes the point that it is “God’s will that human beings should enjoy life.” That doesn’t mean that all things will go as planned, but we can always find wisdom, knowledge, and joy if we accept God’s gifts. (B5, New Interpreter’s Bible)

Didn’t Joseph’s experience demonstrate this? It didn’t look like his toil was being rewarded, but the wisdom he received ended up blessing an entire nation and surrounding nations, including his family. (B6) Joseph didn’t have answers on his own, but God certainly gave them to him. Science and Health explains that this unfolding of wisdom is a divine law available to be tapped into by all of us! God is forever imparting wisdom. What do we need to do in order to receive it? Be governed by God. (S7) Acquaint ourselves with the “Science of being.” (S8) Continue to build a “knowledge of the Science of being.” (S9) And, “be firm in [our] understanding that the divine Mind governs, and that in Science man reflects God’s government.” (S11) This work is never intellectual. It is giving up a false sense of self separated from God and yielding to the power of Mind that loves to impart infinite “wisdom, knowledge, and joy.”

Section 3: Build on the rock of the Science of Mind

Mary Baker Eddy named her discovery Christian Science for good reason. Science is described in my Synonym Finder as: “body of knowledge, body of facts or information, body of laws or principles, body of truths or verities or realities.” And Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines science as “understanding of Truth; knowledge.” Jesus made it very clear that his teachings didn’t contradict God’s law, but fulfilled it. (B11) He was known for teaching with authority because everything he taught was based on his knowledge of God’s law — which doesn’t change. He assured his listeners that if they followed his teachings their ability to stand up to whatever came their way would be as unshakeable as a house built on a foundation of rock that could endure floods and wind. (B12) A friend recently shared an article from the April, 2004 Christian Science Journal by Carol Dee Lewis. It is called, “Healing — because there is no fear in the allness of Love.” Speaking of Jesus’ reference to the wise man building on a rock, the article says: “The Rock—Christ Truth—fearless Truth! Jesus didn’t say the storms wouldn’t come because we built on the rock. He said we’d survive the storms because we’re on that Rock, Christ!”

While Jesus taught in accord with the Science of Mind, Mary Baker Eddy delineated the principles of this Science in a way that allows us all to understand and demonstrate them. Building on the solid foundation of Truth, we can proceed fearlessly. Beginning with what MIND knows, we can be confident of seeing and experiencing what Mind has designed — which is always good and entirely separate from the limitations of matter. (S14 & S15) I love that knowing even a “small degree” that “being is holiness, harmony, immortality” is enough to “uplift the physical and moral standard of mortals”, “increase longevity”, and “purify and elevate character.” We don’t have to know everything there is to know about God! Just hold to the facts. We will make progress, and this progress will “destroy all error, and bring immortality to light.” (S16) Rejoice in baby steps! Just make sure to keep thought established on the rock of Truth!

Section 4: Transformation through welcoming Christ into thought
[W. See a Zacchaeus monologue by Ken Cooper at https://youtu.be/GwquqRAXDG8 ]
I think it’s important to ask ourselves …. How eager am I to have my thought (and my life) transformed, even if it means changing some of my views and actions? The way Zacchaeus responded to Jesus was BIG! There’s no reason to think he was looking for “healing’. Likely, he simply had a desire to see this man that was causing such a stir. Jesus reached out to HIM. He DID respond, however. Doesn’t the last line of the story apply to us as much as it did to Zacchaeus? “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (B15)

Christ, Truth, is as ready and eager to enter the consciousness of each one of us as Jesus was eager to enter the home of Zacchaeus. Is it possible that Jesus saw something that needed awakening in Zacchaeus’ thought? Jesus has already demonstrated an interest in “sinners” as well as in “rich men.” Most of the rich he had dealt with had not been willing to give up their riches. Although Zacchaeus wasn’t in danger of becoming poor, he was willing to release some of his wealth. That, combined with the fact that he was humble enough to first run and then climb a tree (very undignified!) in order to achieve his goal of seeing Jesus, says a lot about him. We can learn from, and emulate, Zacchaeus in his “willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new.” Let’s be glad to leave old landmarks behind. The promise of “the ultimate harmony” should be enough to spur us on to search for, entertain, and respond to the Christ. (S20)

Section 5: Acknowledge Mind as the healing Principle with gratitude
[W. See a healed leper’s monologue by Ken Cooper at https://youtu.be/up833dMSHl4. ]

When Jesus healed the ten men of leprosy, it is reported that only one came back to give thanks to Jesus and praise to God for the healing. (B19) Presumably all ten were healed, but did they gain as much as this Samaritan who recognized the power of God’s mercy? It’s natural to be grateful for physical freedom, but we’re missing out on an important ingredient if we simply accept the healing and go on without stopping to acknowledge Mind as the source of all good and making a point of giving thanks and truly praising God’s goodness.

Especially important is to not fall into the trap of wondering if something would have worked out anyway — gotten better on its own. Mary Baker Eddy states, “There can be no healing except by this Mind, …” (S24) How important to remember that and be grateful for Mind’s omnipotence! We will be blessed (as the Samaritan no doubt was) by sticking to the “straight and narrow way” which is “to see and acknowledge” that “all that really exits is the divine Mind and its idea, and in this Mind the entire being is found harmonies and eternal.” As we “yield to this power, and follow the leadings of truth” healing is assured. (S26)

Section 6: Acknowledging one Mind reveals the brotherhood of man

Watching the division that seems so rampant throughout today’s world, who can argue that we have a responsibility, as students of Christian Science, to do what we can to behold the unifying influence of Mind? The sixth tenet asks us to “promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus;” and then there are the practical steps to take to demonstrate the attributes of Mind (i.e. following the Golden Rule, and being merciful, just, and pure.) (S32) Having the Mind of Christ must include acknowledging that there is only one Mind and that all reflect it.

Peter told Cornelius, a Roman gentile and a partial convert, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality …” (B21, NRSV) He corrected Cornelius’ false belief that Peter, as a person, was responsible for his salvation. Peter’s understanding of God’s universal love resulted from a series of visions. It may take devout prayer on our part (as it did for Peter) to understand that God’s man is not divided into race, nationality, gender, economic class, or political leaning. Jesus understood all of this because he thoroughly understood the oneness of God, and so the oneness of man. We can understand it, too — and see that all reflect this unified love.

We’re told to know ourselves and thus receive from God “the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil.” (S30) We must know ourselves (and others) as GOD knows us. But, also watch thought, guarding against the admission of any “imperfect models.” (S31) Starting and staying with ONE MIND, it can be a joy … and within our reach. The whole world will be blessed by our efforts!


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