Editorial October 21, 1950 Issue

"OUR DUTY TO DO"

Helen Wood Bauman

In the seventeenth chapter of Luke's Gospel a parable is recorded which at first reading may appear harsh. In it Christ Jesus describes a servant who, after plowing and feeding cattle, comes in from the field. Instead of sitting down to meat, he is required first to prepare his master's supper and serve him. Jesus sums up the lesson thus: "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."

It is evident to one who accepts the teachings of Christian Science that God is under no obligation to mortals, for in the light of revealed Truth man is spiritual and immortal, and mortals represent only the carnal mind's misconception of man. It is the obligation of the so-called human mind to put off mortality and thus reconcile mankind to God and to the truth of man's eternal perfection. God provides constant opportunity for this. His goodness is infinite, and His justice lies in the fact that all may attain, through the demonstration of Science, equal and complete freedom from the wicked grasp of corporeal sense. But there is no room for cessation of labor in this direction. The reward of spiritual devotion is the joy of entering the kingdom of heaven, divine perfection, and no greater reward can be desired.

The Master had just admonished his disciples to withstand offenses, but never to offend; and they were to forgive endlessly. He had encouraged them also to increase their faith. Perhaps his parable, which followed this Christly counsel, was intended to show them that they must not expect to rest from the struggle for freedom from error until evil was fully proved unreal. Spiritual labor itself becomes the compensation for consecration to Truth. One task well done leads to another. Progress never comes to an end, since spiritual activity increases and expands infinitely. Vigor of thought develops with constant spiritual use.

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