Article January 2, 1909 Issue

BREAKING BREAD

W. J. MARTINE.

In the 24th chapter of Luke we read: "And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." From a material standpoint mortals have but a faint conception of the spiritual significance of the words, "he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them." From a human view-point it was the bread of the every-day meal, but from a spiritually scientific point of view it was the revelation of the healing truth which Jesus made clear to his students.

In many instances he brake bread and blessed it, prior to some particular revelation of the truth, as when he uncovered the Judas among them, or when he revealed himself after the crucifixion, and again when he fed the multitude. He thus prepared and made receptive the thought of those to whom he was to speak or to perform his miracles. This breaking was the awakening of the slumbering senses of his hearers. When the awakening came they understood his words and deeds, and were uplifted to higher joys of Truth and Love, which showed them the lifting up of the everlasting doors, that the "King of glory" might enter in.

Two of Jesus' students, on their way to Emmaus, with bowed heads and sorrow of heart, reasoned together of the things he had taught them, the ofttimes prophesied appearing of the holy Comforter, the Teacher of the law of salvation; but their Master's interpretation caused their hearts to burn within them, which showed their sincere desire to know God. This was "the fervent heat of Truth and Love" (Science and Health, p. 565) kindled in their consciousness, consuming the errors of sense, the accretions of materiality from contact with the world. The forsaking of old landmarks of creed and dogma for a demonstrable worship was necessary in order that they might do the works and follow in the footsteps of Christ. On the way to Emmaus Jesus expounded the Scriptures concerning himself, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, but they knew him not. When, however, he accepted their hospitality, and went to sup with them, his breaking of bread and his gift of it to the disciples opened their eyes so that they recognized him, and he then disappeared from their sight. It seemed as if the spiritual uplift was so great that their human sense could not retain it for long, and it disappeared from their comprehension. As Christ, Truth, breaks and blesses the true bread to us to-day, then do we recognize God as Truth and Love; but the Comforter may disappear to our consciousness, because we have not grown enough to retain the divine presence. To the pure in heart, however, He will return, and find lodgment, and abide as the everlasting Comforter,—"the Prince of Peace," "the bread of life;" eaten and assimilated. To partake of the "bread of life," the Word of God, we must be in a receptive frame of mind; and to assimilate it we must be willing to study the letter with sincere desire for righteousness. Through this process we become conscious of the presence and power of the one Mind. The burning of the heart is born of a sincere desire for the Mind that was in Christ Jesus. Through it is the shell of materiality consumed and spirituality takes its rightful place in the receptive heart.

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