Article February 3, 1923 Issue

Reflected Love

CARLINA M. BINNIE

IN "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 572) Mrs. Eddy writes: "'Love one another' (I John, iii. 23), is the most simple and profound counsel of the inspired writer. In Science we are children of God; but whatever is of material sense, or mortal, belongs not to His children, for materiality is the inverted image of spirituality." Selfless love is gained through the discernment of man as the image and likeness of God, infinite Mind, forever existing as an eternal idea in the divine order of existence and knowing no such thing as sinning, suffering sense. The Christian Scientist who is winning the vision of the universe of Spirit, through the persistent denial of what he knows to be a false material concept of creation, is indeed bringing to weary mortals the tender solace of Soul. To him the allness of God is becoming a living reality, "the sword of the Spirit," wherewith he demonstrates the nothingness of error. The light of clear spiritual understanding penetrates the mist of matter, dispels the illusion of the senses, and enthrones on high the pure and perfect Christ understanding.

The attainment of a higher standard of living and thinking, resulting in the more spontaneous healing of sin and sickness through the power of prayer, is the goal of every sincere Christian Scientist. This healing does not consist of putting new wine into old bottles,—trying to spiritualize matter, or to make whole a condition which has never existed in or of God and is consequently without life or substance. The universe of God's creating stands, here and now, the forever reflection of infinite Love, bearing witness always to the power and presence of the one Mind. The discernment of this simple spiritual fact will enable mankind to give up the delusion of believing in an existence apart from that of Spirit, which can be discordant or in need of healing. Mankind should turn from the loneliness of the struggling human senses to the spiritual inspiration of the Christ, Truth, to be lived and loved, whereby is found the gentle fulfillment of the Master's promise, "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Since love is the only pathway to the practical recognition and realization of man's true relationship to his Maker, let us ask ourselves if we are loving as Jesus loved. Do we seek with joy and thanksgiving the unfoldment of the Christ idea to human apprehension, or do we coldly criticize our neighbor's efforts, condemn his mistakes, and personalize the seeming error? Personal condemnation is a direct denial of the divine origin and identity of true manhood and comes with the indulgence of a personal sense of likes and dislikes for persons and events. Thus, in condemning our brother we condemn ourselves and close our own gate to heaven. Unless we are reflecting love to all around us, we can scarcely have touched the hem of the garment of Christ; we do not yet know Love. Until we ourselves have realized in some degree the tender compassion of the divine presence, we lack the inspiration to help our brother. Our Leader has bidden the Christian Science practitioner reveal to his patient "a priceless sense of the dear Father's loving-kindness" (Science and Health, p. 366). Yet, can he who does not know this sense reveal it unto others?

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