"We shall see him as he is"
Students of Christian Science early learn the truth of their beloved Leader's declaration in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 225), "Love is the liberator;" but it often becomes necessary to seek a deeper understanding of the inspiring statement of John, "God is love." Recently a student gained a clearer understanding of Love from the study of the parable of the prodigal son. At all times the first part of the parable had been appreciated: the decision to leave the father's house; the journey into the "far country;" the spending of his all in the mazes of materiality and sin, followed by famine; the coming to himself; the arising and going to the father; the love which saw him while "yet a great way off" and ran to meet him,—often these had blessed and comforted. Many times the younger son's awakening had called this student to arise and go to the Father; and always had those returning footsteps found the same loving welcome.
A closer study of the father's dealing with the elder son, however, has revealed still more of the true relationship between God and His child. The wonderful words, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine," were addressed to one who at the time was allowing himself to be the victim of anger, jealousy, and self-righteousness, three of the ugliest phases of human belief. Nevertheless, the father replied with that tender word "son," instantly recognizing the only true relationship, untouched by what seemed to be expressed. "Thou art ever with me,"—the real, faithful, loving self was always with the Father, always in His presence, never separated or divided from Him, but ever abiding in His love. "All that I have is thine,"—all the intelligence, all the wisdom, all the joy. This declaration unfolds the fact of spiritual being and the impossibility of anything else; indeed, a full statement of the relation of God and man is here. It is a profound declaration of Truth.
This parable further portrays the impartiality of the Father's love. The younger son, deliberately choosing to leave his father's house to experiment with the beliefs of sinful sense, might be adversely judged by the worldly onlooker; while the other, remaining at home and serving his father, might be kept clear of censure. Both of these phases, however, are but different beliefs, unknown to the father, to whom each was ever and always "son." How secure and safe we feel, how happy in such a sense of the Father's love! How it dries the tear with the tender assurance that only the real is true, until a song sings in our erstwhile heavy heart, and in humble gratitude we say in the beautiful words of Mrs. Eddy, to be found on page 13 of her Poems:—
"My prayer, some daily good to do
To Thine, for Thee;
An offering pure of Love, whereto
God leadeth me."
But we often forget to maintain this impartial love to one another. Christ Jesus said, "If ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them." Perhaps our own heart is sad because a loved one has apparently left the Father's house, ensnared by the siren call of an easier road, a quicker climbing up by some other way. Let us be tenderly patient with such a one, knowing the certainty of his return, never doubting, lest thereby we fail to detect the first returning footsteps, while "yet a great way off," and lest any shadow of vain regret fall upon that homecoming heart. Or it may be our elder brother, whom we have never understood, who needs to be enfolded in this all-inclusive love. How stupidly slow we sometimes are in our well-meant efforts to obey the words of the beloved disciple, "Beloved, let us love one another"!
When will mankind cease from the self-imposed task of judging, and, when obliged to take cognizance of what seems to be wrong, learn to draw the mantle of charity and mercy around the brother, rather than expose him to the chilling winds of criticism and condemnation? Do not we ourselves each long for surcease from these cruel blasts? Then let us remember to leave unsaid the condemning word; let us leave unthought the unforgiving estimate. Let us see as God sees, being too pure to behold iniquity; and let us fear not that this will blind us to the recognition of evil and thus subject us to its influence. The reverse will be the effect; for only as we see and know the true, can we recognize the false and separate it from man in our thinking.
Looking still closer at the younger son,—the youth who "was dead, and is alive again,"—we trace his true repentance in the voluntary recognition that he had forfeited the right to sonship, and but for his father's unfailing love could expect no greater acceptance than that of one who is a hired servant. But the desire to serve was born of humility. And, accordingly, not only did his father's unfaltering love reinstate him, but a ring was placed upon his hand, thereby sealing his redemption, and the robe of righteousness was put upon his shoulders. What perfection of forgiveness, instant, unfailing, with no hint of remembering the errors of either son! No time was necessary for this forgiveness, this forgetting which resulted from the consciousness of the reality of the true son, and the illusory nature of any other!
Christian Science brings to all its students priceless lessons in these Bible experiences, the deeper meanings of which elucidate the perplexities of human situations, teaching the allness of God's love. Each of us can reflect that love in abundant measure; and how great is the promise following our obedient acceptance of this may be seen from Mrs. Eddy's words in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 145), "When the hearts of Christian Scientists are woven together as are their names in the web of history, earth will float majestically heaven's heraldry, and echo the song of angels: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
