Editorial July 13, 1929 Issue

Spiritual Communion

Duncan Sinclair

In accordance with the Church Manual (Art. XVIII, Sect. 1) the Communion season is no longer observed in The Mother Church; but under Section 2, Communion is observed in all branch churches of The Mother Church twice yearly, on the second Sunday in January and July.

Communion as it is celebrated in these branch churches is of an entirely spiritual nature. Material bread and wine are not in evidence at this service. There has been substituted for these an understanding of that which they symbolize; and as a result the service becomes spiritually exalted, in a degree proportionate to the spiritual understanding of the participants. Thus the Eucharist which the Christian Scientist celebrates is spiritual communion with God. Mrs. Eddy writes of it on page 35 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread, 'which cometh down from heaven,' is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers."

From the words just quoted it will be seen how necessary it is that Christian Scientists should prepare themselves for this communion. They will naturally make clear to themselves of what it consists. They will have before them the truth about God, His omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience; they will remember man's indissoluble unity with God, as idea with Principle, and that they are striving through prayer and consecrated living to demonstrate this spiritual unity, thus demonstrating better morals, greater happiness, and more reliable health. They will endeavor to see that the "bread" which supports all true being is Truth; and they will recollect how this understanding has supported them and healed them of sickness and sorrow, and that the truth which Christian Science reveals is ever with them to bless them—to wipe away the tear, to destroy pain, to heal disease. Yes, they will remember that the "bread from heaven" is indeed the life-giving, life-restoring Truth.

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