Article July 21, 1934 Issue

"A great supper"

A. LINCOLN ROTHBLUM

In the fourteenth chapter of Luke is recorded one of Jesus' parables, which tells of a certain man who had prepared "a great supper" to which he had invited many guests. At the appointed time he sent his servant to them who were bidden, to announce that all was in readiness. Instead of according the invitation their immediate and grateful acceptance, however, they began to make excuses and to explain why they could not accept it. One had purchased a parcel of land and wished to examine it. Another had bought some cattle and must needs approve them. Thus by their absence they were depriving themselves of the feast that was in preparation for them. Under the marginal heading "Reluctant guests," Mrs. Eddy states in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 130): "When all men are bidden to the feast, the excuses come. One has a farm, another has merchandise, and therefore they cannot accept."

Our Leader incorporated in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. XXVI, Sect. 6) the following By-Law: "The associations of the pupils of loyal teachers shall convene annually." The invitation to "a great supper" offered by Christian Science thus includes the annual meetings of Pupils' Associations. And Association members do well to entertain no trivial excuses for being absent at the appointed hour. This spiritual feast possesses an ever renewing, joyous appeal for the members, and no counterattraction should be given power to outweigh God-directed attendance at a meeting of such importance. Whatever would attempt to thwart spiritually guided attendance should be recognized and overcome as a vacuous effort of error to separate the Christian Scientist from good.

The excuses can be set aside by forward provision wisely anticipated, for the fervent desire to obey our Leader's By-Law in the Manual on this subject is spiritual animus and leads to right ways and means for carrying it out. The various excuses may be met by knowing that our real responsibility is to "the household of God," by realizing that the child of God is ever spiritually clad in garments of gratitude, joy, and humility. An excuse of personal sense relative to teacher, one elected to conduct the meeting, or any member, can be excluded from consciousness by knowing that all are "knit together in love." No excuse formulated by material sense should be permitted to defraud the student of the spiritual blessing to be derived by attendance and by consideration of the topics presented.

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