Article March 29, 1947 Issue

Light, More Light

JESSIE B. MOTTEN

From the first chapter of Genesis, in which light appears at God's command, to the description in Revelation of the New Jerusalem, which "had no need of the sun ... for the glory of God did lighten it" (Rev. 21:23), the Bible abounds in references to light as a symbol of spiritual understanding and inspiration. The deep significance of this spiritual understanding appears in the constant demand of mankind for light, more light. This demand has found expression humanly in better lighted cities and dwellings, but the fundamental need is always for spiritual enlightenment, spiritual understanding, for this alone can dispel the darkness of fear and lift burdens from the human heart.

It is interesting to note that the word "light" as a noun has the significance of "illumination" and as an adjective "lacking weight." The two definitions are brought very close together in Christian Science, for in proportion as the light of spiritual vision dispels the gloom and heaviness of mortal mind's thinking, there appear the buoyancy and joy of immortal Mind, unhampered by materiality. Likewise, to those who turn to Christian Science for release from human burdens there comes a blessed spiritual illumination. The common epithet "lighthearted" is no idle word.

This twofold characteristic of spiritual enlightenment is readily understood through the teaching of Christian Science, namely, that God is Spirit and God is All. This renders it impossible for matter to occupy any place in God's universe, the only universe that actually is. Moreover, since God alone is Mind, in which goodness and perfection reign, there is no possibility of an opposite or so-called mortal mind. The beautiful statement of John (I John 1:5) that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" definitely points to God as the source of all wisdom, power, and inspiration, and brings the assurance that in changeless Love there is a spiritual abiding place for man where earth weights are unknown.

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