Article February 28, 1948 ISSUE

CALM REFLECTION

DORIS M. SMITH

In the first chapter of Genesis we read (verse 26), "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." In our study of Christian Science, when speaking of man, we are constantly using the two words "image" and "likeness." Mary Baker Eddy gives us another word, "reflection." On page 471 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes, "Man is, and forever has been, God's reflection."

This word "reflection," as used in Christian Science, has always been a great help to me. It enables me to get a better understanding of the inseparable unity of God and man. Pondering this eternal unity, I see clearly that man can reflect, or express, only the nature of God, the qualities and attributes of Life, Truth, Love, Spirit, Soul, Mind, Principle—nothing else. It is impossible for man to reflect or express anything which does not belong to the nature of God. For example: God is Love. Therefore as Love's reflection, man reflects or expresses love, compassion, tenderness. Man cannot reflect hate, cruelty, or revenge, because these are not of God, Love. God is Principle. Thus as Principle's reflection, man reflects or expresses law, order, justice. Man cannot reflect lawlessness, disorder, and injustice, because these are no part of God, Principle. God is Truth. So as Truth's reflection, man reflects or expresses truthfulness, honesty, integrity. Man cannot reflect falsity, dishonesty, and deceit, because these do not exist in God, Truth.

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