Article December 13, 1952 Issue

OBLATION AND OBLIGATION

DOROTHY PRICE

The words oblation and obligation have interesting definitions. "Oblation" one dictionary declares to be "anything offered or presented in worship or sacred service; an offering; a sacrifice." And "obligation" is variously defined: "The binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow. ... State of being indebted for an act of favor. ... A bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment."

As the student of Christian Science prayerfully considers these definitions, the realization unfolds that true oblation is worship of and love for God and that he fulfills his obligation to God and his fellow men by living the truths he understandingly affirms concerning God and His perfect spiritual reflection, man. The declaration and understanding of spiritual truth has for the student of Christian Science "the binding power of a ... vow," for inseparable from the declaration is the necessity of demonstrating it in his human experience. Thus does he obey the two great commandments of the Master (Mark 12:30, 31): "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength," and, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Consideration of sacrifice as an aspect of oblation recalls that in certain countries where superstition throve in the darkness of ignorance and fear, at one time human life was frequently sacrificed in the belief that such sacrifice would avert afflictions and penalties and appease a cruel god. Progressive enlightenment has practically abolished such heathen practice. However, Christian Science shows that the conviction of a heavenly father's willingness to exchange the death of His beloved Son for universal salvation is an equally superstitious belief.

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