MAN REFLECTS DIVINE LOVE

MARGARET L. MCCONNELL

Christ Jesus taught mankind the requisites for right living, which can all be summed up in one word—love. His life among men was one of loving service, healing the sick and the sinning and comforting the sorrowing. How loving were his very commands! One of these reads (John 15:12), "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." He reiterated this command, saying (verse 17), "These things I command you, that ye love one another."

Students of Christian Science learn that man, God's idea, naturally reflects divine Love, because he is created in the image of God, perfect Love. When, through spiritual growth, we express more fully the qualities of kindness, forbearance, thoughtfulness, gentleness, peace, and brotherliness, we realize that God's love is being perfected in us. Hate and distrust dissolve and disappear when men's hearts are open to receive love and are ready also to give it.

Divine Love is the Principle of Christian Science, and to make Love practical in our lives is daily to express love for all mankind in accordance with Christ Jesus' commands. This is not always easy to do as we come in contact with those who differ from us in background and experience.

Under the marginal heading "Principle and practice" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 113): "The letter of Science plentifully reaches humanity to-day, but its spirit comes only in small degrees. The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love. Without this, the letter is but the dead body of Science,— pulseless, cold, inanimate."

In determining whether or not we are actually expressing love for our brother, we might ask ourselves, "Am I seeing him as he really is, as God's spiritual likeness, or am I visualizing a discordant mortal?" We do well to heed the Psalmist's words (Ps. 101:4), "I will not know a wicked person."

Students of Christian Science have been taught the truth that man can only know his brother as divine Love's reflection, since God has not created anything unlike Himself. They know, then, that if their thought is obstructed by what mortal mind beholds, they are not reflecting divine Love.

One way to measure our growing expression of love is to obey the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31), "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." When we have unselfed love in our hearts, unwarranted and unkind criticism gives way to helpfulness, and personal domination disappears, for we recognize God as the Principle or cause of the entire universe. Thus joy comes to each dwelling place, whether it is called home, school, or business office.

The workmanship in a manufacturing plant improves when divine Love impels a greater sense of courtesy and consideration. The true brotherliness and spiritual love expressed by a church membership bless the entire community and attract to the church increasing numbers of newcomers. Unselfed love which recognizes spiritual qualities in others makes for true friendship and companionship.

We sometimes deceive ourselves into believing that we love God, although we are not truly loving our brother. Mrs. Eddy tells us this is impossible. On page 12 of "Miscellaneous Writings" she says, "We should measure our love for God by our love for man; and our sense of Science will be measured by our obedience to God,—fulfilling the law of Love, doing good to all; imparting, so far as we reflect them, Truth, Life, and Love to all within the radius of our atmosphere of thought."

John, the disciple, reminds us (I John 4:20), "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

There are various links in the chain of genuine happiness, one of which is service to our fellow men. Each unselfed thought, word, and deed has its inspiration in Love.

Wherever we are, we shall find others who need our love, and the cup of loving-kindness we extend to them will also refresh us. How grateful we are that the more our lives become enriched through loving, the more we are reflecting divine Love and thus are demonstrating Christian Science! The words of a loved hymn read (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 217),

Then, brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother,
For where love dwells, the peace of God is there:
To worship rightly is to love each other;
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.

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