Article April 12, 1969 Issue

You Can Develop Impartial Love

FRANCES L. GREIG

When we help somebody, having no desire to get something for ourselves, we express affection that is akin to universal, impartial love. It is not personal. We only want to give, expecting nothing in return. Christ Jesus said that the second greatest commandment is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Mark 12:31; It was impersonal, impartial love he was expressing when he healed the ear of the servant of the high priest before the crucifixion.

Human affection can be selfish, possessive, and dominating. Then it can become hate. Mrs. Eddy says of affection: "No word is more misconstrued; no sentiment less understood. The divine significance of Love is distorted into human qualities, which in their human abandon become jealousy and hate." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 250;

The love that approximates the divine is supremely unselfish, never dominating, demanding, or condemning. It always impels kindly thoughts, compassion in dealing with the faults of others. It is always thinking of giving, not of getting. The highest sense of love does not stress another's faults but magnifies the good each individual is expressing. It bears no grudge but forgives, and true forgiveness is never tainted with self-righteousness.

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April 12, 1969
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