Article September 24, 1979 Issue

Gaining our at-one-ment with God

JEANNE STEELY LAITNER

Early in October each year the Jewish world celebrates its most solemn feast day, Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement. Interestingly enough, about this same time, Christian Scientists study the Bible Lesson ^{ In the Christian Science Quarterly;} entitled "Doctrine of Atonement." Since the days of Moses, religious thinkers have underlined the importance of humanity's reconciliation with God and of the possibility of our at-one-ment with Him.

Christ Jesus frequently spoke of his oneness with God. He said, "I and my Father are one."^{ John 10:30;} And in his farewell prayer for his followers, Jesus prayed, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."^ 17:21;

Mosaic law instituted the yearly Day of Atonement and outlined its observance. At no other time did the high priest, dressed in linen garments, enter the innermost part of the temple, the Holy of Holies. For atonement the high priest sacrificed a young bullock and a goat as sin offerings. Their blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat. A second goat was chosen to be the "scapegoat"; and after the sins of the people were confessed over it, it was sent out into the wilderness—taking the sins of the people with it. For the actively religious, this symbolic ritual meant a drawing closer to God through regeneration and increased devoutness.

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