Article November 8, 1982 Issue

Love's consciousness

BARBARA E. LESTER

How do you feel when you encounter someone strikingly different from yourself? Critical or loving? That depends on what you are holding in thought concerning man, what you are accepting as real about him.

While praying for a clearer understanding of God and man, I was led to ponder the term "consciousness." In Christian Science one is taught to hold in consciousness the good and perfect man God has created. This true concept of man enables one to feel a Christly compassion for mankind, regardless of others' race, background, manner of dress, or life style.

Sometimes Jesus was rebuked for being in the company of people thought to be undesirable. His own disciples were dismayed at times. We have the account of Jesus' encounter with the woman at Jacob's well. See John 4:5-42 . She was a Samaritan, belonging to a people considered by the Jews to be second-class citizens. She was also obviously immoral, living with a man who was not her husband. And yet we read of Jesus' profoundly loving gift to this woman—the gift of life eternal, the cup of cold water that could quench her thirst, fulfill her, forever.

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