Article June 16, 1986 Issue

Our "second mile" to peace—unselfed love

FREDA SPERLING BENSON

In the final analysis, peace is a spiritual fact. God, who is all-inclusive good, has provided the harmony of absolute goodness as the invariable condition of all that really is. Before the world began and forever, all that exists in God's universe is at peace. This is the revelation of Christian Science to a world hungry for permanent peace.

We do have to admit, however, that we don't see much of this reality in our present experience. Instead of being dismayed and wondering why, we would do better to get busy seeing how we can bring out more of this real peace.

To begin with, it seems evident that our prayers for peace need to have a deeper spirituality, a purer love in order to be more effective. They must originate in a spirit or attitude of thought that is willing to go the "second mile" our Master, Christ Jesus, mentioned when he said: "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." Matt. 5:41, 42. This "second mile" is characterized by unconditional giving—a more merciful love, a more willing sacrifice of personal criticism, a larger sense of good in others. Like the good Samaritan in Jesus' parable, we would minister to the outcast, not just by physical means but by loving him as God does. This means turning from indifference or rigid opinions of others to appreciation of whatever good we can find. It means letting go of self-righteousness and self-satisfaction and replacing these with the honesty of unselfed love. This is our "second mile" to peace.

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