How Significant It Would Be for anyone to get past the first segment of a local or national news broadcast, or the front page of most any newspaper, without encountering some reference to death. Murders and accidents grab headlines. Wars and epidemics take their toll in human lives. Terrorism looms. Prominent figures pass away. Suicide is a growing problem in many countries. Talk of death and dying in a myriad of forms is a staple of the information age, as it has no doubt been throughout history.

It's proverbial that those who walk this earth can't avoid confronting death. Yet there's a danger in becoming complacent about death's vaunted inevitability—or ultimate reality. Rather than giving death the final word, the Bible calls it "the last enemy that shall be destroyed" (I Cor. 15:26). The cumulative effect of our focus on mortality only delays this destruction, while undermining our progress and happiness today, and rendering us less useful in helping and healing ourselves and the world.

The Christian Science approach to understanding death is unique and practical among theological teachings. And it very much underpins the Sentinel's mission and message. This approach requires an ongoing response to the constant barrage of daily death-news, challenging its authenticity—confronting and, through prayer, reversing the thoughts associated with death, gradually rejecting the face-value evidence that all life must end. This evidence is ultimately a representation of false beliefs, not true facts. "Suffering, sinning, dying beliefs are unreal," wrote Mary Baker Eddy. "When divine Science is universally understood, they will have no power over man, for man is immortal and lives by divine authority" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 76).

The recognition of this may be very much a step-by-step development for most of us. And even just beginning to push back on death's finality may seem like a hopelessly tall order, given the unrelenting and sometimes overwhelming signs of mortality. But there is not a man, woman, or child on earth who won't be helped by each individual effort. Furthermore, it is in keeping with the teaching of Jesus Christ, who said, "If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death" (John 8:51). Centered squarely in his teaching, Christian Science takes those words to heart, and promises that as world citizens and healers we can resolve not to "see"—perceive—existence as doomed and mortal.

It's not too much to ask that we fulfill all four commands of Jesus to his followers, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils" (Matt. 10:8). Could anyone argue that Jesus' example of raising the dead, and facing death himself once and for all in his resurrection and ascension, promises that death is illusive, not final? Subjective, not supreme? Something to reject instead of accept?

Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science in 1866, and established the Sentinel in 1898 "to hold guard over Truth, Life, and Love" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 353). Those names are among the synonyms she used to describe God Himself. God is Life itself. When you read this magazine, you join in recognizing humanity's troubles and needs, and seeing them in the light of Life's rejuvenating power—to the end that you and others are mutually blessed.

In the course of the day, it may be helpful to devote particular attention to detecting the subtler ways in which death-thoughts come to us for acceptance. These might include:

• Mourning the "end of an era"

• Accepting as normal the statement "I can't do what I used to"

• Agreeing that war takes its toll and is beyond the reach of prayer

• Unconsciously ignoring news reports of accidents and fatalities

• Feeling helpless about a life apparently cut short

• Regretting lost opportunities

The practical results of detecting and reversing thoughts of death include a growing conviction that since Life is eternal, and we are the direct reflection of Life, we have a scientific means for rejecting as unGodlike, and thus illegitimate, the evidence of unavoidable death—the killing, grief, mourning, aging, declining health, mortal fear, war, spiraling depression, suicide, terminal illness. It seems fearsome and overwhelming. But every effort to identify it as representing the Antichrist—one lie contradicting God's all-power and claiming we are mortal beings in a doomed existence—helps point humanity in a new direction.

We can expect to be led out of death and into Life. Into holier, life-saving perspectives that must necessarily promote regeneration and healing here and now, at home and abroad.

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