IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON October 25, 2010 Issue

HOW EVIL DESTROYS ITSELF

MICHAEL HAMILTON

THIS WEEK'S Bible Lesson, titled "Everlasting Punishment," shows how the generosity and benevolence of God are reflected in hospitality and kindness. Wickedness and selfishness are destroyed by God's goodness as humanity is redeemed from sin and sickness.

The Lesson is built around four Bible narratives. Its key note is from Isaiah: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (55:7, Golden Text). The New Living Translation renders it: "Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously."

The Responsive Reading from Luke 7 illustrates those promises. Offering a hospitable welcome to guests was very important in both the Old and New Testaments; here, Jesus takes the question of hospitality to a new level, highlighting its spiritual dimension and blessing the one who has truly shown it to him. In the final verses of this Responsive Reading, Jesus actually takes on the role of the host, acknowledging the efficacy of a woman's repentance and blessing her as she departs. The woman has traditionally been identified with Mary Magdalene, but is unnamed in the narrative.