In the opening pages of the chapter “Christian Science Practice” in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy tells us that we should seek Christ “like Mary Magdalene, from the summit of devout consecration, with the oil of gladness and the perfume of gratitude, with tears of repentance and with those hairs all numbered by the Father” (p. 367).

While recent Bible scholarship concludes that the Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil, washed them with her tears, and dried them with her hair was not the Magdalene, I’ve found the woman’s approach very helpful. The qualities she expressed can further the spiritual growth that leads to healing for anyone. They don’t comprise a formula for healing, but an attitude of grace and repentance is a theme running through many healings I’ve had, from broken bones to financial challenges.

Several years ago, I noticed a growth near my eye. It was embarrassing but not painful, so I didn’t give it too much thought or devote much prayer to it. But when it became painful, I started praying more deeply about it. On a car trip of over three hours, I listened to that week’s Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly several times. At one point when I looked in the rear-view mirror, I noticed that the growth had changed color, and it remained painful. This made me fearful.