Article November 2, 1946 Issue

"I entered into thine house"

EILEEN SHEILAH PEYTON

It is surely of deep importance that Mary Baker Eddy, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," opens the chapter entitled "Christian Science Practice" with the story of Mary Magdalene, as recounted in the seventh chapter of Luke's Gospel. She dwells at some length on its significance in the healing ministry of the Christ, and then asks Christian Scientists to answer a solemn question by comparing the attitudes of mind governing the two characters in this moving story—Simon and Mary Magdalene—and to decide whether in their individual approach to Truth their motives are similar to those of the Pharisee or the Magdalen.

Pondering the spiritual significance of this inquiry, one realizes that the same question was placed before Simon by the Master. And the answer was indicated in Jesus' penetrating analysis of the mentality which had accorded him an ungenerous welcome in Simon's home.

"I entered into thine house," said the Master, addressing the unspoken questioning in the thought of his host. Then, with spiritual insight, he indicated three states of thought which Simon had failed to express, and which are necessary in order to welcome the Christ-presence. "Thou gavest me no water for my feet," the Master pointed out. The baptism of repentance had not taken place and there was no room in Simon's thought for the Christ to rest. Purification, that letting go of material sense and self which makes room for the heavenly visitant, had not begun.

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