Article April 2, 1932 Issue

"But one thing is needful"

[Original article in German]

FRIEDRICH PRELLER

In civilized countries there has never been a lack of endeavor to ennoble human existence. As far back as history is recorded, we find this endeavor manifested in some degree in human organizations, in families, and in the individual himself; and this endeavor has been carried on sometimes with all available means. And yet, in spite of it all, poverty and distress still claim their right to existence. On page 344 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in speaking of "various methods of treating disease," Mrs. Eddy writes, "There is only one [method] which should be presented to the whole world, and that is the Christian Science which Jesus preached and practised and left to us as his rich legacy."

In Luke's Gospel we find the record of Jesus as guest of Mary and Martha; and it was to Martha that Jesus spoke the momentous words, "But one thing is needful." Thanks to Christian Science, we know that the words of Jesus are applicable to all men in all ages, and that in them the whole world can find healing.

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Martha, we read, was "careful and troubled about many things." She expected Jesus to support her in her supposed sisterly rights. The great Master did not do as she expected; but with tender words, words fraught with profound understanding, he reminded Martha to think of the one thing needful, and to forget her petty material troubles. This Martha-thought in its numerous forms represents anxious and troubled humanity. Through ignorance as to the real purport of life, its freedom and its joy, care and trouble are still honored with the name of duty, and the truly justified yearning of the heart, "not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life," is often pressed into the background.

Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his words. She had grasped the holy significance of that hour better than had Martha. And whatever may have been her care and trouble, she would not suffer one word out of the mouth of her guest to be lost. This right appreciation won for her the Master's commendation: "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." To-day this Mary-thought characterizes the way of thinking which the Christian Scientist acknowledges as the only way to win salvation for himself and for all mankind. Not that he makes light of Martha's care for physical and temporal needs, but, recognizing that fundamentally one thing only is needful, he is convinced of the truth of Jesus' assurance, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

On page 492 of Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy writes, "For right reasoning there should be but one fact before the thought, namely, spiritual existence." As the result of her understanding, our Leader offers us here "that good part," Mary's part, which we—in contradistinction to the material sense of existence—should choose. Why? Because she knew that spiritual existence, the "good part," is eternal and, as Jesus said of Mary, it "shall not be taken away from her." The glorious possibility to choose "that good part" which can never be taken away from us is to-day open to all mankind.

Here, in practical everyday experience, the uselessness of being troubled about a mistaken sense of material existence is confronted with the enduring value of a right understanding of spiritual existence. This right understanding is to-day bringing healing to innumerable students of Christian Science, and it is literally meeting their daily needs as well.

Limited human sense is everywhere testifying to lack, and the world looks upon this false testimony as true. But the earnest student of Christian Science is gratefully listening to the ever present Christ, Truth, even as Mary once did to Jesus' words. He entertains no fear; for his spiritual sense apprehends the meaning of Jesus' admonition, "But one thing is needful," and that thing is the true understanding of spiritual existence and its power to bless us now.

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