Bread, Wine, and Oil

George Shaw Cook

Evidently thinking of the divine provision for human needs, the Psalmist wrote of God, "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart."

Before and since the foregoing words were written, there have been abundant proofs of the heavenly Father's loving provision for mankind. Through the ministration of Moses the children of Israel were fed with manna in the wilderness. It is recorded in the seventeenth chapter of I Kings that ravens brought the prophet Elijah "bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening," while he "dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan." And later, by reason of Elijah's faith, it was demonstrated to the little family at Zarephath that God was able to supply them with sustenance. Jesus proved for the multitude in the desert place the presence and availability of Love's infinite supply, when to human sense there seemed a lack of food. In our own time, Christian Scientists are demonstrating, in numberless instances, the truth of Mrs. Eddy's words (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 307), "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies."

As indicated in the above-quoted words, the primary need of mortals, in every instance, is to gain and to hold the understanding of the infinite, inexhaustible nature of Mind's ideas and of their present availability. Thus it becomes evident that the bread and wine which mortals most need consists of spiritual ideas. Writing of the Eucharist, on page 35 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says: "Our bread, 'which cometh down from heaven,' is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love."

It is through divine inspiration that we are able to discern the truth of being. Through inspiration we can gain the true spiritual meaning of the Scriptures. Through it is revealed to us the divine fact that ideas do not come to man from a remote source, separate from himself. Man is present with and inseparable from divine Mind, the only source of spiritual ideas. Man not only possesses these spiritual ideas by reflection, but is himself idea—"the compound idea of God, including all right ideas" (ibid., p. 475). It is through divine inspiration that we are able to understand the truth of John's words, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God."

Man, being spiritual and coexistent with God, divine Mind—eternally sustained and provided for by that Mind—is obviously not in need of material food. The understanding of this divine fact is that bread from heaven of which mortals in need of sustenance may partake. The Christ, Truth, destroys fear and provides adequately for human needs. And it is that to which Jesus referred when he said: "I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die."

Oil is one of the prime necessities in human experience. In this so-called machine age there are few commodities in greater demand. Oil, freely and wisely used as a lubricant, serves to eliminate friction, facilitate harmonious action, and prolong the period of a machine's usefulness. But it is in its spiritual sense that "oil" is found to be of greatest benefit to mankind. What mortals need in their daily human contacts is more of "the oil gladness." This "oil," which our Leader defines (ibid., p. 592) as "consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration," is a thing of which Christian Scientists have need to make constant use. The free application of this kind of oil eliminates mental friction and greatly facilitates harmonious co-operation among workers. Its abundant and persistent use by students of Christian Science is in the highest degree commendable.

Something of this sort is taught by the parable of the good Samaritan, who bound up the wounds of the one who had fallen among thieves, pouring in "oil and wine," thus proving himself a good neighbor. As the poet has said, doubtless with this parable in thought:

"One cup of healing oil and wine,
One offering laid on mercy's shrine,
Is thrice more grateful, Lord, to Thee,
Than lifted eye or bended knee."

George Shaw Cook

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