METAPHYSICAL MEETING, February 17, 2014
Contents
| - Topic | |
| - Call to the meeting | |
| - Readings | |
| - Participant contribution A | |
| - Participant contribution B | |
| - Participant contribution C |
Topic
Going forward with “nited spiritual consciousness”
Call to the meeting
Please join together on Monday, February 17th, for our next metaphysical meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the reading room. The meeting will also be available by phone/Skype.
The topic is: Going forward with "united spiritual consciousness." Paul writes to the Thessalonians, "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (I Thess. 5:6). Our Leader admonishes us to "daily watch and pray."
Please bring your inspiration of how we can daily watch and pray for our branch church as we go forward with a "united spiritual consciousness" (S&H 577:9). As part of your preparation, you may want to consult an article by L. Ivimy Gwalter, entitled "Spiritual Self-Completeness," in the May 8, 1948, Christian Science Sentinel.
Readings
Hymn 264, verse 2
The Bible:
Col. 4:2,5,6
I Thess. 4: 9 as
I Thess. 5: 5,6,11,13 be at peace,15-18 ever follow, 28
Science and Health:
576:8-14,21,31-4
577:9
Mis 154:16-155:14
Participant contribution A
Throughout the New Testament and especially in the epistles, the early Christians are admonished to care for one another, to beware of false teachers and not be led astray, and especially to love one another. These admonitions are as vital to us today as they were to the early Christians. As we move forward in our church activities, it seems vitally important to continue to cherish each other, to have respect to all opinions, and to proceed forward with that “divinely united spiritual consciousness.”
In Psalms we read “The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (KJV Psalms 34:11). So we can know that God’s wisdom is with us now, in this generation, available to us always to rely on and to trust. And as that same thought is expressed in another translation: “...the Lord’s plan stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken” (NLT Psalms 34:11 ).
In praying with the thought of the one divine Mind leading us and guiding us each step of the way, Mary Baker Eddy writes it this way, “When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He direct our path” (S&H 254:10-12).
“As the children of Israel were guided triumphantly through the Red Sea, the dark ebbing and flowing tides of human fear, — as they were led through the wilderness, walking wearily through the great desert of human hopes, and anticipating the promised joy, — so shall the spiritual idea guide all right desires in their passage from sense to Soul, from a material sense of existence to the spiritual, up to the glory prepared for them who love God” (S&H 566:1-9). Which of course reminds one of the Bible verse, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are th called according to his purpose” (KJV Romans 8:28).
Participant contribution B
The impact of a truly “united spiritual consciousness” among the members of our branch church would be stupendous! Yes, I know that we’re all headed in the same direction, but think of the implications. If no member had not even the tiniest doubt or fear about the representation of the purpose and mission of our church, our collective healing about church would be instantaneous. We would realize right now what we used to call at JPL “right sizing.” The physical manifestation of our church in this city would be exactly the right size for a growing, effective congregation that is demonstrating the teachings of Christian Science so that they are accepted and embraced by our community. We would have demonstrated the Church Universal and Triumphant.
This is a lofty goal, but we shouldn’t shy away from it. If we did, we would be effectively admitting that perfection can’t be achieved and disobeying Jesus’ demand to be as perfect as our Father in heaven, thereby limiting our healing ability. For a church that’s in the business of healing, we wouldn’t want to do that!
One person in recorded history, John the Evangelist, saw this state of perfection in Chapters 21 and 22 of Revelation. He saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, in all its splendor and glory. It isn’t too much for us to work toward that goal and see our branch church as demonstrating New Jerusalem, “Divine Science; the spiritual facts and harmony of the universe; the kingdom of heaven, or reign of harmony” (592:18 Divine). In fact, with New Jerusalem as our goal, it should be an eager and joyful experience. And, isn’t that what each individual healing is? One more step on the path toward the demonstration of perfection in all aspects of our lives, including church.
This brings up an important point. We aren’t “here” in our consciousness and church someplace “out there.” It can seem that way, since we do a lot of “going to church.” It’s like we have to close a physical gap between us and church, which we do every time we go to church. In actuality, the idea of church is part of our being. Each of us reflects completely the full idea of church, the full “structure of Truth and Love,” resting on divine Principle. Not only must each of us see himself as a complete reflection of church, but we also must see everybody else as expressing all of the ideas of church, where fear and doubt can’t enter. Doing this, we are acknowledging the “united spiritual consciousness” that truly exists in God’s kingdom. We are demonstrating spiritual self-completeness.
In Mrs. Eddy’s exegesis on Revelation 21:1, she says that John’s record of the new heaven and new earth is “Scriptural authority for concluding that such a recognition of being is, and has been, possible to men in this present state of existence, — that we can become conscious, here and now, of a cessation of death, sorrow, and pain” (573:23-27). We can become conscious right now of a beautifully designed and maintained church, an engaged membership, a participatory and fruitful congregation, and sufficient supply to present Christian Science to our community. This spiritual understanding of church already exists. It isn’t dependent on either time or process, but appears as unfolding spiritual progress.
Mrs. Eddy goes on to say, “Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus’ words, ‘The kingdom of God is within you.’ This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility” (573:29). What a wonderful promise!
Participant contribution C
We can write and speak lots of fine words on this subject. Elegant reasoning is impressive, it soothes the human mind, makes it less concerned, helps us to get up and go. And yet something more real can be realized. It’s the divine reality that exists independently of any human plans or worldly issues. It extends human faith to spiritual understanding of what is already spiritually true, of what is the divine reality of being.
The Gospel of John begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). That leaves nothing else operative. And so our church is the activity of divine Love unleashing care for its creation. Divine Love permeates our community with Life, interest, and attention, all reflecting the generous affection of Soul in fulfilling its goal of good. That’s what’s going on now around us; it’s not something we pray to bring about.
The one consciousness that is mind embraces us all, every one of our members. And God’s church isn’t limited to human membership. It’s the unique and all-active identity of Soul manifest eternally. It’s not in one place. It’s not one human individual, or two, or twenty, or two hundred. It’s illimitable Soul pursuing the perfection that is Principle, in place now.
We are all essential elements of the reflecting of Mind’s conscious Allness, the united thrust of good that never departs from Truth.
This is not being impractical. It’s not ignoring potential pitfalls. It’s not doing nothing about opposition within or without that may make the going tough. It’s not being ignorant of things we should have known about in order to make things work as they should.
Why? True practicality is the adoption of Principle by Mind itself in determining every step of unfoldment, a progress that proceeds and rests always in immortal, unending, and unerring Mind. No power can derail the thrust of Spirit because “Spirit is more than all else” (S&H 335:19-20). We cannot be ignorant of important facts because the omniscience of Mind includes all knowledge and rationale, everything that can be known.
We can’t be on the right track one day and not so on the next day. Good is another term for God, and it doesn’t come in various grades of good. Science and Health states: “The notion that evil and good are real is a delusion of material sense, which Science annihilates. Evil is nothing, no thing, mind, or power” (S&H 330:25-27). As Mind’s reflection, we can be aware of this every moment, every day, as we go along with “united spiritual consciousness.