Resurrection: Spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding. (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy 593: 9)
We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.
And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure. (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy 497: 20-27)
Every Wednesday at 6.15pm a Testimony Meeting is held at the Christian Science church in Canberra (corner of Macquarie and Bligh Streets, Barton). At these meetings short readings on a particular topic are followed by time for members of the congregation to share how they have been helped and healed through prayer.
Everyone is welcome. If you are in Canberra on any Wednesday, please join us.
This recording is of Wednesday Testimony Meeting Readings on the Easter Story.
The true meaning of Easter is wondrous! Its message promises such blessings to each one of us and to our world. To hide it behind bunnies and eggs, secularism and skepticism, is heart breaking.
Jesus was crucified by the materialistic world’s hatred of his divinity. His grace and power to bring peace and healing to the world was unsurpassed and something human power could not control. It tried to silence his holy message by crucifying him. But how he reacted to such evil intent was an example to us all. He responded with the lovingkindness, calmness and confidence that could only come from the deepest understanding that evil cannot conquer goodness any more than the darkness can conquer the light.
For three days it seemed like evil had won. Then, when even the disciples had given up hope, Jesus emerged from the tomb alive.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Christian Science church, described this surprising re-appearance, when she said, ‘The lonely precincts of the tomb gave Jesus a refuge from his foes, a place in which to solve the great problems of being… He proved Life to be deathless and Love to be the master of hate.’
In the resurrection, Jesus proved that there is life beyond what we see, like someone journeying on after they have sailed out of our sight. I think of it like writing a sum on a page, say 2+2=4. If we destroy the page, is the truth that sum represents also destroyed, or is it eternally true and untouched? Jesus showed us that each one of us has just such an eternally true identity, something that the outward appearance only hints at, something that never dies. What a glorious message.
He also showed that to react with love instead of hate or anger, disempowers evil. This love, however, is more than human love or kindness. It is a love that has its source in God, a God that the Bible tells us is Love itself. Hatred and evil, being a lack of love, can no more stand in the face of divine Love than the darkest night can stand in the presence of the light of the dawn. Not reacting stops evil from spreading. That’s why Jesus counteracted the old thought of ‘eye for an eye’ with ‘turn the other cheek’ – don’t ever react to evil, stop it in its tracks. Is this not a message the world needs to remember and live by much more consistently? Is this not a message that could bring peace to our world? Is this not the ‘Golden Rule’ – ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’?
The true meaning of Easter is of the utmost importance to our own lives and to the world. If we remember it in our hearts and live it in our lives, then that precious sacrifice made by Jesus is not lost but is still as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.
This article was contributed by Beth Packer, a practitioner of Christian Science healing, listed in the world-wide Journal of healers and member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.
Please join us at 10.00 am on Easer Sunday at the corner of Macquarie and Bligh Streets, Barton in Canberra.
Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, — these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute individually and collectively true happiness, strength, and permanence. (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p58: 7)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. … and the God of peace shall be with you. (The Bible – Philippians 4: 8, 9)
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (The Bible – I Corinthians 13: 4-8)
Love fulfils the law of Christian Science, … (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p572: 12)
Every Wednesday at 6.15pm a Testimony Meeting is held at the Christian Science church in Canberra (corner of Macquarie and Bligh Streets, Barton). At these meetings short readings on a particular topic are followed by time for members of the congregation to share how they have been helped and healed through prayer.
Everyone is welcome. If you are in Canberra on any Wednesday, please join us.
This is a recording of the Wednesday readings on the topic: Love Thy Neighbour.
… your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (The Bible – I Corinthians 2: 5)
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The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God, — a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love. (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p1: 1-4)
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Every Wednesday at 6.15pm a Testimony Meeting is held at the Christian Science church in Canberra (corner of Macquarie and Bligh Streets, Barton). At these meetings short readings on a particular topic are followed by time for members of the congregation to share how they have been helped and healed through prayer.
Everyone is welcome. If you are in Canberra on any Wednesday, please join us.
This is a recording of the Wednesday readings on the topic: The Faith That Heals.
Every Wednesday at 6.15 pm a Testimony Meeting is held at the Christian Science church in Barton (corner of Macquarie and Bligh Streets). At these meetings short readings on a particular topic are followed by time for members of the congregation to share how they have been helped and healed through prayer.
Everyone is welcome. If you are in Canberra on any Wednesday, please join us.
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The Bible – Proverbs 4: 5-7Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
This is a recording of the Wednesday readings on the topic: The Getting of Wisdom.
This recording is of the readings on the topic: My Shepherd is Beside Me, and Nothing Can I Lack, which formed part of the Testimony Meeting in Canberra. Citations were taken from the Bible (King James Version) and the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
The title of readings is taken from a line in hymn 148 from the Christian Science Hymnal:
Wherever He may guide me, / No want shall turn me back; / My Shepherd is beside me, / And nothing can I lack. / His wisdom ever waketh, / His sight is never dim; / He knows the way He taketh, / And I will walk with Him. / …
Bright skies will soon be o’er me, / Where darkest clouds have been. … / My Father has my treasure, / And He will walk with me.
If you are in Canberra on any Wednesday please join us at 6.15 pm – our Testimony Meetings are open to everyone. We are located on the corner of Macquarie and Bligh Streets, Barton in the ACT.
Most of us will be travelling during the Christmas holidays, even if we’re simply driving to the local mall and negotiating parking. Whichever mode of transport we take, we’ll be affected by the actions of others.
Although travel can be frustrating at times, I’m finding there are always affirmative, upbeat things to notice as we go: the excited faces of children, the courtesy of others, and the patience of parents and travel staff. However, the presence of harmony in human affairs is not something that happens by mere accident, in a universe of chance. It is actually evidence that the underlying power that governs the universe is Love.
The birth of Jesus Christ beautifully illustrated that power. Despite threat of harm by King Herod, Love provided for the travellers and the ensuing birth, comfort and care in a very safe and private place.
The more consciously we acknowledge that divine Love is governing us and everyone, the more harmony we will experience, too.
Jesus’ profound mission was to make plain our divine nature as “the children of God.” So, whenever we glimpse ours or another’s true nature, we have, in effect felt “the Christ”, “the divine message from God to men…”, as thought-leader Mary Baker Eddy defines the Christ in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
That voice speaks to everyone, and at all times of the year. When we have done the right thing instead of the wrong, we have been directed by the Christ. When we have been patient instead of irritable, we have conceded to the dynamism of the Christ. When we have made a sound choice among several tempting options, we have listened to the Christ and we have seen the true love that’s characteristic of Christianity in action. (from The Love and Dynamism of the Christ, G J Barratt)
During the Christmas Season many of us revisit the life of Jesus, who so completely demonstrated this power of the Christ to bring out harmony in everyday life. The wonder of his virgin birth was not an isolated miracle but evidence of a spiritual law in operation that was confirmed by the healing works later evident in his adult life. Today, more and more people are recognising that his life, although unique and especially blessed, points to a way of living and thinking that’s actually available to each of us.
Indeed, seeing beyond the limits of nationalism and religiosity to the universal Christ is at the heart of Christianity. Truly supranational, the message of “the Christ,” in Jesus’ words, was for us to be “of one mind,” “love your enemies,” “bless them that curse you,” and realise “the kingdom of God is within you” and within all.
From this viewpoint, we can claim that same spiritual nature Jesus exemplified as ours also, and that of every man, woman and child we meet in our travels this Christmas.
There’s really no secret to experiencing harmony in the carpark, on a long-haul flight or during a family get-together. It may largely depend on how we think of ourselves and others.
Kay Stroud writes on the connection between consciousness, spirituality and health, and trends in that field. She practices Christian Science healing and is the Committee on Publication, spokesperson for Christian Science in NSW, QLD, ACT, NT. Blog: www.health4thinkers.comTwitter: @KayJStroud
What do you think of when you hear the word Christianity? For some today, Christianity may have negative connotations, or perhaps provoke something other than an entirely positive response. But the Christianity I know—the Christianity I understand that Christ Jesus taught—is a vital, crucial agent for healing in the world.
My heart yearns for people to know what Christianity truly means: To me, it’s so about love. And there is no better example in human history of genuine, unconditional love—and its healing effect—than Christ Jesus’ own life. The love he taught and demonstrated actually transformed lives—so it must have been more than mere sympathy or kindness. It must have been the inspiration of divine Love, God, that enabled him to embrace each individual as the beloved child of God.
Living Christianity is about how we can do the same—how Jesus himself expected us to do the same. He taught that those who followed him by living and loving according to his teachings could heal as he did. And he left us with the promise that spiritual healing is possible for everyone to experience and practice.
At the heart of this healing is love—the true vision of our neighbor which flows from God, Love itself. In this lecture, I’ll share how this love impels us to go beyond our preconceived notions and discover more of each individual’s God-derived nature in order to help others. I’ll also discuss some other ideas basic to Christian Science—which is founded on Jesus’ words and works—that allow any of us to heal and be healed.
My hope is that you’ll be able to walk away from this lecture with the essence of true Christianity in your own heart: love that reforms, transforms, and heals.
Mary Alice tells people that the answer to the question of how she started studying Christian Science is not that interesting: she grew up in it. The more interesting question is why she stays with it, and she loves exploring the answer to that compelling question with others. Mary Alice’s interest in science and technology led to a 20-year career in different areas of applied physical science. Through those years, her love for God permeated every aspect of her daily work. Whether supporting research by tornado chasers as a meteorologist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Oklahoma, making live broadcasts during severe weather outbreaks on NOAA Weather Radio, troubleshooting operational software at sea as an engineer and researcher in underwater acoustics, or co-managing a division of 140 engineers and scientists in development of the ground system for the Hubble Space Telescope, prayer was her constant guiding and motivating force.
As interesting as her career was, Mary Alice found that she wanted more time to focus on her most rewarding scientific endeavor: exploring her relationship with God. So, in 2002, Mary Alice made the transition from manager, engineer, and earth scientist to the full-time ministry as a Christian Science practitioner, where divine guidance continues to be her mainstay as she helps people every day in praying about such challenges as careers, finances, health, and relationships. She is also an authorized teacher of this Science and has had a number of articles published in the Christian Science periodicals.
Mary Alice and her husband live in Brookeville, Maryla
“The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God, – a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love.”
This recording is of the readings on the topic: My Shepherd is Beside Me, and Nothing Can I Lack, which formed part of the Testimony Meeting in Canberra. Citations were taken from the Bible (King James Version) and the textbook of Christian Science, 
Christian Science Canberra 