Is This Body Me? – Readings from the Bible and the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
Every Wednesday at 6.15 pm a Testimony Meeting is held at the Christian Science Church in Canberra. Each meeting begins with readings selected from the two books designated as the Pastor of Christian Science: The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scripturesby Mary Baker Eddy. A new topic for the readings is selected each week.
At the conclusion of the short readings the congregation is invited to share thoughts on this topic and relate how they have used the principles of Christian Science to solve life’s problems and bring physical healing.
If you are in Canberra on any Wednesday please join us. Everyone is welcome.
This recording represents the readings on the topic: Is This Body Me?
It’s been a year now since Monty left us. We guessed he was about four when he came to us. He had been trained as a bomb squad dog but his boundless energy and unstoppable joy for life rendered him unsuitable for such a delicate and serious career and he was adopted out. His new owners also found him a handful and he moved to a temporary home and then to another longer stay, but these owners too were unable to meet his needs.
When he came to our attention we were looking for a family dog and without even meeting him we somehow knew that he was the right dog for us. He proved to be perfect! He revelled in our long walks through the bush, the runs up our local Mt Taylor and just being one of the boys with our son and his friends.
When our son grew up and left home Monty prompted me from my somewhat sedentary life style and made sure that I had regular long walks. No matter what the weather he was always keen to be out. He brought joy to any activity. He adored us; he would put himself between me and any perceived danger. I have no doubt that he would lay down his life for any one of us. He fiercely protected our home and the variety of cats and chooks and guinea pigs that he saw come and go in our family.
Once a year he had a trip to the vet. When we had had him for about seven years the vet warned us that Monty may not be back next year. He cautioned that dogs of his type were not long lived and that Monty had ‘done well’. The following year we returned and gently the vet suggested that we prepare for Monty not being with us much longer. I was noticing that our walks were getting slower and shorter and most days now he would sleep a deep sleep much of the day. When he was awake he was happy and well, but he slept most of the time. It occurred to me that the vet was right and that he may just slide away.
This idea did not sit well with me and I prayed about it. Not a prayer asking God to make it right, but a prayer that seeks a better understanding of the truth of the situation; a prayer that confirms the good and denies the wrong. I could accept that animals come and go in our lives but I could not accept that life was a downhill slide into oblivion. The qualities we loved about Monty: love, affection, devotion, loyalty, energy, exuberance, joy, protection, selflessness, constancy – these were spiritual qualities and as such they were immortal. They could not be contained or curtailed by a material body. They were independent of matter.
“Except for the error of measuring and limiting all that is good and beautiful, man would enjoy more than threescore years and ten and still maintain his vigor, freshness, and promise. Man, governed by immortal Mind, is always beautiful and grand. Each succeeding year unfolds wisdom, beauty, and holiness.”
I thought on these ideas for a few weeks applying them to Monty. Gradually over this time he became more wakeful and his old energy levels returned. We were back doing our brisk five kilometer walks and still he had energy. In fact one day my husband asked if I had been praying for Monty. ‘If so’, he said, ‘Could you stop now – he has more energy than I can cope with.’
Monty stayed with us for nearly five more years. His joy for life remained till the end. Even on his last morning he watched me eagerly to see whether I was putting on my walking shoes in case there was the chance of a walk.
I learned many lessons about life from living with Monty but most importantly I learned that we can say NO to suggestions of age.
“Studies have found those with gratitude are more likely to have a high grade point average.”
Children who are encouraged to know their spiritual identity find a valuable poise reflected in both academic and secular activities. In general, students are found to be more successful, resilient and happy.
There have also been studies by psychologists and sociologists on gratitude. According to the Christian Science Monitor, if you’re grateful, you are more likely to be happy.
It stated that grateful people are more helpful, more satisfied with life and have better friendships. It said studies have found those with gratitude are more likely to have a higher grade point average. They tend to be healthier both physically and mentally.
At the Christian Science Sunday School, gratitude for good is fostered along with deep reflection on the nature of God as a law of eternal truth, as well as an all-encompassing divine love.
The Sunday School operates around small discussion groups with students, up to the age of 20, who are encouraged to discover and demonstrate more of their spiritual self as described in the Bible.
Choosing a religious educational context for children is important. It can encourage the life of the child and the community. To find out more about the Christians Science Sunday School in Canberra visit the Christian Science Canberra website.
In this technological worldthere is much discussion about whether there actually is a god, and if there is, is He – or She – of any relevance to us today? To me this kind of discussion indicates not intellectual rigour, but simply a misapprehension of the nature of God. God is not remote nor is God confined to a particular denomination. God is Love. And Love is universal; accessible to all, even atheists! Every time we witness an act of love – of affection, of kindness, of generosity, of forgiveness, of loyalty, of compassion … a warm smile, we are witnessing God in action. When we express these qualities we are ourselves expressing God. Nothing can be nearer than Love expressed.
Christian Science also teaches me that another synonym for God is Principle. Principle is expressed in honesty, in high standards of speech and action, in law abiding behaviour, in honour, in steadfastness to truth. Again when we see these qualities expressed in ourselves and others we are seeing God in action.
Current practice may seek to remove religion from politics, but we would argue that it is impossible to separate God from government. For what use would a government be if it did not love its community? What use would a government be that did not act according to the highest standards of principle?
It is our prayer that we as a community might witness more of the qualities of God – Love, Principle, Truth, intelligence – expressed by those chosen to represent us in government. Then regardless of sect or creed or denomination we are all truly under God’s government.
This blog item was originally given as a brief speech, by Deborah Packer, First Reader (2010-2013) of the Christian Science Church in Canberra as part of the Interfaith service held to mark the beginning of the ACT Legislative Assembly’s sitting year.
Is This Body Me? – Readings from the Bible and the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
Christian Science Canberra 