Are we our brother's keeper?

The answer is overwhelmingly, 'Yes!'. Although the question, dishonestly posed by Cain (when God asks him where his brother, Abel, is), suggests the answer is 'no'. California seems to currently be running up against the same argument, at the supposed hands of the state's Controller, in lieu of the Governor not having an immediate solution to the financial concerns of the state. And that these potential decisions would affect the citizens in the most challenging circumstances, including those who normally receive state welfare payments. Welfare is defined as "Exemption from any unusual evil or calamity; the enjoyment of peace and prosperity, or the ordinary blessings of society and civil government. " (The Student's Reference Dictionary). On page 72 of Retrospection and Introspection, by Mary Baker Eddy, she states "To disregard the welfare of others is contrary to the law of God; therefore it deteriorates one's ability to do good, to benefit himself and mankind." So, to restrict or place an I.O.U. on an individual's blessing of society and civil government would not be authorized in the Kingdom of God, which is everywhere, in every state, in every city, town, and home.

In times of hardship in our country, and beyond, we have seen and know of our responsibility to help one another. We have seen this very recently in the US Airways incident this week, in New York City. Ready and immediate help was given to all those who completely relied and trusted on God, through their very dear neighbors, to rescue them. They completely relied by walking onto the wings of a plane, which was apparently sinking, and droves of those able and delighted to help came to their rescue, in some cases ships and boats literally swooping up these dear, trusting people by resting underneath the wings of that airplane, and even into the arms of these helpers. And those helpers thought not for an instant to not help; in fact, most said they were so grateful to have been there, and that there were so many available to help at that time of day. Almost as if the blessing comes from helping, even more than being helped. We have also seen time and again the aid offered not only within our own country during human tragedy, raging fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, but the offering of aid to other countries as well, during similar times of challenge. "Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (I John 3:17). And that is so clear to us all in these times of challenges, and financial challenges are really no different, are they?

We can trust that there is aid available to help all those who have the need. Where does this supply come from? Well, God promises us that our needs will be met, through listening to his guidance for us, and that those right ideas will bless all. Instead of focusing on budgets, deficits, and the stock market, our need is to be clear on our moral responsibility of sharing what we have with our neighbor, in, of course, the right ways, the ways that God is leading us to. Sometimes, that comes in the form of praying, simply sharing ideas, and sometimes in the form of financial contributions. And we never need to fear that our thought, our prayer in the world will go unheard, or will not help mankind. And that our financial contributions will not be felt by those who most need it, even if the need seems very large. With brotherly love for all, God is governing all people, all needs, all supply, in just the perfect way. Welfare for all is secure, everywhere.

What Christ Jesus really taught us...

Today I ran across this statement, "Out of reach of the barbarity of his enemies, he was acting under spiritual law in defiance of matter and mortality, and that spiritual law sustained him." (S&H 43:24). Just before this, I had been asserting the knowledge that my recent experiences had shown the appearance of mortality 'getting the better of me', but in reality, what was really going on were some of the highest blessings afforded to man.

Then, I quickly realized that the statement perfectly demonstrated that Jesus let them believe they had taken his life, but in reality, he would demonstrate to all of mankind forever that life is not in matter, but wholly spiritual, as he arose from the grave. "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." (Luke 22:43). So we know that when Jesus said Thy will be done, before the crucifixion, and God's response was to send him angels who strengthened him, we have that same protection as we face life's obstacles, no matter how large they seem, or how impossible they seem to ever heal.

And what I've found really beautiful is that we have evidence of the works of Christ Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy to be our light, or guide, in the darkness, along with the ever-present Love of our Father.

mind science

I was led to a report last evening, from a reputable news program, regarding Neuro Science. The report dealt with a research study into reading brain activity. The participants went into a MRI machine, and then were asked to think about certain objects. The computer then reported on what the brain was thinking. In the case they showed, as resulted on the computer, the objects matched identically. They also showed the brain experiencing emotions like love, fear, etc. A professor of Ethics was asked about this type of mind reading, and reasoned that the world has become an Orwellian culture. He also said that there are other more advanced things going on with this science in the world. They discussed that any individual could purchase the software, and the secretive method of scanning someone's brain without their supposed knowledge, which was met by the reporter questioning the global implications of such, for the individual. The man running the study offered that other countries and US government agencies were employing this science, and within 3-5 years the reach of this would be far and wide.

Naturally, questions arose in thought regarding our effectiveness as healers in Divine Science, where we know that changing thought is essential for healing.

Did Mrs. Eddy's discovery expand to cover mind-reading? Or is governing one's thought ultimately at the mercy of interference by a computer, force of darkness, etc.??

Are we subject to claims of not being able to effectively practice this Science, if we are being treated like an object of one or even more 'mad scientists', and our thoughts are constantly being read by mortal mind?

Could our thoughts be then changed to whatever anyone in the world wants us to think on, even if we are firmly standing porter?

And, is our US Constitution ultimately ineffective, with regard to human rights, the individual right of self-government, religious freedom, and to protect one's thought...does the MEANING of that change (such an essential, God-given right in Christian Science, necessary for healing), if others can manipulate our thinking in this way?

The answer to all questions is obviously that Divine Science is effective under all supposed conditions. God heals all cases, and there's nothing more powerful than what He is, does, and the way He governs us all (even those who may find themselves tempted to be a part of the world of 'mad science'). There is nothing more powerful than Divine Love's capacity to heal the claim that 'holding onto someone' is possible, through a human control of individual thought;the claim of being able to dig deeply into what an individual knows, believes or thinks about, in their daily walk (there was a later discussion of crime being detected through scanning brain activity), because we know that human will either to 'good' or 'bad' is lacking of moral and divine authority; and the claim that the brain controls one's bodily movements, activity, speech, health, and that we are constantly subject to the physical senses. We only recognize the one true Mind, and the body of Christ, not a body who's poked and prodded for reactions and information. We also only recognize that all individuals in the world are only truly capable of expressing Love, and are always recognizing dignity and respect of each individual to govern their own thought, doing only what God leads. There's no greater attractor than Spirit -- there's no thought of spending one's (God's) time experimenting with human life, as something that would attract, or appear as attractive/smart in workgroups, relationships, church, community. The belief in matter controlling the body of Christ is of course nothing but an illusion.

In addition to our beautiful lesson on God, where we are reminded of the laws of reality, resting on One Mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves, I'm grateful for our Rule for Motives and Acts, which reinforces our knowledge that we cannot be 'influenced erroneously'and that we cannot 'influence others erroneously' -- I think of this statement as the world's mission statement, not just applying to Christian Scientists. I also love that Jesus said, "Watch and pray"-- I interpret this as watching my thought, standing firmly, and only allowing Truth, Life, and Love to be recognized as real, and not rationalizing, aiding, or having sympathy for this claim (and absolutely not being impressed by it), or any other claim of error. Jesus goes on to say (Matt 26:41), "that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." So, Jesus gave us all we need to ever know about this claim, even though it wasn't going on in the same way during his time on earth!

Please join with me in being alert to all claims of technological saavy going on in the world, and to renounce the thought that technology has no ethics and thus, whatever is possible technologically should be done at will. And even alert to how much of the wireless culture we authorize to be a part of our daily experience, and to know that in reality, there are only responsible uses of such technology. I love what Mrs. Eddy says about decision-making: "Your decisions will master you, whichever direction they take." (S&H 392:22). I'm so grateful for the readiness and immediacy of God to destroy every thought that is unlike His, for the entire globe.