I too felt the encouragement of the citations.
This morning I was listening to the audio of the article Love Your Enemies by Mary Baker Eddy. Below is a quote that I thought fit in with the theme of our lesson this week.
“The best lesson of their (our) lives is gained by crossing swords with temptation, with fear and the besetments of evil; insomuch as they thereby have tried their strength and proven it; insomuch as they have found their strength made perfect in weakness, and their fear is self-immolated. This destruction is a moral chemicalization, wherein old things pass away and all things become new.”
Earlier in the article she writes
“Simply count your enemy to be that which defiles, defaces, and dethrones the Christ-image that you should reflect. Whatever purifies, sanctifies, and consecrates human life, is not an enemy, however much we suffer in the process.”
Before coming to Plainfield I thought everything always had to be smooth, no trouble, free from disagreements, etc. I tried to obtained this by human effort not spiritual scientific demonstration-like when Jesus stilled the storm. Jesus had to drive out the money changers from the temple. He did not just stand by an let ungodly behavior continue because he did not want to upset anyone. Now I see if peace is not based on God it is not pure, honest nor lasting, A false peace puts one to sleep to satan’s plots. Which as I found in my life just smolders underneath until it breaks out into flames. I am very grateful for the pure teachings of the Science of Christianity based on Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery and Bible classes that are give here.