Nothing Ails You

[Florence]

460:18-23If Christian healing is abused by mere smatterers in Science, it becomes a tedious mischief- maker. Instead of scientifically effecting a cure, it starts a petty crossfire over every cripple and invalid, buffeting them with the superficial and cold assertion, “Nothing ails you.”

If “nothing ails you” is uttered without the Divine Principle of Love behind it, it sounds like the “Taint so” that has no conviction of the power and force of God’s presence and is devoid of genuine compassion which shines the light of Truth to lead someone out of the darkness of their sick false beliefs. “Where Is My Divine Love?” This I should ask before uttering empty truths, the sound of which can rather rankle the thought of the sick, instead of bringing comfort and compassion that would uplift a neighbor. Where is my lamp of Truth, burning with the genuine desire to see myself and “man” correctly? That light of Truth, which does help one see themselves upright and godlike again, with the dominion which is their inheritance, as a child of God!

[Pilar Deblinger]

Thank you for this comment. I just underlined it in the Lesson this morning and was wondering what Mrs Eddy was trying to convey. So many times I hear from Christian Scientists those words “nothing ails you” but they are without meaning or love behind it. Lately, I have strived to apply this in my interactions with family, coworkers and strangers on the street. I’m still far from successful, and regrettably wonder if I’m doing any good when passing a stranger, or a homeless person. I mentally declare “perfect God, perfect man”, but always question myself, have you been truly effective? Or are these just words? Do I love enough? I can only trust God that sees my true self and my true intentions. Thank you again. I always feel surprised when God answers.

[parthens]

Where’s the Love?

To say, “Nothing ails you” in the scenario that Mrs Eddy describes (SH 460) is equivalent to a defense attorney entering a courtroom without presenting a single witness or item of evidence in his client’s favor, yet announcing to judge and jury, “My client is innocent,” then exiting the courtroom – leaving his client open to an unbridled onslaught of attacks from his accusers.

“Love is priestess at the altar of Truth” (SH 454).

A priest or priestess is a mediator of reconciliation between God and man.

Divine Love employs Christian Science as Mediator, or Paraclete (another name for the Holy Ghost – SH 588 and John 14): Counselor, Attorney, Advocate, and this fact illumines the pages of Mrs. Eddy’s allegory, “The Trial”, in which Christian Science single-handedly triumphs in the Supreme Court of Spirit to reverse the decision of the lower court of the Accuser (SH 430-442).

Note the vehemence with which Christian Science so passionately argues against the testimony of mortal mind and its swarm of lying witnesses that have ganged up against the defendant, a dying patient, distracted and overwhelmed with pain and hopelessness.

As a defense attorney, Christian Science is neither cringing nor matter-of-fact (unlike a hireling public defender), but battles pro bono for the welfare of the accused with a devotion that can only be compared to a parent protecting his/her beloved child from a murderous mob.

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