The difference between benediction and malediction

[JPalmer]

4. Genesis 3 : 16, 17 (to 1st ,), 19
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said,
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Each week we end the Sunday service with a benediction (“The act of blessing; a giving praise to God or rendering thanks for his favors; a blessing pronounced” — 1828 Webster’s Dictionary). Reading the above verse, however, reminded me of the word ‘malediction’ and its definition “Evil speaking; denunciation of evil; a cursing; curse or execration.” What an awful law it would pronounce on us, if it had power beyond what we have given it. I am grateful to Christian Science, this Church, and practitioner support for showing me how to “Stand porter at the door of thought,” (S&H, p. 392) to discern the difference between benediction and malediction — reality from unreality — and to only accept the good and true that come from God into my thought. Thank you!

[Author]

Posts