Responsive Reading
Romans 5:5 God’s; Philippians 1:9–11 it; Romans 12:9 (to 1st .), 10 (to 1st .), 12, 13, 16 (to 1st .), 17; Philippians 2:1–4 if, 13 it
Rom. 5:5. . . God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Phil. 1:9. . . it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Rom. 12:9Let love be genuine.
10Love one another with brotherly affection.
12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
16Live in harmony with one another.
17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
Phil. 2:1. . . if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
13. . . it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
The Golden Text and Responsive Reading are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
Section 1
The Bible
Jeremiah 31:3 (to :)
3The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
I John 4:6 (to :), 7, 12 If
6We are of God:
7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
12If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Science and Health with Key to the Scripturesby Mary Baker Eddy
302:25 (only)
God is Love.
340:12
Divine Love is infinite. Therefore all that really exists is in and of God, and manifests His love.
3:12
The Divine Being must be reflected by man, — else man is not the image and likeness of the patient, tender, and true, the One “altogether lovely;” but to understand God is the work of eternity, and demands absolute consecration of thought, energy, and desire.
Section 2
The Bible
I John 4:16 he
16he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Deuteronomy 24:19
19When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.
Ruth 2:1–3 Naomi, 5, 6, 8, 9–12 and when, 15, 16
1Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
2And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
3And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
5Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
6And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
8Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
9and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
10Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
11And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
12The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
15And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:
16And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
Psalms 23:1
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Science and Health
578:5 (only)
[Divine love] is my shepherd; I shall not want.
13:2
Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.”
66:11–14
Spiritual development germinates not from seed sown in the soil of material hopes, but when these decay, Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth.
57:18, 23–24
Affection’s
demands
Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.
Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it.
518:15–19
Assistance in
brotherhood
The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good.
113:5–6
The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love.
Section 3
The Bible
Deuteronomy 6:5 thou
5thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Psalms 62:10 if
10if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (to :)
10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase:
I Timothy 6:6 godliness, 10, 11
6godliness with contentment is great gain.
10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Science and Health
9:17–21 (to 1st .)
Practical
religion
Dost thou “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”? This command includes much, even the surrender of all merely material sensation, affection, and worship.
239:5, 16
Right views
of humanity
Take away wealth, fame, and social organizations, which weigh not one jot in the balance of God, and we get clearer views of Principle. Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity.
Standpoint
revealed
To ascertain our progress, we must learn where our affections are placed and whom we acknowledge and obey as God. If divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer, and more real to us, matter is then submitting to Spirit. The objects we pursue and the spirit we manifest reveal our standpoint, and show what we are winning.
8:14–18, 28–30
If we feel the aspiration, humility, gratitude, and love which our words express, — this God accepts; and it is wise not to try to deceive ourselves or others, for “there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed.”
We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are.
60:31–1
Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man.
Section 4
The Bible
Matthew 9:35 Jesus
35Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Matthew 8:2, 3
2And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
3And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Luke 7:37–47
37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Science and Health
364:19–31
Jesus told Simon that such seekers as he gave small reward in return for the spiritual purgation which came through the Messiah. If Christian Scientists are like Simon, then it must be said of them also that they love little.
Genuine
repentance
On the other hand, do they show their regard for Truth, or Christ, by their genuine repentance, by their broken hearts, expressed by meekness and human affection, as did this woman? If so, then it may be said of them, as Jesus said of the unwelcome visitor, that they indeed love much, because much is forgiven them.
26:28–32
Our Master taught no mere theory, doctrine, or belief. It was the divine Principle of all real being which he taught and practised. His proof of Christianity was no form or system of religion and worship, but Christian Science, working out the harmony of Life and Love.
365:15–19, 31
Speedy
healing
If the Scientist reaches his patient through divine Love, the healing work will be accomplished at one visit, and the disease will vanish into its native nothingness like dew before the morning sunshine.
The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.
384:3–6
We should relieve our minds from the depressing thought that we have transgressed a material law and must of necessity pay the penalty. Let us reassure ourselves with the law of Love.
231:16
God is not the author of mortal discords. Therefore we accept the conclusion that discords have only a fabulous existence, are mortal beliefs which divine Truth and Love destroy.
461:23
Both sin and sickness are error, and Truth is their remedy. The truth regarding error is, that error is not true, hence it is unreal. To prove scientifically the error or unreality of sin, you must first see the claim of sin, and then destroy it. Whereas, to prove scientifically the error or unreality of disease, you must mentally unsee the disease; then you will not feel it, and it is destroyed.
201:17
The way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love. Christian perfection is won on no other basis.
Section 5
The Bible
Matthew 23:1, 8 one
1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
8one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Matthew 25:31, 32 (to 1st :), 34–40
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32And before him shall be gathered all nations:
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Galatians 5:13 by, 14
13by love serve one another.
14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Science and Health
38:24–26
Jesus mapped out the path for others. He unveiled the Christ, the spiritual idea of divine Love.
30:30–1
We cannot choose for ourselves, but must work out our salvation in the way Jesus taught. In meekness and might, he was found preaching the gospel to the poor.
3:32–22
While the heart is far from divine Truth and Love, we cannot conceal the ingratitude of barren lives.
Efficacious
petitions
What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds. To keep the commandments of our Master and follow his example, is our proper debt to him and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer. Its motives are made manifest in the blessings they bring, — blessings which, even if not acknowledged in audible words, attest our worthiness to be partakers of Love.
Watchfulness
requisite
Simply asking that we may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness.
54:8–10 All
All must sooner or later plant themselves in Christ, the true idea of God.
55:16–21
My weary hope tries to realize that happy day, when man shall recognize the Science of Christ and love his neighbor as himself, — when he shall realize God’s omnipotence and the healing power of the divine Love in what it has done and is doing for mankind.
248:29
Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love — the kingdom of heaven — reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear.
520:3–10 The
Love and man
coexistent
The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough! Human language can repeat only an infinitesimal part of what exists. The absolute ideal, man, is no more seen nor comprehended by mortals, than is his infinite Principle, Love. Principle and its idea, man, are coexistent and eternal.
Section 6
The Bible
I John 3:18 let
18let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
II John 1:1, 3, 5
1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
Romans 13:10 love is
10love is the fulfilling of the law.
Science and Health
6:17–18
“God is Love.” More than this we cannot ask, higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go.
95:6–10
We approach God, or Life, in proportion to our spirituality, our fidelity to Truth and Love; and in that ratio we know all human need and are able to discern the thought of the sick and the sinning for the purpose of healing them.
241:19–21
The substance of all devotion is the reflection and demonstration of divine Love, healing sickness and destroying sin.
494:10–15
Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need. It is not well to imagine that Jesus demonstrated the divine power to heal only for a select number or for a limited period of time, since to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good.
The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love.