Ken Cooper’s “POETIC PRELUDE” brings to life Bible EXAMPLES of how divine Love…

Ken Cooper’s “POETIC POSTLUDE” brings to life Bible EXAMPLES of how divine Love speaks to EACH ONE and so blesses each and ALL of us!
from the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on “Love” for January 30, 2022

(CedarS Met by Craig has been posted with audio now and will be emailed soon.)

• Ken’s YouTube story of Elijah the Tishbite and The Widow of Zarephath is read by Sue.
• Ken’s YouTube monologue “The Leper Cleansed” shows the trust that an “unclean” man placed in Jesus.
• Ken’s YouTube monologue tells the story of “Simon the Pharisee!”

[Warren: So sorry that Ken wrote this earlier and I thought I’d sent it as a prelude vs. a postlude to the Met.] “This Bible Lesson contains classic statements about Love, most notably in the last four references in Section 6. IN SUMMARY, TAKE AWAY LOVE AND THERE IS NOTHING. WITH LOVE THERE IS EVERYTHING. THEREFORE, TRUST IN LOVE.

 One of my favourite references is “… legitimate Christian Science, aflame with divine Love.” (SH 367:8 legitimate). The word “aflame” is so important, – practical Christian Science is not a cosy fireside remnant of quiet ashes in the fire, but the lively dancing flames of God’s Word speaking to each of us with the warmth and embrace of Love. It is not a consuming fire as Moses noted, but the engaging message of “I AM THAT I AM.”  We are the reflection and animation of that Love, and the Bible stories show how well the power of Love is evidenced and proved. No wonder we put our “trust under the shadow of Your (Love’s) wings”. (see Golden Text).

The Love of God is unconditional, for God simply IS Love, and does not change. Love cannot stop being Love.  When we love, we align ourselves with what Love is, and find that Love fully expressed in our lives. “Love is reflected in love” (SH 17:7 Love). Love is the infinity of good. What is there not to trust! We see this throughout the lesson.

 The story of Elijah the Tishbite and The Widow of Zarephath (read by Sue) (Bible citation #8) is so beautifully summarised by the sentence “Divine Love always has meet and always will meet every human need” (Science & Health citation #7).  The receptivity of Elijah was mirrored by the trust of the widow. She was showing great love for her son, but showed greater love in her trusting obedience to God, and care for a stranger. And how well were they all rewarded! When everything seems bleak and final, right there and then the Love of God is present to bless. Had this been a material supply, she would have been left hungry on the morrow, but Love supplies all needs to all who trust, for the supply of Spirit is limitless, and comes in the best way to meet every human need. In giving all she had, she learned that there was a greater supply that was indeed unlimited. The love that she showed blessed both her, her son, and Elijah.  LOVE IS AN OVERFLOWING STREAM. The poem concludes:

“I had to give my very last” –
This thought so strong and bold:
For only when we drop the past
Do all of God we hold”.

Her “very last” was a belief in matter as supply and condition. (see last week’s poem “Truth has no conditions”). When we drop the material, our eyes are opened to the omnipresence and abundance of Love.

 The monologue “The Leper Cleansed” shows the trust that an “unclean” person placed in Christ Jesus. He left the safety of the leper compound to seek out this man. He knelt before him (submitted in trust) to utter his simple plea “If thou wilt thou canst make me clean”. Love responded.

“He reaches out with his hand and I feel his gentle touch on my face! No one had dared touch me for more months than I could remember. But what touches me more is the compassion that flows out from his very being: like a stream of living water, unstoppable, bathing me in purity and
love”

There was no fear as Jesus reached out to touch him, – but the symbolism of that touch of Love was immense, – for Love know no fear, it does whatever is right without any concerns, and the healing was instant. Jesus’ trust in Love is our example, – a trust so complete, so pure, that there was never any shade of doubt.

“No longer full of fear, but full of Love. I stand upright, and we share, in that marvellous
moment, the truth of our being, the pure joy of gratitude, yes, the understanding of one Family!”. As a child trusts his parent, it is the perfection of parental love that shines through, as God loves us.

How different is the story of “Simon the Pharisee!”  (set to music) The arrogant Simon cannot believe what he is seeing. His sense of love was very different to that of Jesus!  He only had love for himself. In Section 4 we see so clearly the outreach of Love to all mankind “Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals” (S citation #17) and “Love for God and man is the true incentive in both healing and teaching” (S Citation #22). When we draw upon our love for God, the infinite power of Love is made manifest in healing, – Love can do no less, – it reveals what Love is, and when we see this we see healing and forgiveness unfold.  Simon witnessed the healing of the sinful woman. Her love was great, and she too gave of what she had, both physically and spiritually. We can change our stance in the twinkling of understanding, but as Simon confesses in this monologue, – “Am I really prepared to put God first? The choice is mine…” We too can so easily live in the past, but the call of Jesus was to “Repent!” We can change NOW. Like the widow of Zarephath, the leper, and the sinner! And what a result!

Let the splendour of Love now be aflame in our hearts, for when we put Love first the past is no more, and the blessing of Love, the totality of God, enfolds everything there is. When we love God we also love the perfection of what we truly are, and live together “under the shadow of Love’s wings”.

Copies of the poems are available in pdf format in color and B&W as DOWNLOADS at the top right of the online version of this Poetic Prelude to this week’s Bible Lesson as well as of CedarS online Met this week.  (Audio of the Met has been added online, so the email will be following soon.) The full range of Ken’s videos on YouTube can be found on KenGCooperPoetry.  All Ken’s poetry and other writings can be found on Ken Cooper Poetry.

Ken’s email is kengcooper@btinternet.com.