Bow before God to listen. Face down evil as illusion! Reinstate primitive Christianity today! Heal and share!

Bow before God to listen. Face down evil as illusion! Reinstate primitive Christianity today! Heal and share!
CedarS Metaphysical Application Ideas to accompany the Christian Science Bible Lesson: “Sacrament” for July 6-12, 2009
Prepared by Dan Carnesciali, CS of St. Louis, MO

Editor’s Note: The following application ideas for this week and the Possible Sunday School Topics that follow are offered primarily to help CEDARS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study and application of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up to have them emailed to you free — in English by Monday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French from Pascal or in Spanish from Ana. JUST SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters

One thing we learn from studying the Bible is that things are not always as they seem. Because this lesson recaps the end of Jesus’ career, it can seem sad. However, the story doesn’t end there. Jesus comes back. He meets his followers on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and urges them to be healers. He urges them to spread the wonderful news that he is God’s Son who came to unite us with the Father. He urges us to share this healing message.

Golden Text:
The Hebrew word for salvation, pronounced “yĕshuw`ah”, means liberty and deliverance by God. It is the root of the name Joshua and Jesus. The meaning of cup in this lesson varies widely depending on the context. In this passage the cup of salvation is symbolic of the Lord’s saving help. Be grateful for God’s blessings, no matter how small. Lift up this cup of salvation as a beacon for others.

Responsive Reading:
Live a Christlike life in response to Jesus’ love and sacrifice. The Message translates some of the Responsive Reading like this: “My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I [Paul] ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit – not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength – that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in …” [Expect a “glorious inner strength” to work within you “to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”!]

Section 1 – Symbolism at the Last Supper
To bow before God is to put yourself in a holy position. Bow before God and listen for what God is thinking. What came to Micah was that what God needs from us is really not all that complicated. Be fair – follow the Golden Rule. Be nice – be kind and forgiving. Be respectful – respect yourself and others. Don’t judge – everyone is the perfect child of God. Do good. (B-1) Jesus did this naturally and the result was healing. (B-2) Being a devout Jew, Jesus celebrated the Passover. In this instance, he knew that it was the last time he would share the Passover with his friends. Traditionally, the head of household breaks bread before meals and before the main meal at Passover. Breaking bread is a sign of fellowship. Jesus was also breaking bread to share the “body of Christ” or church. In this spiritual body (church) all share in the power of the resurrection and in the promised redemption. (Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible) Paul preached that within this body, the division of mankind into Jews and Gentiles is overcome. (Ibid) After eating bread, Jesus gave his disciples wine to symbolize the blood of Christ. Jews were forbidden from drinking blood, however, blood was used to ratify a covenant (promise). (Harper Collins Study Bible) Jesus says that his sacrifice (blood) is “for the forgiveness of sins.” (New Revised Standard Bible) It’s possible that the disciples did not understand what he meant at the moment. But, in time they would. (B-3) “Let’s live out our part in the Feast, not as raised bread swollen with the yeast of evil, but as flat bread – simple, genuine, unpretentious.” (B-4 The Message) Mary Baker Eddy asks us to focus not on dead ceremonies, but on the true meaning behind the ceremonies. (S-3) “If all who seek his commemoration through material symbols will take up the cross, heal the sick, cast out evils, and preach Christ, or Truth, to the poor, – the receptive thought, – they will bring in the millennium [period of spiritual peace].” (S-4) Who needs to take up the cross?

Section 2 – Kiss The Cross
Read this section and the following words or phrases probably stand out: gloom, suffering, flesh, evil, betrayal, resistance to Truth, haunting steps, cup of earthly sorrows and hatred of sinners. Does this seem like a section you just want to skip over? [a “Christian-Light” temptation] This section talks about how to defeat evil. You will weather life’s storms if you base your life on the bedrock of Christ.
As Jesus prepared for the unbearable agony of the crucifixion, he needed the support of his disciples. Twice he told them to pray so they didn’t fall into temptation. (B-6, B-7) He wanted them to be careful that they weren’t impressed by evil and lulled to sleep. Evil had caused some of the Jews to want to put Jesus to death. Was this their thought? When Judas betrayed Jesus, was this his thought? When the disciple cut off the man’s ear, was this his thought? Through this all, Jesus was actively facing down evil. He was holding “uncomplaining guard over the world,” even as he was preparing to sacrifice himself. Daily pray to understand that evil is not a power, but an illusion of the human mind. (S-6) Imagine the commotion of his betrayal and his arrest. In the chaos of this moment, Jesus takes a moment to heal. Reflect on that for a moment. That’s love. Despite the hell going on, Jesus was full of love. He was not reacting to the scene, he responding to Love. He was peaceful and ready to heal. [See B-6 and definition of GETHSEMANE, S&H 586:23]
When you are about Our Father’s business, you will encounter storms of hatred and resistance. This isn’t a time for sadness, but for love and alertness. Mary Baker Eddy refers to these storms this way. She says, “This is the cross. Take it up and bear it [persevere], for through it you win the and wear the crown.” (S-9) Don’t run away from evil. Handle it and defeat it and you will be lifted higher.

Section 3 – Was it Breakfast or Brunch?
Our church was “designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” (Manual of The Mother Church, p.17) This lesson focuses on what is necessary to reinstate primitive Christianity today. The selection from Acts briefly recaps Jesus’ ministry. First, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit. To anoint means to be chosen or crowned by God. Synonyms of anoint are to consecrate or make sacred. Have you anointed yourself today with the oil of gladness? This anointing relieves burden and helps you focus on the good you may have missed. The author of Acts wrote this passage so we never forget Jesus’ sacrifice. (B-8) Follow his words and works. Adore him. (See S&H 26:1) The end of the passage is not a judgment on Judaism as a whole. Remember, Jesus was a Jew. The earliest Christians were Jews who followed Jesus. (The term “Christian” was first recorded in 64 AD. http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/xtians.html ) Jews are monotheists; they worship the same God we do. They love the same scripture that what we call the Old Testament. They follow the same Ten Commandments we do.
In the previous section, the disciples had deserted Jesus after his arrest. After witnessing Jesus’ execution by the Romans they apparently didn’t know what to do next. So, they went fishing. In their gloom, they caught nothing. Jesus, completely liberated from death, appears on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius (Sea of Galilee) and urges them to fish on the “right” side. The disciples enjoy a miraculous catch and recognize Jesus. Imagine what that moment meant to the disciples. Next, Jesus and the disciples share breakfast. Or since the meal included fish, maybe it was brunch? As usual, Jesus broke bread as a sign of fellowship and an act that connected this meal to the Last Supper. Later, Jesus ascended beyond what the physical senses could perceive. Full of the Spirit, his disciples have direction and courage. They will not be stopped. They spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and heal. (B-10) As a follower of Christ, you have a calling. You will rise to the understanding that the true man is governed by God-good, not evil. You will cast out error and heal. (S-10)  Daily strive to rise above the belief of life in body, intelligence in matter “into newness of life as Spirit.” With joy, bow before Christ and commune with Love. It is time to celebrate Jesus’ complete victory over death (life in matter). (S-11) Since you have dominion over mental or physical injury you can let it go. It never was your thought or experience.

Section 4 – Healing is Possible
Jesus doesn’t waste words. He says, “Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.” (B-11) (The Message) Does this sound too hard? You can heal simply by being the presence of Christ. That heals. (B-11) Remember, nothing is too hard for God. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;” (B-13) Imagine the disabled man, sitting in front of the temple day after day, wishing he could go in and worship, but realizing that that would probably never happen. He was barred from entering the temple because the rules said that you had to be free from all sickness to enter. Think of how unjust this was. Ponder what this healing meant to this man. Not only could he walk, but he could worship with everyone else. He was included in the church community for the first time. It’s no wonder he was leaping and praising God. (B-12) Don’t exclude anyone from church, from the healing community of God. If you were the one who saw the man, would you think, “Hmm, bad legs. He’s been this way for a long time.” If you’ve ever tried it, healing the body with prayer feels difficult. However, asking God prayerfully to change your thought isn’t so hard. Keep doing that. God answers prayer and the resulting shift or release brings healing. When you turn thought consistently away from human thought to God, you become aware that there is not a problem and God, just God. Then sickness or the problem won’t be real to you anymore. Challenge the thought that healing is a physical change. Healing means to be whole, healthy, sound, restored, free from evil, cleansed, purified, reconciled, settled, full, undivided, complete, well, undamaged and intact.

Section 5 – Community in Church
According to the book of Acts, the early followers of Jesus went to temple and ate together every day. Note their emphasis on fellowship, how much they enjoyed being together. (B-14) They cared for each other and prayed for each other often. “The prayer of a [innocent and just] person is powerful and effective.” (B-15 Today’s New International Version) Paul taught that the church is one body. (B-16) “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (I Cor. 12:27, NRSV) You and I are not individual bodies of Christ with different heads. Christ is the head of this one body called church. That doesn’t mean we are all the same. We are actually designed to be diverse. It wouldn’t do if a body had only feet. A complete body has hands, arms, legs, eyes, ears, etc. Paul said, “Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (Ephesians 4:2 Be, New Living Translation.) Church/Sunday School is not a stagnant idea. It is ever new. Mary Baker Eddy said, “We can unite with this church only as we are newborn of Spirit …” (S-18) Since our baptism is daily, we are daily washed clean of stale approaches. As a spiritual idea of God, church is really boundless. It’s loved and empowered by God. Imagine the possibilities if our concept of church truly were “the living, palpitating presence of Christ, Truth, which [heals] the sick.” (S-20)

This weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff we hope to bless again this summer at CEDARS–as well as to CEDARS alumni, families and friends who request it, or find it on our website. But, current and planned gifts are much-needed to help cover the costs of running this service and of providing camperships.

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Camp Director’s Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 8-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. (To keep the flow of the practitioner’s ideas intact and to allow for more selective printing the “Possible Sunday School Topics” come in a subsequent email.) This weekly offering is intended to encourage further study and application of ideas in the lesson and to invigorate Sunday School participation by students and by the budding teachers on our staff. Originally sent JUST to my Sunday School students and to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study, application and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson “mets” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension and background as well as new angles on the daily applicability of some of the ideas and passages being studied. The weekly Bible Lessons are copyrighted by the Christian Science Publishing Society and are printed in the Christian Science Quarterly as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms or online at eBibleLesson,com or myBibleLesson.com. The citations referenced (i.e. B-1 and S-28) from this week’s Bible Lesson in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the Bible (B-1 thru B-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (S-1 thru S-30) The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of the ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Camp Director director@cedarscamps.org (636) 394-6162

PSST- ways for the student in you to drink up salvation to the full, to forgive completely, …
Possible Sunday School Topics (P.S.S.T.) for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on “Sacrament” for July 6-12 by an anonymous CedarS Sunday School teacher

P.S.S.T. Golden Text and Responsive Reading
What does it mean to take the cup of salvation? What are some ways that we can be grateful to take up that cup? What are we bowing down to? How do we let the Christ fill our hearts?

P.S.S.T. Section 1
What is the symbolism in the “Last Supper?” Why do you think Jesus gave bread and wine to eat and drink? What’s the importance of those actions? How do we do this on a regular basis? What is the result of truly drinking from his cup? What are some ways that we can do this?

P.S.S.T. Section 2
What do you think Jesus was thinking about while in the Garden of Gethsemane? Are we willing to partake of the cup, even if we don’t want to? Think about times that you have to do something you might not want to, but that will help you or others grow. What kind of qualities does it take to go forward? Jesus healed a soldier who was taking him to be crucified. How can we be willing to forgive and heal those around us that are attacking us?

P.S.S.T. Section 3
Have you ever had to cast your net on the right side? What needs to change in your thought for this to happen? Why do you think the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus when they first saw him? Look at marker 11 in Science and Health. How can we rejoice like the disciples in that morning breakfast with Christ?

P.S.S.T. Section 4
What did Peter and John see in the man in order to heal him (B-12)? How can we have that clarity of thought as well? What does Jesus’ directive (B-11) mean to you? How are you following his direction every day?

P.S.S.T. Section 5
What is the importance of church? Where do we see “the structure of Truth and Love” in our everyday experience? (S-19) How are we drinking of the cup of blessing? What is the communion that we are taking? How does this honor Christ and God?