Online link to Ken’s “POETIC POSTLUDE” that shares Bible EXAMPLES of how we too can better follow Christ.
Thursday, August 25th, 2022
By Ken Cooper, poet from Great Britain
Ken Cooper’s “POETIC POSTLUDE” shares Bible EXAMPLES of how we too can better follow Christ.
inspired by The Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Christ Jesus”
for August 28, 2022
- Ken’s poem Follow Me shows the result of this promise of Jesus to become fishers of men, and what a promise it is!
- Ken’s monologue “Simon the Pharisee” shares the inner-most thoughts of someone who is well set in his ways…
- Ken’s monologue “Help Thou Mine Unbelief” shares the thoughts of someone desperate to have his son healed.
[Ken writes:] “In last week’s lesson we had the all-embracing statement “All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation” (SH 468:10-11 to,) and this week’s lesson “Christ Jesus” is a perfect example of this infinite manifestation portrayed, not just in the life of Jesus, but in the way he shared what he knew, his call to us to do (manifest) the same. In Matthew we read “Jesus always spoke to the crowds using stories and illustrations. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables to explain clearly everything he said. This then fulfilled the Scripture which said, “I will open my mouth in parables, and will share those things which have been kept secret from the foundation of this material world.” (Matthew 13:34-35. Combined translations). This includes the Golden Text, and is an illustration of the infinite manifestation of Mind, reaching out to everyone with innate understanding. GOD, MIND, MUST BE EXPRESSED THROUGH MAN, AS IT WAS THROUGH JESUS.
Again in following on from last week, we had the Bible verse: “In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus, for he is your model. Have the same attitude, the same humility. With Christ as your example of how to run and live your lives, you will become like him. That is your target, for that is the revelation of how you truly are!” (Philippians 2:5 Combined translations). Jesus is our perfect example.
In the management workshops I used to run, I would ask the question, “If you could be with someone for a full day, who would you choose?” The implication is that whoever was chosen would be a living example of what / how you sought to be, – whether a successful business man, sportswoman, politician, theologian, – whatever. The follow up question was “After spending that time, what do you think you would have learned, what would you now be doing differently”…..Imagine being with Jesus three years, let alone one day! As with all the workshops, as with all training undertaken, unless we in consequence do something differently, nothing has been learned…..When we are with someone we admire / love, isn’t our thought filled with their qualities. To become like Jesus is to follow him. His parables help show us how. The seeds of aspiration are sown in the fertile field of Mind, and blossom one hundredfold, – in infinite abundance. Unless we sow we cannot reap.
In the poem Follow Me we see the result of this promise of Jesus to become fishers of men, and what a promise it is! Imagine an ordinary day, and someone comes along, and in meeting them you realise they are special, and how!! Jesus lived his life as the full manifestation of Mind, of the Christ exemplified. He shone with the Christ, as some just shine with Love. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Bible citation B2, Matthew 4:9) is such a gamechanger! It is a call to each of us, to let go of our material ways of thinking, and plant ourselves in the kingdom of heaven:
“Straightway I leave my mortal net, and follow Christ.
I’ve changed my job, and now, with employment new,
Seek out life immortal.”
In following Christ, we have Jesus as our Master, our Way-shower. We become the good seed, and God shows us the fertile field of His preparation.
“With the new bait of Truth, that man is the image of God,
I cast an unconditional net of Love, which gathers all.”
When we give ourselves to God (see SH citation S17, 1:6) “Prayer, watching, and working, combined with self-immolation, are God’s gracious means for accomplishing whatever has been successfully done for the Christianization and health of mankind.” (my underlining), it is this working / sowing that reaps results. It is God that we are reflecting, Mind that is directing, and Love that bears its own fruit. This is the Christ message.
“Led by the Christ,
Full-following with my whole heart,
I rejoice in the glory of man,
Aglow with the love of Christ.”
But how willing are we in practice to actually cast “our” net? In Section 3 we have the story of Simon, and the monologue “Simon the Pharisee” shares the inner-most thoughts of someone who is well set in his ways, – a Pharisee of high standing. He has heard of Jesus, and wants to find out more about him, – is he genuine for one thing?! What is making him more popular than he is?! (the cry of matter faced with Spirit!!). The monologue may well ring true of our own thoughts, for it echoes Jesus’ command to “Follow me”, – change direction! Do things differently!
“Aren’t I putting myself before God!!! All the time!! Jesus doesn’t care what I think about him. He knows what
God knows, and that’s all that matters to him. What does God know about me? He turns again to the woman:
“Thy sins are forgiven.”
She looks at peace while I am in turmoil. I have heard of Jesus’ demand that we should repent. Dare I change the habits of a lifetime? I ask myself the desperate question, do I really want to!
The woman that Jesus addressed was well-known for her immoral status, yet Jesus saw in her what was her immortal status, – she had openly proved her repentance, and in her humility and new found innocence her sins were forgiven, because they were no more. Simon could see that she was now at peace, – she had given of herself, and the seed of forgiveness would blossom in her new life.
“Jesus looks at me again. Despite his damning words there is such tender love in his eyes, the promise of redemption.
His love is constant. Tangible. I can feel it. And my love is variable.
Am I really prepared to put God first? All the time? Before me?
The choice is mine.”
Section 3 ends with the citation “The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus” (citation S15, 25:31). Simon was experiencing his time with Jesus, seeing for himself exactly what Jesus was demonstrating, – not just words, but sowing the seeds of Truth to those who were receptive. The Love that Jesus showed embraced him too, as it embraces all of us. Where does the seed lie?
The monologue “Help Thou Mine Unbelief” shares the thoughts of someone desperate to have his son healed. It is based on the story in the Gospel of Mark, – a story referred to in three of the Gospels. The seed of potential healing had been sown in the father’s heart, but his seeking out the disciples had not proved successful, and the seed lay on barren ground. However, Jesus came to him:
“A man appears, dressed in a seamless robe. He has a sense of authority that shines from him, the presence of love that silences all those around us, and leaves the feeling that this man is of God. It must be Jesus.”
I remember meeting a practitioner when I was a student at Liverpool University. When she looked at me, I felt an inner radiance that she saw within me my God-given nature. I have never forgotten that moment. The radiance of the Christ ever shines.
In the monologue, the father shares his thoughts again:
“Jesus places his hand on my shoulder. How to describe the impact of that tender touch! It is with such authority, as though the kingdom of Love is revealed as present right there and then, that the infinity of Love is, and always has been, in control, that nothing could shake it. My questioning of my unbelief he has fully answered, for I suddenly felt at one with him and the power he represents.”
This is the key point, that the father let go of his mortal fears and has his thought lifted to the spiritual reality. He witnesses the complete healing of his son, and his reaction illustrates that faith that we all must share:
“I turn to Jesus “Lord, do I now believe! Thank you. THANK YOU! Thank you.””
“THANKYOU!” IS LIKE A GRAIN OF SEED THAT ALWAYS FALLS ON GOOD GROUND.
Jesus is our reason to be grateful, for he has shown us the Christ, he has demonstrated the effect of our oneness with God.
We do not need to fear the challenge of “Follow me”, for what is this “ME” but “Mind Expressed”. Simon the Pharisee was challenged because he could not release his mortal self. But this is what the woman had done, what the father was doing, – it is all we need to do, for it is only the mortal self that struggles. The message of the Christ is that there is only One God, the Father, and “man” who is the reflection of all that God is. This is what Jesus showed us.
The Bible Lesson concludes: “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.” (citation S27, 4:5–9) and “Jesus marked the way” (citation S28, 227:23-24).
When we show gratitude, our thoughts are with God and not ourselves. The key message is again Let Go! Let Christ! Let this Mind be in you as in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said: “I can of mine own self do nothing” When we can say this we are following his example, and God shines through. We follow Jesus as fellow expressions of Mind. That is indeed the only way.
Copies of my poems are available in pdf format in color and B&W as DOWNLOADS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ONLINE VERSION OF THIS POETIC POSTLUDE to this week’s Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson. 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.
A FREE copy of my combined translations is available on an excel spreadsheet for those who may be interested. They have been collated over several years from BibleGateway translations, taking the best from the many translations provided, and taking further inspiration from Christian Science in their compilation. They cover over a thousand key Bible verses, taken from both the BibleGateway verses for the day, and from the Weekly lessons. Reading all verses from any one book is insightful and motivating. The spreadsheet also includes a genealogy from Adam to Jesus as I have set out, with related notes. Shared with love.
Write to Ken on kengcooper@btinternet.com.
