Radiation and Supply BERTHA V. ZEREGA          In Jesus' beautiful utterance which is recorded in the fourth chapter of John, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work," there is a lesson on supply which is of great value to those who are at work today in the Father's vineyard, for by it Jesus attested to the sustaining, nourishing, and vitalizing power of spiritual radiation — doing the works. To perceive the underlying truth contained in his words it is helpful to review briefly the circumstances which led up to this inspired declaration of the Master.          In the chapter above referred to we read that in departing from Judea to go into Galilee, Jesus and his disciples were obliged to travel through Samaria, a section of the country proverbially hostile not only to the teachings of the Master but also to the doctrine of the scribes and Pharisees, and against whose prejudiced citizens Jesus had warned his disciples when sending them away into surrounding cities and villages to preach and to heal, saying, "Into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not." And yet right here in the city of Sychar, in the midst of pronounced opposition to the truth, Jesus, discerning the spiritual receptivity of the Samaritan woman who came to draw water out of the well on which he was seated, was able to impart an inspiring message of comfort and hope to this people; for so impressed were many of the Samaritans with what the woman told them of her conversation with Jesus that they came to hear more of his teachings. Always intent upon doing his Father's will by radiating the truth upon all with whom he came in contact, Jesus did not wait until he had reached Galilee to make use of his healing ability, but seizing the first opportunity which presented itself in the unpromising district of Samaria, he reflected so much spiritual light and love that the mental barriers of prejudice and unbelief were dissolved, and his former antagonists now offered him the hospitality of their homes, where he remained two days.          No wonder that after his spiritual discourse with the woman at the well Jesus could say to his disciples when they came offering him food, "I have meat to eat that ye know not of." He who had been weary with his journey when they left him to buy food, was on their return so refreshed and invigorated by the spiritual act of imparting the Word, that he could direct the thoughts of these students to the contemplation of man's existence in Mind — as God's idea of Himself, divinely conceived, nourished, and sustained in Spirit, wholly apart from the beliefs of the flesh, the man whose life purpose it is to radiate the truth that God's work is finished, perfect, and eternally present for all of His children to recognize and to enjoy. To Jesus, then, there was nothing depleting in the activity of giving out, since energy, understood as spiritual potency, is exhaustless. Radiation, which is only another word for reflection, was his life mission among mankind. He taught his disciples that Life was neither in the body nor in an abundance of material possessions. True living consists in actively reflecting and diffusing mental light, spiritual ideas, which through the operation of divine law illuminate and dispel the dark ignorance manifest as sickness, limitation, sin, and death. Jesus proved that by letting his light — his knowledge of the truth — shine compassionately upon men he was liberating them through his works from bondage to material beliefs, and was himself thereby practically fed, clothed, and sheltered. Through his demonstrations of God's power and goodness, substance and supply became identified with, because directly dependent upon, right mental activity, the radiation of infinite Love, Truth, and Life.          On page 307 of "Miscellaneous Writings" our Leader says: "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment." When we look to God as the source of all our happiness, and pray each day for more spiritual strength, grace, and understanding to do His will; when we consecrate our lives — our aims and affections — to the inspiring task of intelligently finishing each day the work which God sends us to do; when we welcome every problem which presents itself for solution as an opportunity for individual advancement in the knowledge of God and His laws, we need fear no evil, no lack of any good thing; for we are putting into operation in our lives the unfailingly available law of compensation. We need only come into harmony with this law to receive its infinite blessings. By using the one talent which we possess, — radiating even the least understanding of the truth which has come to us in demonstration, — we find ourselves correspondingly saved from discord and limitation; for the unselfed effort to do good inevitably reverts to the progress and protection of the earnest worker in divine metaphysics.          "To love, and to be loved," as we read on page 127 of "Miscellaneous Writings," "one must do good to others, The inevitable condition whereby to become blessed, is to bless others: but here, you must so know yourself, under God's direction, that you will do His will even though your pearls be downtrodden." The will of the Father is that each of His children shall reflect the divine nature, illuminating the darkness of materiality. This healing consciousness, or spiritual self-knowledge, becomes our refuge as the belief in the power of evil is courageously combated and overcome and as we glean from every experience a lesson which is priceless in its accumulative treasures of watchfulness, patience, meekness, moral courage, love, and peace. We acquire these spiritual riches as unfolding wisdom detaches thought from a material, personal sense of existence, to unite it with divine, impersonal Life and Love.          Spiritual self-expression demonstrates supply, because it is the reflection of infinite Love, and abides confidently in communion with divine Principle, which cherishes its own ideas. We win our way into this infolding presence, immune from the distorted beliefs of poverty, loneliness, discord, and oppression, as we learn to trust the activity of radiation, and fearlessly, freely, give of our substance — our time, our financial support, our mental and moral assistance, our entire cooperation — to the cause of Christian Science. We are working for this great cause in every least effort to radiate love to others, in every sincere attempt to live up to whatever demands are made upon us. The doing of our part is individual radiation. Let us guard against mental apathy and self-indulgence, which would rob us of our ever increasing opportunities to reflect more light; and let us destroy the base argument of self-pity which would mesmerize us into believing that we have nothing to share and, therefore, nothing to radiate, with the scientific declaration: "I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing" (Miscellany, p. 165). When wearied with our journey in the Samaria of barren prospects, let us welcome the first opportunity which comes to us to reflect the truth, — share of our substance, — whether in word or in deed, and in thus seeking to bless another we shall be abundantly blessed.   "Radiation and Supply" by Bertha V. Zerega Christian Science Sentinel, October 26, 1918

 

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