Lift the "veil"of matter to see spiritual reality

Lift the veil to see spiritual reality, here, now.
Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Germany

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Lift the veil to see spiritual reality, here, now.
CedarS MET, Metaphysical Application Ideas, for: Reality
The Christian Science Bible Lesson for September 19 - 25, 2011
by Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Germany
RickStewartCS@aol.com +49-351-312-4736
[bracketed italics by Warren Huff, CedarS Director and Newsletter Editor]

[Editor's Note: The following application ideas for this week, and the Possible Sunday School Topics that will 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 thanks to Pascal, in German thanks to Helga and Manfred or in Spanish thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio. YOU CAN SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]

Golden Text and Responsive Reading: Psalm 48:1, 2, 3, 8, 9-14
In this week's Bible Lesson on Reality we are introduced to the lesson by Psalm 48 in both the Golden Text and the Responsive Reading. I found myself asking continually, "Why Psalm 48?" What is the subject of that Psalm and what does it have to do with our lesson on Reality?

Psalms 46 - 48 are often associated together. It is not known exactly who wrote these Psalms or when they were written. But the subject of these Psalms is clear; it has to do with the saving of the city of Jerusalem. Some Bible scholars think these Psalms may refer to the time the Assyrians under King Sennacherib attacked Jerusalem (2 Kings 19). This was 701 BC and was the same time the Prophet Isaiah was writing. And since some of the same language is used, there are some who say Isaiah was the Psalms' author. Here you can access an interesting article on this topic.
www.easyenglish.info/psalms/psalm046-048-taw.rtf

Most commentaries I looked at agreed that the subject of Psalm 48 was Jerusalem ("the city of God), and that the Mount Zion referred to was not a separate location, but also referred to the whole of Jerusalem. This Psalmist (possibly even the prophet Isaiah) refers to the actual physical locations and also the symbolic nature of these locations. Ancient Jerusalem was evidently beautiful and especially when approached from the north side. And this is the direction that attacking armies or kings would come from, mainly because deep valleys were found on the other sides of Jerusalem. Strategically armies seldom attack from a lower position. So they would plan their attacks from the north. And what these attackers saw made some of them just turn around and go home. The north side of Mount Zion was awe-inspiring, a mighty citadel, fortifications, bulwarks. For more information see the following link:
http://bible.cc/psalms/48-2.htm

There was also another defense residing in Mount Zion, the presence of a saving God. Here resided what the ancient Jews saw as the heart of their relationship to God, the Ark of the Covenant. Here was where the Jews remembered the God that had sustained and defended them in Egypt and that brought them out of slavery there, in the desert, and in their trek to the Promised Land. These defenses were to be found in acknowledging and remembering [giving loving attention to] the saving power of the presence of God.

But this week's lesson rather than just a history lesson about ancient Jerusalem, actually introduces us to an even more impressive view. A view of the eternal, universal City of God, the divine reality of God's creating. Woven through the lesson this week is the view or vision that John had while on the Island of Patmos. A view that is a "revelation," a "lifting of the veil" regarding reality. Rather than the end-time doom and gloom view of the "Apocalypse" often portrayed in Hollywood movies, we find in this week's lesson a clearer view of eternal reality. We are introduced to a view of the "City of God" that transcends mortal vision. Like John of Patmos we can learn from the "lifting of the veil" of matter to see the spiritual reality, here and now.

And how grateful we can be for Mrs. Eddy's wonderful chapter on
The "Apocalypse (Greek: ἀποκάλυψις apokálypsis; "lifting of the veil" or "revelation"). It is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse "

Section 1: John on Patmos, the revelation of reality.
Revelation 1:9 says: "I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

This series of visions of the Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to John while he was banished to the Isle of Patmos. This small island is thirty miles off the coast of Asia Minor in the Aegean Sea. It is only about six miles by ten miles. It is rocky, infested with snakes, lizards, and scorpions. Since it had little commercial value; it was used by the Roman Empire for a penal colony where were housed the more desperate criminals, political prisoners, etc. And in this case, John.

Here in this hostile, unfriendly, barren environment John got a glimpse of reality. As Science and Health tells us, in citation S-1, this reality "is in God and His creation, harmonious and eternal." [Click here for a glimpse of CedarS new Mediterranean (Ski) Sea. The spiritual-insight Isle of Patmos is the closest island in the upper body of water (Mediterranean) that wraps around the camp and features Cable Skiing, kayaking, island hopping, and other watersports.]

Just like John, there are many individuals who have discovered a deep, spiritual reality while imprisoned [or being alone (or all-one) with God in a solo experience.] A Brazilian friend of mine found Christian Science while he was in Federal Prison in the United States. He had begun as a young man bringing different products back and forth between the US and Brazil. He was quite successful. And then someone suggested that he bring in some illegal drugs. His clients were successful business people and professionals. But he was the one caught and arrested. During this time he happened upon a Christian Science Sentinel. An article by a twelve year old girl talked about our "real" identity. He loved the new vision he was gaining of himself. He was seeing a spiritual reality right there in prison.

As he continued to read and study this new "revelation," other inmates began to ask him to pray for them. Many, many healings took place. He began to hold church services. Sometimes there would be 200 in attendance. When he was released he was told to return to Brazil and never come back to the United States. This was heart-breaking for him; he loved visiting in America. A little while later he received a job offer as a tour guide. He needed a Visa to visit the States. At first he refused to apply and then at the insistence of his employer he applied for a Visa and it was granted. While in the States, he visited the Federal Building to check on his record. What he discovered was that his record had been completely expunged. ["The human history needs to be revised, and the material record expunged." Retrospection and Introspection 22:1] There was no paper or computer record of any criminal offense. His new "view of reality" had established his true spiritual identity, his complete innocence in the eyes of God.

When I lectured in Brazil I lectured for the Christian Science branch church that he had helped establish. A spiritual vision of reality was manifest in a present reality that has blessed many.

Section 2: Seeing our way from the tribulation in matter to reality.
I have never forgotten a testimony I heard in my hometown church years ago. The testifier, Mary Beth, told of an auto accident. Her car was totaled, a complete wreck. She was unhurt, but heartbroken. She called a Christian Science practitioner to pray for her. The practitioner agreed and simply said, "Look for the blessing." Mary Beth in her "great tribulation" (B-4), did not find that assignment promising. But obediently she began to pray to see the blessing. She first was grateful that she and the other driver were unharmed. She found other things to be grateful for and soon what looked like tribulation changed. Eventually she ended up with a much better car, and a certainty that even "in tribulation" we can "see" the blessing [and so with never-waning joy, "stand in robes of white" (innocence) B-4 and Hymn 19.]

In citation B-6 we see how Jesus was able to lift a man out of blindness as he washed away all sense of guilt, condemnation, and blame. [When tested by his disciples' Multiple Choice Nonsense question, ("Who did sin (A.) this man (or B.) his parents that he was born blind? --John 9:2) Jesus refused to buy into the false premise of the reality of imperfection and instead created and chose "C. None of the above, or Does Not Apply." Make this mental DNA translation (that it Does Not Apply) everytime you hear the deification of genetics as supposedly determined by DNA! By his healing method Christ Jesus, "the most scientific man that ever trod the globe" shows us how to "take the plunge" into spiritual healing instead of just alleviation of symptoms. "He plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause." (S&H 313:23) Jesus was showing us the spiritual cause for disease when he spat on the dust according to Bible scholar, B. Cobbey Crisler. Cobbey said that by spitting on the dust he was showing contempt (as one still shows it today in the Middle East) for a supposed dust (or material) origin of man as described in Genesis 2. By anointing it on the eyes of the blind man, far from advocating the medicinal properties of spit, Jesus was showing us a physical connection to the real cause of the blindness that needed to be washed away with a bit of man's D.I.A.L (Divine Image And Likeness) origin from the 1st chapter of Genesis. (Gen. 1:26)]
In citation S-6 Mrs. Eddy explains how Christ Jesus lifted people to a higher self-image, where they could catch a glimpse of their true identity as the image of God.

Section 3: "Joshua fit (or at) the battle of Jericho!"
The great walls of matter can sometime loom very large. How many of us have faced what seemed as an insurmountable obstacle to our spiritual progress? It might be an illness, a diagnosis, a financial burden, a family problem, or a national emergency. Obedience to the simplest command or guidance from God can bring us right out of that problem and the walls of matter can just tumble down.

In citation B-8 John writes of the seven angels sounding seven trumpets. In citation B-9 Jeremiah cautions us to listen to the sound of the trumpets. And in citation B-11 the inspiring story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho tells us it was in Joshua's obedience to God that caused the walls of the city to come tumbling down.
The fact is no matter how real the material resistance appears before us, obedience to God brings us right through. In heeding the call of Science, the sound of the trumpet, we rise above matter to spiritual reality. In Rudimental Divine Science, Mrs. Eddy writes:"Is healing the sick the whole of Science? Healing physical sickness is the smallest part of Christian Science. It is only the bugle-call to thought and action, in the higher range of infinite goodness." [Rud. 2:22]

Even though Mrs. Eddy does state that healing the sick is not the whole of Science, but just the bugle-call, we need to make sure that we see the value of bugle calls.

Here is an interesting historical example: During the Spanish-American war, the 10th US Calvary had been training in Lakeland, Florida. They were dispatched on ships from Tampa arriving off the coast of Cuba on June 22, 1898. The ship voyage had been difficult on the horses and mules. The only way to off-load the horses was to shove them over board. Confused, many of the horses began to swim out to open sea. A quick thinking bugler sounded the Bugle command, "Right Wheel." The horses then turned right and began to swim toward shore. http://www.spanamwar.com/10thcavhist.htm

Healing might only be the "bugle-call to thought and action," but it often is what gets us going in the right direction. And when the call is made in obedience to God, walls of material resistance just come tumbling down. You might enjoy this link to a historic rendition of "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho", from Mahalia Jackson:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPZuWzZvoYQ

Section 4: John sees and hears the "still, small voice."
The Revelation of Jesus Christ continues to unfold to John. His isolation on the Isle of Patmos in no way limited his ability to hear. Just so we begin to learn in Science that no physical condition, no condition of matter, no geographic location, can limit us from hearing God's voice, the voice of Truth.

When my son Noah was between the ages of two and four, he and I were together all day long. I would receive telephone calls for prayerful help and often Noah was right by my side. Many times I would be talking with patients and sharing spiritual ideas with them and Noah would tell me directly, "Papa, tell them to listen to the still, small voice." And he was quite insistent. If I continued to talk to the patient and had not passed along Noah's message he would once again insist. I learned to listen to him on this because when I did finally listen, usually the patient would say, "oh, that's just right, thanks." And often healings were very quick also. I did learn to accept the message even from a small, unexpected source.

Over the years I have heard many stories of those who have "heard" the message of Truth contained in Science and Health. Sometimes even when first rejecting this "little book," the individuals have been called back to its message. One friend had been given a copy of Science and Health as a gift. She immediately put it on a shelf in her library. It stayed on the shelf unopened for some time. She passed through many trials and the book stayed there. And then, in one particularly challenging situation, with no seeming hope for solution, she walked past the bookcase and the book literally flew from the shelf into her hands. This time she read the book and found the help she needed. And she has never stopped reading the book to this day.

A particularly moving account is found in the family of long-time Christian Science practitioner, Doris Henty. The family was in great need of healing: her mother could do no work and spent most of her time on a couch, her brother was not expected to live because of tuberculosis, and Doris herself had a facial affliction and growth that threatened her death at any time. Her father was loaned a copy of Science and Health and returned the gift unopened. Later feeling somewhat guilty he purchased his own copy at a Reading Room in Manchester, England. Some time later his wife picked up the book, began to read and put the truths into practice. The result, healing for all. And years of public healing practice in the life of Doris Henty. You can read the wonderful account of this family on my blog: http://rickstewartcs.blogspot.com/2011/09/doris-dufour-henty-cs.html

Section 5: The temple veil opened.
The Book of Revelation is often seen as a letter written by John to the Christian church of his day, especially the seven churches of Asia. It was probably written in the latter part of the first century although there is some discussion about dates. And the style of writing in symbols is recognized as a way of making the message understandable by those in the Church and hidden from the authorities. A form of protection in a time of persecution. After all, John was in exile on the Isle of Patmos, a Roman penal colony.

It is interesting to think of this Book as an unveiling, a revealing when it is actually written in a way to hide its intended message. And the specific message in this section actually deals with doing away with the veil in a time of persecution.

Is there a paradox here? A revelation or unveiling while at the same time protecting and hiding? Perhaps not such a mystery after all. Remember I live in what was formerly a part of the German Democratic Republic, known here as the DDR, and in the west as East Germany. Christian Science was outlawed and churches and church meetings were outlawed during this forty year period, 1949 - 1989. But can a persecuting government actually stop the practice of a faith? Public meetings perhaps can be stopped, but aren't there ways to continue a faith?

Just two weeks ago we heard lots of examples of how it is possible to hold on to the Gospel, or to the practice of Christian Science even in the midst of persecution. Christian Scientists from the former DDR were invited to meet with the [new] President of the Mother Church, Marta Greenwood, C.S.B.
Two meetings were held, one in Magdeburg and one in Dresden. Many of those gathered had lived Christian Science in the midst of persecution and they shared their stories with Marta. It was thrilling to hear how Church had actually "lived" in the forbidden times. And also to see how it continues to live in the lives of Christian Scientists today. But now with openness and free sharing!! You can read some of Marta's thoughts regarding these meetings at her blog spot: https://community.christianscience.com/community/church-alive/presidentsblog

[In reinforcement of this, citation] S-19 states: "The very circumstance which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares." S&H page 574.

Section 6: [Honor the Ultimate Authority of God and His Christ]
This section shows how the Gospel, the message of the Christ, Church lives in the midst of persecution. Not all "in authority" are blind to the power and presence of the Christ.

Citation B-18 in Matthew 8 tells of a Roman authority, a Centurion and his search for healing for a beloved servant. A man in authority recognized the ultimate authority of the Christ. And the result, healing. In this way healing can actually serve as a unifier, avoiding debate and red tape, it simply brings comfort and harmony in the midst of conflict.

We heard of an example of the power of healing and contact with the authorities in our meeting with Marta. It was an example that stood out to me of how one can live and share Christian Science even in a time of persecution. Elisabet told us the experience of she and her husband regarding Stasi visits. (Stasi were the secret police, the state security police.) A Stasi agent had paid them several visits. These visits were only because they were listed as Christian Scientists. At one point the Stasi agent complained of a very painful stomach situation. He asked Elisabet and her husband how they would deal with this in "their" way. What could he read? Elisabet and her husband wisely replied, "You already have all of our books. If you want to find out, read them." They were certain this man had kept the books he had confiscated. The same agent paid them another visit and complained further about his painful stomach. Elisabet's husband simply said, "Perhaps you do not have the stomach for the job you are doing?" Several weeks later Elisabet and her husband were stopped by a normal traffic policeman and they recognized him as their Stasi visitor. It turned out that he had changed his police service and that he had been healed in Christian Science. Healing? Our secret weapon against the persecution of materiality? And accomplished through the recognition of the real authority, Christ.

Section 7: [See the spiritual here and now!]
This section clearly illustrates how we can see this lifting of the veil, this revelation of the "New Jerusalem," here and now. A vision of a city governed by God, in a Light that never fails. This vision, this revelation is not and cannot be limited by geography, by social situations, by society, by fear, false belief, or evil of any kind. Love is the light thereof. Isn't this a powerful message in praying for and rebuilding our cities, our societies? In one of her earlier blogs, Marta Greenwood shared her thoughts as regards the rioting in some of Britain's cities: https://community.christianscience.com/community/church-alive/presidentsblog/blog/2011/08

Citation S-26 reminds us: "The Revelator was on our plane of existence, while yet beholding what the eye cannot see, -- that which is invisible to the uninspired thought. This testimony of Holy Writ sustains the fact in Science, that the heavens and earth to one human consciousness, that human consciousness which God bestows, are spiritual, while to another, the unillumined human mind, the vision is material. This shows unmistakably that what the human mind terms matter and spirit indicates states and stages of consciousness. Accompanying this scientific consciousness was another revelation, even the declaration from heaven, supreme harmony, that God, the divine Principle of harmony is ever with men, and they are His people. Thus man was no longer regarded as a miserable sinner, but as the blessed child of God. Why? Because St. John's corporeal sense of the heavens and earth had vanished, and in place of this false sense was the spiritual sense, the subjective state by which he could see the new heaven and new earth, which involve the spiritual idea and consciousness of reality." Science and Health, page 573

We sometimes play a game in our family, "I see what you don't see, and it is....." Couldn't we say to the beloved author of Revelation, "I see what you see and it is spiritual? The spiritual reality of heaven and earth as God reveals it, openly, for all to see, here and now and always!!"