First Church of Christ, Scientist, La Cañada Flintridge, California
Wednesday Meeting Readings
- Matt. 5:8
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- Luke 7:37-48 behold
behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
- Luke 8:1-3
1And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
2And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
- Luke 10:38-42
38¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
- John 11:1, 3, 17, 19, 32-34, 38 It, 39 (to 1st .), 43-45
1Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
... 3Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
... 17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
... 19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
... 32Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
... It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39Jesus said, Take ye away the stone.
... 43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
- John 12:1-5, 7 (to :)
1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
... 7Then said Jesus, Let her alone:
- Mark 14:41 2nd the, 53, 64 And
the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
53¶ And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
... And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
- Mark 15:25, 40, 41 (to ;)
25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
40There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;)
- John 20:1, 11-18 Mary
1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
- I Pet. 1:22
22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures
by Mary Baker Eddy
- SH 324:4
- SH 337:14 Christian
- SH 52:1-5, 9-13
From early boyhood he was about his “Father’s busi-ness.” His pursuits lay far apart from theirs. His mas-3Master’s businesster was Spirit; their master was matter. He served God; they served mammon. His affec -tions were pure; theirs were carnal.
Their imperfections and impurity felt the ever-present rebuke of his perfection and purity. Hence the world’s Purity’s rebukehatred of the just and perfect Jesus, and the 12prophet’s foresight of the reception error would give him.
- SH 314:10-12, 19
The Jews, who sought to kill this man of God, showed plainly that their material views were the parents of their 12The bodily resurrectionwicked deeds. ... This materialism lost sight of the true Jesus; but the faithful Mary saw him, and he 21presented to her, more than ever before, the true idea of Life and substance.
- SH 367:10
This is what is meant by seeking Truth, Christ, not “for the loaves and fishes,” nor, like the Pharisee, with 12Gratitude and humilitythe arrogance of rank and display of scholar-ship, but like Mary Magdalene, from the sum-mit of devout consecration, with the oil of gladness and 15the perfume of gratitude, with tears of repentance and with those hairs all numbered by the Father.
- SH 363:8-24, 31-10
Did Jesus spurn the woman? Did he repel her adora-9tion? No! He regarded her compassionately. Nor was Parable of the creditorthis all. Knowing what those around him were saying in their hearts, especially his host, 12— that they were wondering why, being a prophet, the exalted guest did not at once detect the woman’s immoral status and bid her depart, — knowing this, Jesus rebuked 15them with a short story or parable. He described two debtors, one for a large sum and one for a smaller, who were released from their obligations by their common 18creditor. “Which of them will love him most?” was the Master’s question to Simon the Pharisee; and Simon re-plied, “He to whom he forgave most.” Jesus approved 21the answer, and so brought home the lesson to all, follow-ing it with that remarkable declaration to the woman, “Thy sins are forgiven.”
24 Why did he thus summarize her debt to divine Love? Certainly there was encouragement in the mere fact that she was showing her affection for a man 364 364:1of undoubted goodness and purity, who has since been rightfully regarded as the best man that ever trod this 3planet. Her reverence was unfeigned, and it was mani-fested towards one who was soon, though they knew it not, to lay down his mortal existence in behalf of all 6sinners, that through his word and works they might be redeemed from sensuality and sin.
Which was the higher tribute to such ineffable affec-9tion, the hospitality of the Pharisee or the contrition of Penitence or hospitalitythe Magdalen?
- SH 364:16-19, 25-28
Here is suggested a solemn question, a question indi-cated by one of the needs of this age. Do Christian 18Scientists seek Truth as Simon sought the Saviour, through material conservatism and for personal homage?
On the other hand, do they show their regard for Truth, or Christ, by their genuine repentance, by their 27Genuine repentancebroken hearts, expressed by meekness and human affection, as did this woman?
- SH 365:19, 31
If the Scientist has enough Christly affection to win his own pardon, and such commendation as the Mag-21dalen gained from Jesus, then he is Christian enough to practise scientifically and deal with his patients compas-sionately; and the result will correspond with the spiritual 24intent.
The poor suf -fering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, 366 366:1patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.
- SH 15:26-27
- SH 241:24
- SH 99:23
The calm, strong currents of true spirituality, the 24manifestations of which are health, purity, and self-immolation, must deepen human experience, until the beliefs of material existence are seen to be a bald imposi-27tion, and sin, disease, and death give everlasting place to the scientific demonstration of divine Spirit and to God’s spiritual, perfect man.
- SH 323:6-9
- SH 341:8
- SH 467:13
- SH 497:24 And
Hymn 15: “As gold by fire is tested”
Hymn 381: “What brightness dawned in resurrection”
Hymn 14: “Sing praise, O waking heart" (2nd verse)