Two healings in one

When I was a seminary student in training to become a military chaplain, I often had lively conversations with some of my fellow students who were interested in finding out more about Christian Science. These conversations were open and sincere, and I welcomed the opportunity both to explain more of the theology of Christian Science as well as to help clear up misunderstandings about its teachings.

There was one individual, however, who took quite a combative approach toward Christian Science and didn’t miss an opportunity to put it down—even overtly in class. I was always cordial, but I didn’t realize at first how much this person’s attitudes were sparking some resentment in my own thought.

One weekend not long into the semester, I was invited to chaperone a skiing trip in New Hampshire. Having grown up in Iowa, I had never skied before. The conditions were quite icy and not ideal for new skiers. At one point, I found myself cartwheeling down a slope, and I realized after I picked myself up that I’d injured one of my arms. By the end of the night I couldn’t move that arm at all. I sat out skiing on Sunday and welcomed this quiet time to address the situation in prayer.

On Monday morning, I began studying the Christian Science Bible Lesson for the new week, which contained a wonderful passage from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1). I immediately saw the applicability of this truth to the situation with my combative friend. First I needed to acknowledge and affirm the spiritual identity of both of us—that we were created and governed by divine Love. From this followed the realization of the spiritual fact that there was no cause for condemnation, from either one of us.

Later that day, just prior to going into the seminar, a fellow student noticed I couldn’t move my arm and commented to me that I might want to be prepared for some reaction from our friend. I began to share with her what the Scripture had meant to me that morning and that I was expecting a healing. She thought I meant just a physical healing of my arm. But I was also thinking of the relationship with this individual. I explained to her that while physical healing was important, I knew there was more to the healing.

We continued to talk, and I told her that Science and Health instructs those who seek truth to “include moral as well as physical belief in your efforts to destroy error” (Science and Health, p. 418). The healing of condemnation and animosity was an integral part of this experience. I shared that the passages on love I’d studied had given me an assurance that love heals the heart—the false sense of things harbored inwardly that perpetuate clashes and misunderstanding. The physical healing is more like a byproduct of the more essential moral and spiritual progress. My friend delighted in that comment, and she remarked, “Oh, now I get it; you can’t heal someone you don’t love!”

We entered the classroom just a few moments later, and because she was helping me take off my coat, it became obvious that I was not able to move my arm. Sure enough, our friend made some pointed comments about Christian Scientists’ saying evil is nothing and then doing nothing when they were hurting. But because of my morning prayer, my study of the Bible Lesson, and the discussion with the other student, it occurred to me for the first time that this individual wouldn’t be so upset if he didn’t care. I felt a deep sense of love for him and an abiding recognition of God’s presence right there. Any sense of resentment I’d been feeling vanished. As the truths I’d prayed with flooded my thought, with conviction and authority I lovingly assured him, “I’m not doing nothing. I’m doing the most powerful thing you can possibly do—I’m praying!” At that moment there was an audible cracking sound in my arm. I began to move it and noticed that even the discoloration had disappeared. My friend’s face changed visibly, as did his tone. From that moment on, he showed a warmth and respect that lasted for the duration of the term.

I’ve continued to find, particularly in our relations with others, that healing in Christian Science makes the case for its teachings and is a powerful mouthpiece for its theology.

Janet Horton | Ocala, Florida, US