Violence. It seems inescapable in this age of information. The metaphysical article in a recent Christian Science Monitor addressed this issue, and it mentioned something I had not considered. When Elizabeth Mata looked up the word violence, the definition mentioned traits such as “confusion, roughness, intensity, and unrestraint”. The violence we daily witness in the speech of others (whether it comes from our neighbors or politicians) is rampant with these four features. When the author mentioned this definition, she said the phrase “fruit of the Spirit” came into her thoughts. The full phrase, from the book of Galatians in the Bible is: “But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that.” She ends her writing with these beautiful words: “The radiance of ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ outshines disturbed and disturbing thoughts, which do not originate in God. Like putting out a small spark before a larger fire erupts, each of us can pray to render powerless in our own thinking any small kindling of harshness. We have quite a ways to go before all violence is wiped out. But day by day, we can feel the blessedness of moments washed over with ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ that brings out a strengthened, uplifted calm.” Thank you, Elizabeth Mata, for putting this in perspective for me.
“When you have looked on what seemed terrifying, and seen it change to sights of loveliness and peace; when you have looked on scenes of violence and death, and watched them change to quiet views of gardens under open skies, with clear, life-giving water running happily beside them in dancing brooks that never waste away; who need persuade you to accept the gift of vision? And after vision, who is there who could refuse what must come after? Think but an instant just on this; you can behold the holiness God gave His Son. And never need you think that there is something else for you to see.” A Course in Miracles T-20.VIII.11:1-4
“The understanding of Truth and Love, the Principle which works out the ends of eternal good and destroys both faith in evil and the practice of evil, leads to the discernment of the divine idea.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 561:1-4
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