There’s a story in the New Testament about a group of religious authorities bringing a woman caught in adultery to Jesus and saying, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were looking for ways to trap Jesus into being a violator of Moses’ law, for they knew Jesus preached a gospel of love.
After they kept pressing him for an answer, Jesus finally replied, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:4-11, NLT). Embarrassed and ashamed, they all slipped away leaving the woman safe in Jesus’ care.
Aside from the profound moral lesson Jesus taught these cruel accusers about humility and forgiveness, the story is a useful reminder to us all to be discerning about what kind of thoughts we throw toward others.
If we see someone doing something we disapprove of, do we throw thoughts of harsh condemnation, criticism, and hatred toward them, just like the authorities above wanted to stone the woman to death with? Or do we pray for a spiritual perspective that allows us to throw thoughts of love and wisdom their way that helps them reform and become a better person?
What kind of thoughts are you throwing toward others today?
Father-Mother help to cherish good thoughts for everyone. Even those persons who have done me wrong.
Jesus said forgive our debts; as we forgive our debtors.
Mrs. the human history needs to be revised
and the material record espounge.
Do we pray for a spiritual perspective that allows us to throw thoughts of love and wisdom their way that helps them reform and become a better person?
Thanks Evan sir for pondering upon such wonderful question to heal the situation when we confront some disagreeable or argumentative views with others or even friends.As I had argument with my friend regarding her perspective for third person (such as criticism/labelling /judging/or unethical behaviour and much more on character of that third person)
As I read Sentinels and journals and S&H but my friend doesn’t know all Christian Science teachings and I can’t listen any criticism but still being my friend I listen and spoil my readings that man is made in the image and likeness of God and evil is nothingness and I also think not that good for my friend even.I tried also to see my friend and third person as God’s children and harmony is the only law but still resentment or you say cribbing inside me remains for my friend. Thanks for reminding Evan sir for forgiveness and humility and love and wisdom that I need more in my character and exercising spiritual perspective of every thing .
We learn in Christian Science, through Jesus’ teachings and demonstrations of
how divine Love blesses all equally, We all have that boundless love
included within us. We are meant to let that love pour out from within us – to
throw out those loving thoughts to all. The wonderful thing is
that no matter how much of that love we pour out, we can never lose any of
it for ourselves. We are blessed by sharing it with friends and so-called enemies.
It has a real healing power for us all – to feel it, and to express it. If we start our
days filled with love for our fellow man, we can never be affected by someone’
else’s words or actions, but we can bring harmony to light by not reacting,
but by responding with love.
Thank you, Evan, for keeping our thoughts in the spiritual realm where we
know we are loved and safe and help others to feel loved and safe as well.
Great thoughts, Maggie, Thank you! Sometimes those thoughts connect in ways
that we hope they would… one Mind … one Spirit … one Sou. We are surounded
by the natural surround of wonder and sometimes that can be through humor. I
had a friend once who was kayaking on a lake near her home and she said she had
been feeling a bit depressed and alone (Really all one with God and nature altho
she was sort of an atheist, so didn’t see it that way, although she did love nature.
Could never quite figure that one out).
All of a sudden, she was joined by two energetic snapping turtles! Not exactly
what she was thinking about, but nevertheless, it did get her thought away from
her other problems. LOL Blessings come in many different ways.
“As you walk, bless the city in which you live, its government and teachers, its nurses and streetsweepers, its children and bankers, its priests and prostitutes. The minute anyone expresses the least aggression or unkindness to you, respond with a blessing: bless them totally, sincerely, joyfully, for such blessings are a shield which protects them from the ignorance of their misdeed, and deflects the arrow that was aimed at you.
It is impossible to bless and to judge at the same time. So hold constantly as a deep, hallowed, intoned thought that desire to bless, for truly then shall you become a peacemaker, and one day you shall, everywhere, behold the very face of God.” from The Gentle Art of Blessing by Pierre Pradervand
Beautiful and appropriate quote, thank you, Manuela. Love Pierre Pradervand, He was involved with CS for many years and wrote articles for the periodicals.
Practicing this kind of blessing, especially to those who seem to have “done us wrong” may not be at all easy. But it’s the healthiest, most beneficial way for all involved. It frees us from that strong temptation to react in a human will, mortal mind way. It turns the whole situation over to God so we can see things His way.
Last week (SV Nov 8, response to Don) Evan explained that we can notice temptation, catch ourselves if we start to follow the temptation, and return to the better, truer, God way. I’ve been thinking about that and applying it to different situations. Temptation is just a thought/suggestion, it can’t really do anything to us or harm us, or control us — though error paints it as very powerful. But CS reveals its powerlessness.
Blessings to everyone here.
Thanks Manuela for sharing. I loved — bless them totally, sincerely and joyfully.
Song, What the world needs now, is love sweet love.
The song of Love/God permeates thought to heal, restore, revitalize.
“For Love alone is Life.;
And life most seeet, as heart to heart
Speaks kindly when we meet and part.
Hymn p 31 MBE
Thanks Evan for the song of Love you share daily
during the week.
Thank you, M ! Such a lovely poem by Mrs. Eddy. Her keen sense of Love
inspired such peaceful thoughts and is such a treasure for us all. Along this topic
of “throwing thoughts of love to others”:
Nature close up
Smiles it’s loveliness
Through the lens of intricate detail
Where beauty captures
Every speck of grandeur
Closer and closer
Is felt the purpose
Which brings in to focus
Opening our eyes to see …
The vision of
Soul/God’s connection
Where all is divine
Love woven
Within the fabric
Of Life/Spirit’s mystery.
Thanks M for Mrs. Eddy’s lovely song hymn # 31; one of my favorites!
Thanks Carol for your beautifully inspired words !
Thank you!
Thank you, Evan for this excellent post reminding us of our spiritual innocence as a child of God. This is an example of Jesus preaching on the Mount that as human material beings we are all guilty to some level. That is, we all carry a beam in our own eye, while we are all willing to identify the speck in other’s eyes. This is our sin had we no other on our path of righteousness.
Our blessing to counter this misperception is our act of forgiveness of others which would include ourselves – along with the realization that all of God’s creation can never be separate from that act of Love.
Thank you very much Evan and Everyone.
In trying to live good and just lives, in doing what we think is right, others may not
always understand or agree with our motives or thoughts (-for example: losing friends
over pandemic beliefs, etc.)… but who are we or they to judge? really.
The Indian proverb goes that we can not understand another unless we have walked a
mile in someone else’s shoes. We All… Every one of us crave Love and to be cherished
and share this divine Love with others…God’s Love – that spiritual Love that blesses one
and all regardless of who we/they are.
Some mortally made laws still today, like being stoned to death for not wearing a headscarf,
seem preposterous to others. Our mental thoughts of Truth/Love – how can they harm others,
unless others let them?
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Holier than thou, condescending thoughts towards others, as Jesus taught and Evan reminded
us of… is in itself, taking God/Love out of the forefront. We are All Equal in God’s eyes. If
whatever we do, if done with the intention of putting God first and trying to help others, who
can judge over God/Principle? Each of us has a cross to bear, either here or hereafter and
“only GOD can give us peace” (CS Hymn #263) None of us here, with God as our guide, wishes
to harm another human or animal in any way. God is Love. We reflect this Love and that is
so much reflected right here and now. .
“Throwing shade” or reflecting light? by Katherine Stephen:
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/biswr7gq1o
Great article, thanks for sharing! Thank you, Evan, for your important reminder for how to see others.
Excellent article. I love the idea that we are beacons of light where no darkness is. We are all connected to the one source of all good and perfect, self-existent God. As such we can throw off the false idea that we can be separated from that source.
Thanks a lot “J” for the very good and helpful article, so relevant to Evan`s topic up here!
Thank you Evan! It is very important and neccessary to treat oneself not to condem or criticise. The lesson sermon inspires us very much to love our neighbor as ourself. Instead to criticese or condem we should see others as God’s loved, perfect child so as we ourselves are.
today I had such a nice and friendly talk with a woman with a German shepherd dog on the street. I said that it is such a pretty and majestic dog. And then we had a longer talk about our animals and other things. It was just very nice. Before I went to get my car from a far distant parking lot to a near by parking lot I read the lesson and prayed for guidance and to know all people as God’s lovely children. I am very thankful and happy for God’s wonderful day!
That was beautiful, Uta. Dogs give such unconditional Love! Thank you for sharing that with us.
Such a great article. Thank you, J. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1, 2).
J, thanks for the article.
I never heard of “Throwing shade,” or, “Throwing love..”
We know we need to live from Love, it is the words
throw/throwing, that puts mental clarity to our
actions.
I tried to send a comment. It didn’t like my email
address it wouldn’t send it. I hope both don’t go through. Sorry if it happens.
it didn’t
Thanks Evan and Everyone.:)
Evan once again the photo selection is perfect. This lovely man and woman are truly in the moment, expressing the joy of the autumn season. Pure thoughts are circulating and floating like the vibrant leaves.
Evan, this is such an important message. It is so easy to become angry and judgmental over the behavior of others, ignoring the fact that we may be emulating the very behaviors we dislike as we ourselves sit in judgment. Even though I know better, I too easily fall into this mode of thought, I have been praying to see others only as God’s creation in order to counteract these negative thinking errors, and this message today is a lovely reminder.
From the article shared by J , Thank you J … from Mrs. Eddy’s Mis. Writings,
“Hold thy gaze to the light, and the iris of faith, more beautiful than the rainbow
seen from my window at the close of a balmy autumnal day, will span thy
heaven of thought”. … Absolutely Beautiful! What a wonderfully worded
declaration of Truth! So lovely! There are very few things more beautiful
than a rainbow…such an expression of God’s awesomeness.
Thank you Evan, for this very refreshing foto here – it really makes me smile always when I look at it!
It also is refreshing that you say “Throw thoughts of Love towards others”, also here I smile and say to me, wow yes Evan, that`s the only real way to heal! And the third smile on my face is causing the Verse from John 8: 4-11 from the NLT, which I once bought in the internet through Ebay. It says: “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone”. This ” All right” … makes me nearly laugh. It sounds so modern, as if Jesus is saying it in our time. And truely the CHRIST i s saying it in our times, as well!
Thanks very much to all for your lively and inspiring comments this weekend! I enjoyed reading them all!
Such an important reminder! It can seem easy to slip into noticing the absence of good rather than the Presence. Thank you, Evan.