A rebuke that heals

Heeding the corrective messages of Christ, Truth, enables us to take a higher, more peace-bringing road.

A rebuke that heals I have always loved how Christian Science is based on the teachings of Christ Jesus as found in the Bible. Jesus taught his followers by his remarkable example, including innumerable healings, as well as through his sermons and parables. And the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science – especially “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” – help us understand the spiritual import of Jesus’ teachings and the inspired Word of the whole Bible.

One example of Jesus’ teachings is found in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus is invited to Simon the Pharisee’s house for a meal. A woman in the city with a questionable reputation learns that Jesus will be there, and she goes as well, taking the opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to him while Simon looks on disapprovingly.

She washes Jesus’ feet with her repentant tears, wipes them with her long hair, and anoints them with costly ointment (see Luke 7:36-50). In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy provides her exegesis of this remarkable scene in the first two and a half pages of the chapter titled “Christian Science Practice.” She compares and contrasts the repentant and reverent actions of the woman, whom many have since identified with Mary Magdalene, with the arrogant and judgmental thoughts and actions of Simon.

She points to the woman’s example as expressing the qualities most desirable for Christian healing, before turning to the reader with this poignant observation: “Do Christian Scientists seek Truth as Simon sought the Saviour, through material conservatism and for personal homage? Jesus told Simon that such seekers as he gave small reward in return for the spiritual purgation which came through the Messiah. If Christian Scientists are like Simon, then it must be said of them also that they love little.

“On the other hand, do they show their regard for Truth, or Christ, by their genuine repentance, by their broken hearts, expressed by meekness and human affection, as did this woman? If so, then it may be said of them, as Jesus said of the unwelcome visitor, that they indeed love much, because much is forgiven them” (p. 364). If I’m honest, there have been moments when I’ve acted like Simon.

Did Jesus love Mary more than Simon? Was he capable of beholding anything other than the perfect man? Science and Health says, “Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals” (pp.

476-477). As the Messiah, Christ Jesus helped individuals see themselves more clearly and take a step more spiritual. The woman’s love and affection, as well as her genuine repentance, won his absolution of her sins.

Simon’s self-righteous callousness warranted a rebuke, but the rebuke provided Simon the opportunity to see the situation more clearly, to repent, and to love more going forward. I’m grateful for all the moments when the Christ, Truth, has lifted me out of a material perspective, whether through absolution or merited rebuke. Many years ago I found myself in a business situation where self-righteous indignation seemed to get the best of me.

The board members of the non-profit I worked for made a decision I strongly disagreed with. I told the executive director I was going to call the chair of the board to share my perspective. I said, “If they fire me, so be it.”

I made the call before the executive director could stop me, and let the chair of the board know in no uncertain terms how misguided I felt the decision was and how it completely missed an opportunity to acknowledge the good work of the organization’s volunteers. When I was done, I hung up and sat back in my office chair. That’s when a Christly rebuke gave me an opportunity to see the situation more clearly.

I heard, “Eric, you can be right as rain, but as soon as you let go of the hand of divine Love, you are dead wrong.” My self-righteousness was completely disarmed. I instantly saw the situation from a more spiritual perspective and felt genuine remorse for my actions.

I told the executive director what had happened, and immediately called the board chair to apologize. Thanks to the lesson learned and the love and affection of that board member, I worked at the organization for many more years, never feeling the need to lash out like that again. In the words of Isaiah, “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low” (40:4).

Mary’s valley of sin was exalted and Simon’s mountain of pride was made low through the love of God. Nothing is beyond the healing touch of Christ. Adapted from an article published in the July 2026 issue of The Christian Science Journal.