Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Beatific Berceuses or Cacophanous Concertos?

A twelve-tone lullaby by Arnold Schoenberg, if there were such an anomaly, would be more likely to induce nightmares than sweet dreams. Similarly, only a tin ear would ever confuse Messiaen with Mozart or Stockhausen with Schubert. Notes blending in harmony are, or should be, easy to distiguish from dissonance or atonality. It might be worth considering how often the inharmonies we experience are a result of the clash in our minds of disparate thoughts, speech, or actions which do not blend in concord.

No matter how many pure thoughts we may entertain, a single devilish or even "innocent" impish one can result in a discordant emulsion of sickness, disease, or discord. We should not forget or ignore the treachery of mortal mind, false belief, which would ever attempt to confine (Mrs. Eddy's word) or hedge us about with its unreality as a means of marring and molesting (Mrs. Eddy's words) the pure idea which is God's man, His reflection. The slightest impurity renders the whole impure. It is written that "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2: 10)

Dura lex sed lex. Hard words. Yet we can be grateful that Christ Jesus has shown us the Way, that Mary Baker Eddy has given us the means in Christian Science, and that our dear Father-Mother God has endowed each of us with the necessary ability to work out his own salvation. "The work to be performed is ours,/The strength is all His own." (Hymn 354)

21 comments:

Thanks from AZ said...

Another very well done blog post, blogger. Off to the dictionary, again! to look up that Latin (I think it's Latin) phrase.

Anonymous said...

Goodness but you are prolific. And so knowledgeable about music, too. You are going to educate us in spite of ourselves.
Thanks for a fine blog post,

Near Boston said...

I find your website metaphysically very solid, and I'm so thankful yo are sharing your inspiration with us.
Keep it going!

T. K (Honululu) said...

Really like this entry, especially the last paragraph. Quite uplifting.
Thank you, blogger and God bless your work.

Lynne said...

You do come up with the most attention-grabbing titles. Very well said, as yours always are.
An extremely fresh blog you have here.

Best from Oxford said...

For the benefit of your readers who are wondering about that Latin phrase, I just googled it and this is its meaning: the law is harsh but the law should prevail.
Thanks for a fine blog post.

NYC reader said...

You are obviously not only a dedicated student of the Bible and the writings of our Leader, you are one cultured individual.
Keep at your high-level blogging, blogger.

No name, for now said...

That quotation from the New Testament is right on, and it tells me keeping our thoughts where they belong is a challenging business. But the rewards are great if we're faithful in doing what you bring out.
Thank you,

Betty (Virginia) said...

God bless you and keep you sharing with us, inspired writer. You are doing much to raise the level of thinking about us who, as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science points out, should be deep thinkers. (First page of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures", "The time for thinkers has come."

Patrick said...

An top-flight entry, one I ejoyed reading. You always make me ponder truths more deeply, and for this, I am appreciative.

Practitoner, San Francisco said...

How very dear is our loving heavenly Father for giving us His Holy Son, Christ Jesus. And for revealing to Mary Baker Eddy the Science of Jesus' marvelous demonstrations. Where would I be without God's great gifts?!
Thanks for your latest,

Anonymous said...

Yes, trying to follow in Jesus' footsteps as our religion requires is a hard task at times. But we know where it leads. And it certainly keeps us safe along the way, keeps us aligned with our loving God.
Good job,

Concord said...

Always like seeing what you've been thinking about. A fresh, creative website for sure--where CS writing is concerned.

London (UK) said...

Nicely put, blogger. I do so enjoy those original titles you come up with. Would love to know your background...professor/music critic, or what? Do tell us sometime, won't you?

Nashville said...

A friend of mine in St. Louis said I should visit your blog and I'm glad I did. Find it quite stimulating and worth coming back to again.
Thanks!

C. W. said...

Continuing thanks to you, blogger, for maintaining a consistently high level of blog posts. You are certainly one talented individual!

Thanks from Colorado said...

Excellent offering, whoever you are. Definitely a scholarly CS who is well read and has the ability to express himself (or herself).
Enjoy your blog...

Anonymous said...

You know what I like most about your website? That you give us solid CS--not just fluffy thoughts to "hold to" throughout the day, some magical something that requires almost no thought, and certainly no action.
Thanks much,

Boston reader said...

Nice job you've done here, blogger, as you usually do. There's meat on them bones, unlike what the old perios contain.
We need you!

Anonymous said...

Appreciate all the good you are doing for us CS's out here and hope you keep it going for a long, long time!

Regular visitor said...

Dear Blogger,
Always enjoy seeing your original, talented take on church issues/metaphysical themes.
Thanks a lot.