Reflection

Written by Florence Irene Gubbins

On page 516 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes, "As the reflection of yourself appears in the mirror, so you, being spiritual, are the reflection of God." In considering this simile, we cannot help seeing that the substance of the reflection lies entirely in the original. The reflection has no substance of its own apart from or independent of the original. Neither can the reflection act independently. In fact, one might say that the essential characteristic of a reflection is perfect obedience. A disobedient or rebellious reflection could be conceived of only as an absurdity or impossibility. Can a reflection exist without an original? Is not the very existence of a reflection dependent on its inseparability from its original? Again, a tree by the side of a lake might be weighted down with a heavy fall of snow, yet the reflection in the water, while corresponding in appearance to the original, would not have any weight.

No action can start with the reflection in a mirror. The mirror repeats exactly any action of the original object in front of it. Even so, "the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." Christian Science has revealed the fact that man is coexistent with God. So there was never a time when man was not, because there never was a time when God was not. Cause to be cause must have an effect. One may have stood beside a still lake and seen the trees so perfectly reflected in the water that it was difficult to distinguish between the reflection and the original. Then, perhaps, a sudden breeze sprang up and ruffled the still waters. What happened to the reflection? It apparently disappeared, and reappeared only after the agitation ceased. Thought must be still and wait on God if we would gain the spiritual consciousness which is Mind's reflection; then the spiritual image will appear, distinct and clear. Can a reflection change the nature of the original? Has it the power to do anything of itself? A reflection can do nothing but give back the likeness of the original. As our revered Leader, Mrs. Eddy, has written on page 259 of Science and Health, "The divine nature was best expressed in Christ Jesus, who threw upon mortals the truer reflection of God and lifted their lives higher than their poor thought-models would allow,—thoughts which presented man as fallen, sick, sinning, and dying."

The writer once had a room which received no sunlight except by reflection from a mirror. This mirror was in the direct line of the sun and so reflected the sunlight to the room. A lighthouse is lighted by a lamp, and mirrors are made use of, along with a lens, to save and intensify the light of the lamp so that it may be seen far out at sea. So, each individual reflection of good enhances the well-being of every other one. Thus we see the real man as the reflection of God, eternally safe in the Science of unalterable being.

Jesus taught his great lessons by symbols and parables drawn from the familiar sights of his environment—a shepherd with his sheep, a sower with his seed, or a vineyard with its husbandman; yet any symbol taken to illustrate spiritual truths can give us but a hint of reality. A mother's love for her child but hints at the divine Love which embraces all creation in infinite tenderness. Our Leader says (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 150): "Stand by the limpid lake, sleeping amid willowy banks dyed with emerald. See therein the mirrored sky and the moon ablaze with her mild glory. This will stir your heart. Then, in speechless prayer, ask God to enable you to reflect God, to become His own image and likeness, even the calm, clear, radiant reflection of Christ's glory, healing the sick, bringing the sinner to repentance, and raising the spiritually dead in trespasses and sins to life in God."

END. 

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