Christmas 2022
Blessing the Sower and the Seed by Helvi Paasinen Director, Christian Science Nursing
Christ Jesus was a sower-of-seeds, bringing the finest of spiritual seed to human consciousness. These priceless seeds of truth restored health, raised hope and healed hearts. When he preached to a crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children (John 6:1-14), he didn’t count the number of spiritual seeds (truths) that he had to see if there were enough for all of those individuals. The same beautiful seed of Love was given freely to each receptive hearer. When he then asked his incredulous disciples to actually feed everyone, a dear lad produced five barley loaves and two small fishes. As ideas, these loaves and fishes were evidence that the need would be met. Jesus thanked God for them. They were distributed, with the result that everyone was fed - plus there were leftovers.
I have been asking myself what can be learned from Jesus’ example of feeding the multitudes that is both spiritual and humanly practical. How can God’s idea, man, become part of the solution that tenderly nourishes and cares for those who need support? Seeds sown by divine Love must always have the potential to germinate and multiply in deeds of compassion. Christian Science nursing is certainly an expression of this healing Love, continually expanding its embrace as we see that Love is the multiplier of all good.
Hymn 42 in the Christian Science Hymnal begins, “Come, thou all transforming Spirit, Bless the sower and the seed;” Humbly entreating our Father to bless and transform our service into healing works is, I believe, a good description of a Christian Science nurse’s prayer. The multiplication of the loaves and fishes serves as a reminder of what is possible when there are seeming setbacks even as we pray.
Over the summer, I had to learn how these Biblical truths applied to my own practice of Christian Science nursing. We were faced with a sudden staffing shortage of shift-supervisors for several weeks. Those of us in Christian Science nursing management met together and resolved to nurse as a team with all of our other Christian Science nurses - trusting that our other duties were in God’s hands. As one week turned into the next, our work became more joyful, and we found a balancing approach to the care that was sustainable. Even physical challenges of certain staff members were overcome. All of the answers to what appeared to be a potential crisis were found in the work and prayer itself. I asked Becky Barns, Assistant Director of Christian Science Nursing, what she felt was the heart of the demonstration, and she replied: “We responded out of love and support for both the staff members that needed time off, as well as for the ministry and the patients. The strength, joy, commitment and ability were all present as needed. What cannot God do? Everyone (all Glenmont staff) rose to the occasion to support one another. We were brother birds soaring and singing!” I look back upon that time as one of great holiness and expansion of thought – with more seeds to sow and demonstrations to make going forward.
The second verse of Hymn 42 begins, “O, may all enjoy the blessing Which thy holy word doth give;” May all of you enjoy the blessing of this holy holiday season, with a bounty of seed and a harvest of love.