Good Friday and Easter Blessings from Unity Church of Peace

Greetings!

 

For this final lesson in our Lenten series, I would like to share the words of Unity co-founder, Charles Fillmore, from his book, Keep a True Lent. The following is his lesson for Good Friday. I have updated his language a bit, but for the most part, the words are his.

butterfly

Jesus' crucifixion on Calvary was a final step in the work that had been going on in Him for thirty-three years. When He arose from the tomb, Jesus was entirely free from the carnal, or human ego-mind, with all its limitations. By this time, Jesus had overcome all of the material human tendencies which He had taken on, in order that He might complete His work, which was to free the human race from its bondage.

 

When we look at the Easter story metaphysically, we see that the word crucifixion means the crossing out in consciousness of certain errors that have become fixed states of mind. We see that it is the demonstration by a master of the final extinction of the personal ego- mind, the giving up of the whole human personality in order that the Christ Mind may be expressed in all its fullness. This process is represented by the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Calvary means "the place of a skull." The earthly ego-mind has taken over the brain and its skull and it is here that the final battle is fought. Every time we give up error, or false beliefs, there is a crucifixion within us.

 

The three days that Jesus was in the tomb represent the three steps in overcoming error. First, nonresistance; second, the taking on of divine activity, or receiving the will of God; third, the assimilation and fulfillment of the divine will. (Note from Nita: please remember that, in our teachings, the "will of God" is not something being imposed upon us from outside of ourselves. If, in any given moment, we think of all of the possible choices we could make, Divine will is simply the choice that will lead to the highest and best outcome for all concerned.)

 

I release the self that I may unite with the Selfless. I give up the mortal that I may attain the immortal. I dissolve the thought of the physical body that I may realize the spiritual body. This is a mental process with a physical effect.

 

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me." Psalm 23:4, NRSV

 
Thank you for joining us on this year's exploration of the Lenten season. If you would like to join with others on Good Friday or Easter Sunday, the following services will be available:

Friday, April 22, 12:00noon: Our sanctuary will be open from shortly before noon until approximately 1:30, for prayer, meditation, and contemplation. At 12:10, I will guide a contemplative exploration of the final "words" of Jesus as he began his transitional experience. (please note that no childcare will be available for this meditative experience)

Sunday, April 24, 10:30am: Our Easter Sunday celebration will include music, prayer, meditation, and a White Stone ceremony. Jesus, the man from Nazareth, was revealed and reintroduced to us as Christ Jesus through his experience of overcoming the illusion of death. During the White Stone ceremony, Spirit will reveal your new "name" for the coming year. We will also enjoy our last-Sunday-of-the-month potluck after service.

 

"Forgetting the things that are behind, I realize I am strong, positive, powerful, wise, loving, fearless, free spirit.  

I am God's perfect child."  

Chas. Fillmore, Keep a True Lent