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Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Overcoming self

 In the Christian Science Sentinel dated 16th February 2026, Tony Lobl writes:

For our own sake and the sake of those near and far whom we wish to see blessed, every step of overcoming self through the light of Christ is lessening the darkness in collective human consciousness.

As I read this, I was reminded of Christ Jesus’ teaching in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5: 14):

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (NRSVue)

It may seem that being the “light of the world” diverges from “overcoming self”. But it’s not the human self which shines; it’s allowing the Christ light to shine through us and our work that lessens the darkness of despair, depression, and despotism, and defuses un-Christlike behaviour.

We become the transparency, as explained by Mary Baker Eddy in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:

The manifestation of God through mortals is as light passing through the window-pane. The light and the glass never mingle, but as matter, the glass is less opaque than the walls. The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality — much error — in order to become a better transparency for Truth. Then, like a cloud melting into thin vapor, it no longer hides the sun.
(SH 295:16)

The more light, the less darkness.

Collective human consciousness benefits from this unselfed, focused, unstoppable Christly light of love which shines through each one of God’s children to heal, harmonise, clarify, forgive, and empower. This force is irresistible.

The Christ is here, all dreams of error breaking,

Unloosing bonds of all captivity. 

(Rosa M. Turner, Christian Science hymnal 202 and 412)


Julie Swannell

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