Our topic refers to the marginal heading for the last paragraph on page 574 of Science and Health. As the meeting closed last week we were working with this page in relation to AIDS and shifts in Gay sexuality. Spiritual wedlock looked like a solid archetypal rock to build on and support the changes taking place.

A member who keeps in touch with the group by telephone provided a snap shot of early post-Stonewall (1969) sexuality. As civilization moved into late patriarchy at mid century other aggrieved groups like African Americans and women had thrown off the shackles of second class citizenship. It was natural that Gay people would seek the same liberation and their gathering political clout was accompanied by an explosion out of sexually repressive closets. What had before been furtive quickies became proudly proclaimed sexual freedom. It turned into a communal or tribal frenzy. Innocence and naiveté prevailed and one tended to overlook the potential for addiction and the appearance, finally, of exotic diseases.

As the problems became unavoidable, ways of recovery — including Christian Science — were found. Dating and relationships became important. A sense of family, beyond writhing bodies on a dance floor or in a bathhouse, seized the imagination. Today, Gay sexuality has all the potential for good and evil that any other sexuality includes — it has taken its place in the rich panorama of human relating. For the student of Christian Science the whole process can be read through the lens of Revelation xxi: 9, on which Mary Baker Eddy has lavished so much loving attention in Science and Health, page 574.

We discerned three levels of wedlock in the writings of Mrs. Eddy; they are shown in our readings.

1) The relationship between two people. The chapter on "Marriage" in Science and Health and the article "Wedlock" in Miscellaneous Writings include much practical advice as well as deeper insights.

2) Each person's inner balance between his male and female natures. The quotes from pages 64 and 249 of the Textbook and 268 of Miscellany show this aspect. There is also a detailed treatment on page 73 of the so called Blue Book, showing Mrs. Eddy working to balance her male-femaleness. It starts, "This is my support, that the male and female natures are equally expressed, coexistent in me."

3) The oneness of God and man. The quotes from the Textbook, pages 561 and 574, are accompanied by the marginal notes, respectively, "Espousals supernal," and, of course, "Spiritual wedlock".

The work in Christian Science, we felt, is to see and live all three levels at the same time in any relationship. Here are some statements made by members: "Lover and beloved are identity for preexistent oneness." "Relationships are noumenal and phenomenal." And this, quoted from Margaret Laird, "Relationship is an unfolding idea, showing the infinitude of my being. It may appear as people relating, but it's always my infinitude."

We then explored some scriptural points.

1) The passage from Matthew 19 was read. One member has long regarded it as Jesus' teaching on the rightness of Gay sexuality. His investigations have shown that the word translated here as "eunuch" is actually a reference to one's suitability for marriage. Thus the New English Bible says "...Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so.." Another member suddenly saw the light and interjected, "Why of course, that would certainly include what we now call the genetic predisposition to Gay sexuality." Not wanting to leave this wonderful insight resting on the sands of human belief alone, another quickly under girded it with the spiritual fact that we come from divine Genetics, the oneness and wholeness of being. That too would include being Gay — in spades!

2) The Lamb symbol appearing in many of our readings got one member excited. He went through most of the references to the Lamb in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings and offered some comments. It appears mainly sacrificially as an animal and as Jesus, until we reach Revelation. Then it seems to become a stand-in for men or mankind. There is some confusion, perhaps with the translators or, he admitted, maybe his own inability to understand ancient symbols. Turning to Mrs. Eddy, he looked up "Lamb of God" and "Sheep" in the "Glossary" of Science and Health and found this: "The spiritual idea of Love; self-immolation; innocence and purity; sacrifice," and, "Innocence; inoffensiveness; those who follow their leader." From all this he concluded, tentatively, that the important point was the need to keep our egos soft, pliable, permeable and in alignment with God, whether called Ego, Shepherd, Lord or whatever. Another member jumped in to say a healer he used to go to often recommended he repeat the 23rd Psalm because it places us in the role of a sheep right from the start, looking to God for guidance and well-being. Interestingly it is with this psalm that Mrs. Eddy concludes the body of Science and Health, substituting the words "Divine Love" for "The Lord". In summary our member offered this: "In our powerlessness as mortals, we reflect the all-power of divinity."

We had some healings.

1) The member who launched a personal attack on our chairperson a few weeks back retuned and apologized. He received the gift of Textbooks from another member. The person chairing at this meeting was the same one who was driven from the room before.

2) Another member, continuing her search in Christian Science for the great comfort that comes from good parenting, has been finding that doing the daily Lesson gives her a far steadier feeling than she imagines any earthly ancestor might have left her with.

3) Another member cut his leg badly in a subway accident. By looking away from the problem and staying with persistent prayer he has been able to proceed with a busy schedule and now finds most evidence of the wound has faded away.

We had to fish a bit for a topic this week. We'll certainly be mindful of Gay Pride week starting next Monday, but decided in view of the McVeigh execution we particularly wanted to look at Redemption.