And the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2)

This Bible quote had been in my thoughts for a few days, so I was rather surprised to find it in our Lesson Sermon* this week, not once but twice.

First, it appeared in the quote above, which is from Revelations. This quote is from the description of the New Jerusalem, the “City Four Square”: In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Then it appeared in a quote from Science and Health: with Key to the Scriptures: The Bible contains the recipe for all healing. ‘The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Sin and sickness are both healed by the same Principle. The tree is typical of man's divine Principle, which is equal to every emergency, offering full salvation from sin, sickness, and death. Page 406

I have been thinking about why this quote had come to thoughts, and I can think of two immediate issues.

The first is Puerto Rico. The entire country is without power—in addition to the rest of the destruction. I have been trying to picture what that would be like if it happened here, all the things we do that require power. I truly feel that Puerto Rico needs our prayers.

The second is the great divide currently splitting our nation politically. Bridging this divide seems imposible, but to God, all things are possible.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to come upon the leaf that would heal our nation? Praying today for both these damaged nations. Isn’t it wonderful to think that God is equal to every emergency?

* – The Church of Christ, Scientist has a Lesson Sermon that is printed ahead of time for study during the week, and then read on Sunday. On any given Sunday, the same sermon is read at every branch church throughout the world. These lessons are planned months ahead, so when the citations turn out to be appropriate to the immediate circumstances, it is due only to the wisdom of a Higher Power.