Feast of Light

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Feast of Light

For in the realm of conscience naught but the ray of God's light can command, and on the throne of the heart none but the pervading power of the King of Kings should rule.

(Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 40)

By the Life of God, its light is more evident than the light of the sun! In its light and its brightness and its radiance every light is eclipsed.

(Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 46)

O NOBLE friends; seekers after God! Praise be to God! Today the light of Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all regions; the call of the Kingdom is heard in all lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all hearts that are faithful. The Spirit of God is giving eternal life. In this wonderful age the East is enlightened, the West is fragrant, and everywhere the soul inhales the holy perfume. The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting up its waves with joy, for there is real communication between the hearts and minds of men. The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are assured with the knowledge that this is a new day.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 19)

Thus when hatred and animosity, fighting, slaughtering, and great coldness of heart were governing this world, and darkness had overcome the nations, Baha'u'llah, like a bright star, rose from the horizon of Persia and shone with the great Light of Guidance, giving heavenly radiance and establishing the new Teaching.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 27)

My hope is that through the zeal and ardour of the pure of heart, the darkness of hatred and difference will be entirely abolished, and the light of love and unity shall shine; this world shall become a new world; things material shall become the mirror of the divine; human hearts shall meet and embrace each other; the whole world become as a man's native country and the different races be counted as one race.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 38)

In this age that light has become dimmed; religion has become a matter of form and ceremony and the desire for God's love has been lost.

In very age of great spiritual darkness, a light is kindled in the East. So once again the light of the teachings of God has come unto you. Even as education and progress travel from West to East, so does the spiritual fire travel from East to West.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 49)

A small lamp may light a room, a larger would light a house, a larger still might shine through the city, but the sun is needed to light the whole world.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 59)

Question. -- What is Abdu'l-Baha's teaching concerning the different Divine manifestations?

Answer. -- The Reality of all is One. Truth is one. Religions are like the branches of one Tree. One branch is high, one is low and one in the centre, yet all draw their life from the one stem. One branch bears fruit and others are not laden so abundantly. All the Prophets are lights, they only differ in degree; they shine like brilliant heavenly bodies, each have their appointed place and time of ascension. Some are like lamps, some like the moon, some like distant stars, and a few are like the sun, shining from one end of the earth to the other. all have the same Light to give, yet they are different in degree.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 62)

Neither the candle nor the lamp can be lighted through their own unaided efforts, nor can it ever be possible for the mirror to free itself from its dross. It is clear and evident that until a fire is kindled the lamp will never be ignited, and unless the dross is blotted out from the face of the mirror it can never represent the image of the sun nor reflect its light and glory.

(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 66)

These Mirrors will everlastingly succeed each other, and will continue to reflect the light of the Ancient of Days.

(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 74)

Let my food, O my Lord, be Thy beauty, and my drink the light of Thy presence, and my hope Thy pleasure, and my work Thy praise, and my companion Thy remembrance, and my aid Thy sovereignty, and my dwelling-place Thy habitation, and my home the seat which Thou hast exalted above the limitations of them that are shut out as by a veil from Thee.

(Compilations, Handmaidens of God - Baha'i Prayers for Women)

O Lord, brighten Thou my face with the lights of Thy bestowals, light Thou mine eyes with beholding the signs of Thine all-subduing might; delight my heart with the glory of Thy knowledge that encompasseth all things, gladden Thou my soul with Thy soul-reviving tidings of great joy, O Thou King of this world and the Kingdom above, O Thou Lord of dominion and might, that I may spread abroad Thy signs and tokens, and proclaim Thy Cause, and promote Thy Teachings, and serve Thy Law and exalt Thy Word.

(Compilations, Handmaidens of God - Baha'i Prayers for Women, p. 31)

Beauty Clear and Fair

BEAUTY clear and fair,

Where the air

Rather like a perfume dwells;

Where the violet and the rose

Their blue veins and blush disclose,

And come to honour nothing else:

Where to live near

And planted there

Is to live, and still live new;

Where to gain a favour is

More than light, perpetual bliss--

Make me live by serving you!

Dear, again back recall

To this light,

A stranger to himself and all!

Both the wonder and the story

Shall be yours, and eke the glory;

I am your servant, and your thrall.

John Fletcher. 1579-1625 (The Book of English Verse)

From Ode to Duty

I call thee: I myself commend

Unto thy guidance from this hour;

O, let my weakness have an end!

Give unto me, made lowly wise,

The spirit of self-sacrifice;

The confidence of reason give;

And in the light of truth thy bondman let me live!

William Wordsworth. 1770-1850 (The Book of English Verse)