Thursday, October 4, 2012

4 Oct | a.m



Justice is, in this day, bewailing its plight, and Equity groaneth beneath the yoke of oppression.... Through the movement of Our Pen of glory We have, at the bidding of the omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new life into every human frame, and instilled into every word a fresh potency. All created things proclaim the evidences of this world-wide regeneration. This is the most great, the most joyful tidings imparted by the Pen of this wronged One to mankind. Wherefore fear ye, O My well-beloved ones? Who is it that can dismay you?
- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 92
The chosen ones of God…should not look at the depraved condition of the society in which they live, nor at the evidences of moral degradation and frivolous conduct which the people around them display. They should not content themselves merely with relative distinction and excellence. Rather they should fix their gaze upon nobler heights by setting the counsels and exhortations of the Pen of Glory as their supreme goal. Then it will be readily realized how numerous are the stages that still remain to be traversed and how far off the desired goal lies - a goal which is none other than exemplifying heavenly morals and virtues.
- From a letter dated 30 October 1924 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Teheran

3 Oct | p.m



The beginning of magnanimity is when man expendeth his wealth on himself, on his family and on the poor among his brethren in his Faith.
- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 156
Organize in an effort to help them [the poor] and prevent increase of poverty. The greatest means for prevention is that whereby the laws of the community will be so framed and enacted that it will not be possible for a few to be millionaires and many destitute. One of Baha’u’llahs’ teachings is the adjustment of means of livelihood in human society. Under this adjustment there can be no extremes in human conditions as regards wealth and sustenance.
- Abdu’l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 36

3 Oct | a.m



Having attained the stage of fulfilment and reached his maturity, man standeth in need of wealth, and such wealth as he acquireth through crafts or professions is commendable and praiseworthy in the estimation of men of wisdom, and especially in the eyes of servants who dedicate themselves to the education of the world and to the edification of its peoples
- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 34
Bahá’u’lláh further states that mendicity should not only be discouraged but entirely wiped out from the face of society. It is the duty of those who are in charge of the organization of society to give every individual the opportunity of acquiring the necessary talent in some kind of profession, and also the means of utilizing such a talent, both for its own sake and for the sake of earning the means of his livelihood.
- Shoghi Effendi, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 192

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

2 Oct | p.m



The parents must exert every effort to rear their offspring to be religious, for should the children not attain this greatest of adornments, they will not obey their parents, which in a certain sense means that they will not obey God. Indeed, such children will show no consideration to anyone, and will do exactly as they please.
- Bahá'u'lláh, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 385

Deliver my longings and greetings to the consolation of thine eye,.... Verily I love them both even as a compassionate father loveth his dear children. As to thee, have for them an abundant love and exert thine utmost in training them, so that their being may grow through the milk of the love of God, forasmuch as it is the duty of parents to perfectly and thoroughly train their children.
- Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Bahá ‘Abbás, vol. 2, pp. 262-63

2 Oct | a.m



We have enjoined you in the Book "to worship no one but God and to show kindness to your parents". [Qur’án 46:15.] Thus hath the one true God spoken and the decree hath been fulfilled by the Almighty, the All-Wise. Therefore We have caused thee to return unto her [thy mother] and unto thy sister, that your mother's eyes may thereby be cheered, and she may be of the thankful. Say, O My people! Show honour to your parents and pay homage to them. This will cause blessings to descend upon you from the clouds of the bounty of your Lord, the Exalted, the Great.
- Bahá’u’lláh, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 386
There are also certain sacred duties on children toward parents, which duties are written in the Book of God, as belonging to God. The [children's] prosperity in this world and the Kingdom depends upon the good pleasure of parents, and without this they will be in manifest loss.
- Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Bahá ‘Abbás, vol. 2, pp. 262-63

1 Oct | p.m



Blessed is the house that hath attained unto My tender mercy, wherein My remembrance is celebrated, and which is ennobled by the presence of My loved ones, who have proclaimed My praise, cleaved fast to the cord of My grace and been honoured by chanting My verses. Verily they are the exalted servants whom God hath extolled in the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá' and other scriptures.
- Bahá’u’lláh, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 385
My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of light; whosoever enters here must become illumined....
- Abdu’l-Bahá, published in Star of the West, vol. 9, no. 3, p. 40

1 Oct | a.m



Concern yourselves with the things that benefit mankind, and not with your corrupt and selfish desires. O ye followers of this Wronged One! Ye are the shepherds of mankind; liberate ye your flocks from the wolves of evil passions and desires, and adorn them with the ornament of the fear of God.
- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 29
I ask you, Is not fellowship and brotherhood preferable to enmity and hatred in society and community? The answer is self-evident. Love and fellowship are absolutely needful to win the good-pleasure of God which is the goal of all human attainment.
- Abdu’l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 99