May 31, 2015

May 31 - cooperation & mutual support

Indeed the believers have not yet fully learned to draw on each other's love for strength and consolation in time of need. The Cause of God is endowed with tremendous powers, and the reason the believers do not gain more from it is because they have not learned to draw fully on these mighty forces of love and strength and harmony generated by the Faith. 
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 8, 1942; compilation: ‘Living the Life’; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

May 30, 2015

May 30 - cooperation & mutual support

Soon will your swiftly-passing days be over, and the fame and riches, the comforts, the joys provided by this rubbish-heap, the world, will be gone without a trace. Summon ye, then, the people to God, and invite humanity to follow the example of the Company on high. Be ye loving fathers to the orphan, and a refuge to the helpless, and a treasury for the poor, and a cure for the ailing. Be ye the helpers of every victim of oppression, the patrons of the disadvantaged. Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race. Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection, to disdain, hostility, injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only. 
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha’)

May 29, 2015

May 29 - cooperation & mutual support

Blessed is the ruler who succoureth the captive, and the rich one who careth for the poor, and the just one who secureth from the wrong doer the rights of the downtrodden, and happy the trustee who observeth that which the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days hath prescribed unto him. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas’)

May 28, 2015

May 28 - cooperation & mutual support

One of the most important functions of the Head of the Cause is to guide the faithful to the tasks which need to be performed at each stage in its progress. It must allocate the resources of the Faith and point out those areas on which attention should be focused. Naturally, each individual tends to see the importance of his or her special interests or to focus on needs which are immediately apparent. All these have their own validity, but it is the Universal House of Justice which sees the whole picture and can guide the process. The friends must have faith in this, otherwise their efforts will be dissipated and even mutually conflicting. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 4 May 1999 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

May 27, 2015

May 27 - cooperation & mutual support

The main thing, however, is that all the believers should at all times feel conscious of their deep unity and brotherhood in the Cause of God, and that with love and understanding they should arise to overcome every problem, knowing that the Master will help and assist them to do so.

Firmness in the Covenant is their Fortress, their greatest protection, and new Bahá'ís should be taught this before they are admitted into the Community. In this way they will be given the spiritual strength to overcome the tests which are inevitable, and which strengthen the growth of the Community and drive its roots deeper in the soil of faith. 
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'í Community of Stuttgart, Germany, 5 June, 1949; ‘The Light of Divine Guidance vol. II’)

May 26, 2015

May 26 - cooperation & mutual support

As to thy question concerning the husband and wife, the tie between them and the children given to them by God: Know thou, verily, the husband is one who hath sincerely turned unto God, is awakened by the call of the Beauty of El-Bahá and chanteth the verses of Oneness in the great assemblies; the wife is a being who wisheth to be overflowing with and seeketh after the attributes of God and His names; and the tie between them is none other than the Word of God. Verily, it [the Word of God] causeth the multitudes to assemble together and the remote ones to be united. Thus the husband and wife are brought into affinity, are united and harmonized, even as though they were one person. Through their mutual union, companionship and love great results are produced in the world, both material and spiritual. The spiritual result is the appearance of divine bounties. The material result is the children who are born in the cradle of the love of God, who are nurtured by the breast of the knowledge of God, who are brought up in the bosom of the gift of God, and who are fostered in the lap of the training of God. Such children are those of whom it was said by Christ, "Verily, they are the children of the Kingdom!" 
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of Abdul-Bahá Abbas", vol. 3’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Family Life)

May 25, 2015

May 25 - cooperation & mutual support

The people of Baha must associate and deal with each other with the utmost love and sincerity. They should be mindful of the interests of all, especially the friends of God. 
- Baha'u'llah  (Quoted by the Universal House of Justice in the ‘Notes’ section of the Kitab-i-Aqdas)

May 24, 2015

May 24 - cooperation & mutual support

In an environment of love and trust born of common belief, practice, and mission, individuals of different races will have the intimate connection of heart and mind upon which mutual understanding and change depend. As a result of their training and deepening, a growing number of believers will draw insights from the Writings to sensitively and effectively address issues of racial prejudice that arise within their personal lives and families, among community members, and in social settings and the workplace. As programs of growth advance and the scope and intensity of activities grow, the friends will be drawn into participation in conversations and, in time, initiatives for social action at the grassroots where issues pertaining to freedom from prejudice naturally emerge, whether directly or indirectly. . . . 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated April 10, 2011 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

May 23, 2015

May 23 - cooperation & mutual support

... There is a tendency to mix up the function of the Administration and try to apply it in individual relationships, which is abortive, because the Assembly is a nascent House of Justice and is supported to administer according to the Teachings, the affairs of the community. But individuals toward each other are governed by love, unity, forgiveness and sin-covering eye. Once the friends grasp this they will get along much better, but they keep playing Spiritual Assembly to each other and expect the Assembly to behave like an individual... 
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 5, 1950; compilation: ‘Living the Life’; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

May 22, 2015

May 22 - cooperation & mutual support

First, you must become united and agreed among yourselves. You must be exceedingly kind and loving toward each other, willing to forfeit life in the pathway of another's happiness. You must be ready to sacrifice your possessions in another's behalf. The rich among you must show compassion toward the poor, and the well-to-do must look after those in distress. 
 - 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk at a Unity Feast on 29 June, 1912, West Englewood, New Jersey; The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

May 21, 2015

May 21 - cooperation & mutual support

A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding. 
- Baha'u'llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

May 20, 2015

May 20 - cooperation & mutual support

…the House of Justice feels it most essential for your husband and you to understand that marriage can be a source of well-being, conveying a sense of security and spiritual happiness. However, it is not something that just happens. For marriage to become a haven of contentment it requires the cooperation of the marriage partners themselves, and the assistance of their families. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 24 June 1979 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Preserving Baha’i Marriages)

May 19, 2015

May 19 - cooperation & mutual support

We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions. No movement in the world directs its attention upon both these aspects of human life and has full measures for their improvement, save the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. And this is its distinctive feature. If we desire therefore the good of the world we should strive to spread those teachings and also practise them in our own life. Through them will the human heart be changed, and also our social environment provides the atmosphere in which we can grow spiritually and reflect in full the light of God shining through the revelation of Bahá'u'lláh. 
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Conservation of the Earth's Resources)

May 18, 2015

May 18 - cooperation & mutual support

Human brotherhood and dependence exist because mutual helpfulness and cooperation are the two necessary principles underlying human welfare. This is the physical relationship of mankind. There is another brotherhood—the spiritual—which is higher, holier and superior to all others. It is heavenly; it emanates from the breaths of the Holy Spirit and the effulgence of merciful attributes; it is founded upon spiritual susceptibilities. This brotherhood is established by the Manifestations of the Holy One. 
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Excerpt from a talk, 28 May 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

May 17, 2015

May 17 - cooperation & mutual support

Consort with all men, O people of Baha, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. 
- Baha'u'llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

May 16, 2015

May 16 – Love of God

The aim is this: The intention of the teacher must be pure, his heart independent, his spirit attracted, his thought at peace, his resolution firm, his magnanimity exalted and in the love of God a shining torch. Should he become as such, his sanctified breath will even affect the rock; otherwise there will be no result whatsoever. As long as a soul is not perfected, how can he efface the defects of others. Unless he is detached from aught else save God, how can he teach severance to others! 
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan Revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the North American Bahá'ís’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching)

May 15, 2015

May 15 – Love of God

Know also that the soul is endowed with two wings: should it soar in the atmosphere of love and contentment, then it will be related to the All-Merciful. And should it fly in the atmosphere of self and desire, then it will pertain to the Evil One; may God shield and protect us and protect you therefrom, O ye who perceive! Should the soul become ignited with the fire of the love of God, it is called benevolent and pleasing unto God, but should it be consumed with the fire of passion, it is known as the concupiscent soul. Thus have We expounded this subject for thee that thou mayest obtain a clear understanding. 
- Baha'u'llah  (Súriy-i-Ra’ís, ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)

May 14, 2015

May 14 – Love of God

When man is attached to the Love of God, music has a great effect upon him. 
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Table Talk, Akka, July 1909, quoted in "Herald of the South" (January 13, 1933), pp. 2-3; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Music)

May 13, 2015

May 13 – Love of God

By the Day-Star of ancient mysteries! The sweet-scented fragrance of every breath breathed in the love of God is wafted in the court of the presence of the Lord of Revelation. The reward of no good deed is or ever will be lost. 
- Baha’u’llah  (The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

May 12, 2015

May 12 – Love of God

Bahá'ís believe that the love of God is evident in all His laws, no matter how severe some of them may appear to be, because He is revealing to us the purpose and true pattern for which we are created. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, included in a Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, dated May 3, 1994)

May 11, 2015

May 11 – Love of God

The seeker, when immersed in the ocean of the love of God, will be moved by intense longing and will arise to carry out the laws of God. Thus, it is impossible that a heart which containeth the fragrance of God's love should yet fail to worship Him, except under conditions when such an action would agitate the enemies and stir up dissension and mischief. Otherwise, a lover of the Abhá Beauty will assuredly and continually demonstrate perseverance in the worship of the Lord. 
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet, Compilation ‘The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice; The American Baha’i September 2000)

May 10, 2015

May 10 – Love of God

Become ye intoxicated with the wine of the love of God, and not with that which deadeneth your minds, O ye that adore Him! Verily, it hath been forbidden unto every believer, whether man or woman.... 
- Bahá'u'lláh  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi, ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)

May 9, 2015

May 9 – Love of God

The powers latent in prayer are manifested when it is motivated by the love of God, beyond any fear or favour, and free from ostentation and superstition. It is to be expressed with a sincere and pure heart conducive to contemplation and meditation so that the rational faculty can be illumined by its effects. Such prayer will transcend the limitation of words and go well beyond mere sounds. The sweetness of its melodies must gladden and uplift the heart and reinforce the penetrating power of the Word, transmuting earthly inclinations into heavenly attributes and inspiring selfless service to humankind.  
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 18 December 2014 to the Baha’is in Iran)

May 8, 2015

May 8 – Love of God

The best remedy for hate is love, as hate is the absence of love! In this respect you must show forth the love of God to others, Baha'is and non-Baha'is alike, and thus do your part to dispel the darkness in this world. This is what the beloved Master expects of His servants. 
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 12, 1949; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

May 7, 2015

May 7 – Love of God

Thou didst write as to the children: From the very beginning, the children must receive divine education and must continually be reminded to remember their God. Let the love of God pervade their inmost being, commingled with their mother's milk. 
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)

May 6, 2015

May 6 – Love of God

O people of Baha! Ye are the dawning-places of the love of God and the daysprings of His loving-kindness. Defile not your tongues with the cursing and reviling of any soul, and guard your eyes against that which is not seemly. Set forth that which ye possess. If it be favourably received, your end is attained; if not, to protest is vain. Leave that soul to himself and turn unto the Lord, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Be not the cause of grief, much less of discord and strife. The hope is cherished that ye may obtain true education in the shelter of the tree of His tender mercies and act in accordance with that which God desireth. Ye are all the leaves of one tree and the drops of one ocean. 
- Baha'u'llah  ('Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas')

May 5, 2015

May 5 – Love of God

They [parents] should not ever underestimate their capacity to mold their children's moral character. For they exercise indispensable influence through the home environment they consciously create by their love of God, their striving to adhere to His laws, their spirit of service to His Cause, their lack of fanaticism, and their freedom from the corrosive effects of backbiting. Every parent who is a believer in the Blessed Beauty has the responsibility to conduct herself or himself in such a way as to elicit the spontaneous obedience to parents to which the Teachings attach so high a value. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (Ridvan 2000)

May 4, 2015

May 4 – Love of God

" ... The process of educating people of different customs and backgrounds must be done with the greatest patience and understanding, and rules and regulations not imposed upon them, except where a rock-bottom essential is in question. He feels sure that your Assembly is capable of carrying on its work in this spirit, and of fanning the hearts to flame through the fire of the love of God, rather than putting out the first sparks with buckets-full of administrative information and regulations." 
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa, July 9, 1957; ‘compilation: Lights of Guidance’)

May 3, 2015

May 3 – Love of God

No brotherhood appears in the world as lasting save that of the spiritual type. Only that brotherhood is permanent and eternal, for it is a spiritual brotherhood through the breath of the Holy Spirit. It is absolutely indissoluble; permanently will it remain intact, and in all the worlds of God will it be everlasting. It is a brotherhood not based upon thoughts, but one that has emanated from the love of God. It is not founded for the attainment of physical or material interests. This spiritual brotherhood has no other purpose than nearness to the Threshold of God. It is not for defensive purposes but for the illumination of the human heart.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá  (from a talk, Montreal, Canada, 4 September 1912; Star of the West, vol. 8, no. 11, September 1917)

May 2, 2015

May 2 – Love of God

And now, concerning His words: “And He shall send His angels....” By “angels” is meant those who, reinforced by the power of the spirit, have consumed, with the fire of the love of God, all human traits and limitations, and have clothed themselves with the attributes of the most exalted Beings and of the Cherubim.… And… inasmuch as these holy beings have sanctified themselves from every human limitation, have become endowed with the attributes of the spiritual, and have been adorned with the noble traits of the blessed, they therefore have been designated as “angels.” 
- Baha'u'llah  (The Kitab-i-Iqan)

May 1, 2015

May 1 – Love of God

Every fire is seen to be extinguishable except for the fire of the Love of God that is manifest and ablaze in the hearts. Every mighty tree will be uprooted by tempestuous winds except for the trees of the Divine orchard, and every lamp is quenched except for the lamp of the Cause of God, which shineth in the heart of the world. Winds will add to its brightness, and it will never be extinguished. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (from a message dated 26 November 2003, addressed to the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in the Cradle of the Faith)