As to you, O ye loved ones of God! Loose your tongues and
offer Him thanks; praise ye and glorify the Beauty of the Adored One, for ye
have drunk from this purest of chalices, and ye are cheered and set aglow with
this wine. Ye have detected the sweet scents of holiness, ye have smelled the
musk of faithfulness from Joseph’s raiment. Ye have fed on the honey-dew of
loyalty from the hands of Him Who is the one alone Beloved, ye have feasted on
immortal dishes at the bounteous banquet table of the Lord. This plenty is a special
favour bestowed by a loving God, these are blessings and rare gifts deriving
from His grace. In the Gospel He saith: ‘For many are called, but few are
chosen.’ [Matthew 22:14] That is, to many is it offered, but rare is the soul
who is singled out to receive the great bestowal of guidance. ‘Such is the
bounty of God: to whom He will He giveth it, and of immense bounty is God.’
[Qur’án 57:21] - ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
