Daily Frameworks for 14 October 2023

Jalál, 18 Mas͟híyyat (Will), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber,
the verses revealed by God,
the scattering angels of the Almighty
shall scatter abroad the fragrance
of the words uttered by his mouth,
and shall cause the heart
of every righteous man to throb. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Question for Consideration:

What does the word “recite” mean? ²

Google Bard Response:

The word “recite” means to say or read something aloud, especially from memory. In the context of religion, recitation often refers to the reading or chanting of sacred texts.

In the passage from Bahá’u’lláh that you quoted, He is talking about the power of reciting the verses of God. He says that whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb.

This means that when we recite the verses of God with sincerity and devotion, our words are transformed into a powerful spiritual force. They can touch the hearts of others and inspire them to grow closer to God.

Recitation is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and development. It can help us to:

• Connect with God on a deeper level.
• Understand the teachings of our faith more deeply.
• Develop our spiritual qualities, such as love, compassion, and forgiveness.
• Inspire others to grow closer to God.
  

If you are looking for a way to deepen your spiritual life, I encourage you to make recitation a regular part of your routine. Choose a passage from your scripture that you love or that has special meaning to you, and recite it aloud each day. As you do, focus on the meaning of the words and the feelings that they evoke in your heart. With time and practice, you will find that recitation can be a powerful tool for your spiritual growth and transformation.

Question for Consideration:

What does the word “scatter” mean?

Google Bard Response:

In the context of the quotation from Bahá’u’lláh that you provided, the word “scatter” means to spread or disseminate something widely. In this case, the angels of the Almighty are scattering abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by the person who is reciting the verses revealed by God.

The fragrance of these words is a symbol of their beauty, power, and transformative potential. When the angels scatter this fragrance, they are spreading the good news of God’s love and guidance to all who hear it.

The second part of the quotation says that the angels also cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. This means that the words of God have a profound effect on the hearts of those who are open to them. They can evoke feelings of love, awe, and inspiration. They can also motivate us to be better people and to live more meaningful lives.

The image of the scattering angels is a powerful reminder of the power of God’s words. When we recite the verses revealed by God, we are not just speaking words into the air. We are participating in a cosmic process of spreading God’s love and guidance to the world.

Here are some examples of how the angels might scatter the fragrance of the words uttered by the person who is reciting the verses revealed by God:

• The angels might whisper the words to the ears of those who are in need of guidance or comfort.
• The angels might write the words in the hearts of those who are open to receiving them.
• The angels might scatter the words like seeds, so that they may grow and flourish in the hearts and minds of all people.
  

The scattering angels are a reminder that God’s words are alive and active. They have the power to transform our lives and the world around us. When we recite the verses revealed by God, we are participating in this transformative process.

1. Bahá’u’lláh, The Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. “Bahá’í Prayers: A Selection of Prayers Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, The Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 13, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/1#358258487. ↩
2. Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 20. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩