Daily Frameworks for 13 November 2023

Kamál, 10 Qudrat (Power), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

The whole duty of man in this Day is to attain that share of the flood of grace which God poureth forth for him. Let none, therefore, consider the largeness or smallness of the receptacle. The portion of some might lie in the palm of a man’s hand, the portion of others might fill a cup, and of others even a gallon-measure. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

We have variously and repeatedly set forth the meaning of every theme, that perchance every soul, whether high or low, may obtain, according to his measure and capacity, his share and portion thereof. Should he be unable to comprehend a certain argument, he may, thus, by referring unto another, attain his purpose. “That all sorts of men may know where to quench their thirst.” — Bahá’u’lláh ²

Question for Consideration:

What is the duty of every individual in this Day? ³

Google Bard Response:

The duty of man is to attain that share of the flood of grace which God poureth forth for him.

This means that our purpose in life is to develop our spiritual selves and to live in accordance with the will of God. We do this by cultivating qualities such as love, compassion, justice, and wisdom. We also do this by serving others and working to create a better world.

The Bahá’í teachings teach that we all have a unique role to play in the divine plan. We each have our own special talents and abilities, and we are all called to use them to contribute to the betterment of humanity.

The size of our receptacle, or our capacity to receive grace, may vary from person to person. However, no matter how large or small our receptacle may be, we all have the potential to develop our spiritual selves and to live a life of purpose and meaning.

Bahá’u’lláh has repeatedly emphasized the importance of simplicity and humility in our spiritual endeavors. He has taught us that we should not be overly concerned with the quantity of grace that we receive, but rather with the quality of our lives.

The true purpose of life is not to accumulate material wealth or worldly possessions. Rather, it is to develop our spiritual selves and to live in accordance with the will of God. When we do this, we become vessels of grace and blessing to the world around us.

Here are some specific ways in which we can fulfill our duty as human beings:

• Study the sacred teachings of all religions and learn from the wisdom of the prophets and sages of the past.
• Pray and meditate regularly, and cultivate a close relationship with God.
• Strive to live a life of virtue and righteousness, and to embody the qualities of love, compassion, justice, and wisdom.
• Serve others and work to make the world a better place.
• Be humble and grateful for all that God has bestowed upon us.
  

By fulfilling these duties, we can attain our share of the flood of grace which God poureth forth for us and live a life that is truly meaningful and fulfilling.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 7, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/2#971986403. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st pocket-size Ed. 1950. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Publishing Trust, 1983, 175. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-iqan/7#442603613.
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3. 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, 38-39. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩