Jalál, 15 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
This is the greatest divine bestowal; this is the effulgence of the Kingdom of God; this is the day of illumination; this is the merciful century. We must appreciate these things and strive in order that the utmost desire of the Prophets may now be realized and all the glad tidings be fulfilled. Trust in the favor of God. Look not at your own capacities, for the divine bestowal can transform a drop into an ocean; it can make a tiny seed a lofty tree. Verily, divine bestowals are like the sea, and we are the fishes of that sea. The fishes must not look at themselves; they must behold the ocean, which is vast and wonderful. Provision for the sustenance of all is in this ocean; therefore, the divine bounties encompass all, and love eternal shines upon all. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2
Question for Consideration:
Which of the following are true?
The “largeness or smallness” of our capacity refers to how smart we are.
To serve God, we need to forget our weaknesses and place our whole trust in Him.
If in this world we do not develop the capacities God has bestowed upon us, our souls will be weak when we arrive in the next world. 3
Google Bard Response:
Based on the provided quotes from Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the following statements are true:
- The “largeness or smallness” of our capacity refers to how smart we are. False. The “largeness or smallness” of our capacity refers to our ability to receive and express God’s grace. It is not about our intelligence or our achievements in this world.
- To serve God, we need to forget our weaknesses and place our whole trust in Him. True. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá teaches that we should not focus on our own limitations but instead rely on God’s strength and power. When we have faith in God, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve great things.
- If in this world we do not develop the capacities God has bestowed upon us, our souls will be weak when we arrive in the next world. True. The capacities that we develop in this world are the foundation for our spiritual growth in the next world. If we neglect our spiritual development in this life, we will be limited in our ability to experience the joys of the afterlife.
The quotes emphasize the importance of humility and trust in God. We should not compare ourselves to others or focus on our own shortcomings. Instead, we should focus on developing our spiritual qualities and serving others with love and compassion. When we do this, we are opening ourselves up to receive the boundless grace of God and preparing ourselves for a life of eternal happiness in the next world.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 17, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/2#522495113. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 130-131. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/9#202658825. ↩
- 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, 39. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 