Daily Frameworks for 17 December 2023

Jamál, 06 Masá’il (Questions), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Questions for Consideration:

Why should we not be filled with sorrow when things contrary to our wishes come to pass?
What promise does Bahá’u’lláh make to us in this passage? ²

Google Bard Response:

Why we shouldn’t be filled with sorrow when things contrary to our wishes come to pass:

• God’s plan is greater than ours: The quote emphasizes that God has a much broader and more perfect plan than we can imagine. Things that seem contrary to our desires may be part of God’s divine plan for our growth and development.
  
• Temporary setbacks lead to future blessings: The quote assures us that our challenges are temporary and serve a purpose. They help us learn, grow, and ultimately lead us to “blissful joy” and “heavenly delight” in the future.
  
• Focus on the bigger picture: Dwelling on sorrows can prevent us from appreciating the blessings already present in our lives and hinder our spiritual progress. The quote encourages us to keep our eyes on the ultimate goal of spiritual fulfillment and joy.
  
• Trust in God’s unfailing love: The quote reminds us that God is loving and merciful. Even when things seem difficult, His love remains constant. Trusting in His love can give us the strength to face challenges and maintain hope for the future.
  

Baha’u’lláh’s promise in this passage:

• Days of blissful joy and heavenly delight: The quote explicitly promises a future filled with immense happiness and spiritual fulfillment. This future state is described as “holy and spiritually glorious,” exceeding anything we can experience in this world.
  
• Partaking in the benefits of holy worlds: Bahá’u’lláh promises that we will experience joy in the next world and actively participate in the blessings and opportunities offered by these “holy and spiritually glorious worlds.”
  
• Receiving God’s sustaining grace: The quote assures us that we will receive a portion of God’s grace: His constant love and support. This grace will help us navigate life’s challenges and ultimately attain our spiritual potential.
  
• Universal attainment: The quote emphasizes that this promise is not reserved for a select few. It states, “To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain.” This message of universal inclusion offers hope and encouragement to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
  

Overall, Bahá’u’lláh’s message is one of hope and reassurance. He encourages us to overcome our sorrows and focus on the greater promise of joy and fulfillment that awaits us. By trusting in God’s plan and embracing the challenges of this life, we can prepare ourselves to experience the blessings of the holy and spiritually glorious worlds that lie ahead.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 16, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/8#572973655. ↩
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, 50-51. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩