Kamál, 16 Sharaf (Honor), 180 B.E.
Arising to Serve
Quote for Reflection:
Behold the disturbances which, for many a long year, have afflicted the earth, and the perturbation that hath seized its peoples. It hath either been ravaged by war, or tormented by sudden and unforeseen calamities. Though the world is encompassed with misery and distress, yet no man hath paused to reflect what the cause or source of that may be. Whenever the True Counselor uttered a word in admonishment, lo, they all denounced Him as a mover of mischief and rejected His claim. How bewildering, how confusing is such behavior! No two men can be found who may be said to be outwardly and inwardly united. The evidences of discord and malice are apparent everywhere, though all were made for harmony and union. The Great Being saith: O well-beloved ones! The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. We cherish the hope that the light of justice may shine upon the world and sanctify it from tyranny. If the rulers and kings of the earth, the symbols of the power of God, exalted be His glory, arise and resolve to dedicate themselves to whatever will promote the highest interests of the whole of humanity, the reign of justice will assuredly be established amongst the children of men, and the effulgence of its light will envelop the whole earth. The Great Being saith: The structure of world stability and order hath been reared upon, and will continue to be sustained by, the twin pillars of reward and punishment. And in another connection He hath uttered the following in the eloquent tongue (Arabic): Justice hath a mighty force at its command. It is none other than reward and punishment for the deeds of men. By the power of this force the tabernacle of order is established throughout the world, causing the wicked to restrain their natures for fear of punishment. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
How would you respond to someone who believes injustice will never end? 2
Google Bard Response:
When responding to someone who believes injustice will never end, it’s important to acknowledge their perspective and offer a message of hope and possibility, drawing upon the insights in the quote by Bahá’u’lláh. Here are some ways you can approach the conversation:
Acknowledge their pain and frustration:
- “I understand why you might feel that way. The world can be harsh, and the amount of suffering and injustice can be overwhelming.”
- “It’s natural to feel discouraged when faced with seemingly endless cycles of inequality and oppression.”
Offer a counterpoint based on the quote:
- “However, remember, the quote says that ‘the world is encompassed with misery and distress’ yet no one has paused to reflect on the cause. Maybe focusing on the root causes and working towards solutions can offer a glimmer of hope.”
- “The quote also highlights ‘the hope that the light of justice may shine upon the world.’ This suggests there is still potential for positive change even amid darkness.”
Emphasize the importance of individual action and collective efforts:
- “While we can’t control everything, we can all choose to be agents of change within our spheres of influence. Practicing kindness, compassion, and standing up for what’s right, even in small ways, can create ripples of positive change.”
- “The quote mentions the hope for rulers and leaders to ‘dedicate themselves to whatever will promote the highest interests of the whole of humanity.’ We can hold them accountable and advocate for policies that advance justice and equality.”
Share examples of progress and resilience:
- “Throughout history, there have been countless movements for justice that have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Remember the abolition of slavery, the fight for women’s suffrage, and the struggle for civil rights. These are all testaments to the human capacity for positive change.”
- “Even on a smaller scale, there are countless stories of individuals and communities overcoming adversity and creating positive change. Sharing these stories can inspire others and remind us that progress is possible.”
Maintain an optimistic tone:
- “While the road to justice may be long and winding, it’s important to remember that despair is not an option. The quote ends with the image of the effulgence of the light of justice enveloping the whole earth. This suggests that even though the path may be challenging, the ultimate goal of a just and equitable world is attainable.”
- “Let’s not give up hope. By working together, with individual commitment and collective action, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.”
Remember, the goal of the conversation is not to convince or force someone to change their mind but to offer a different perspective and spark a dialogue about the possibility of a more just world. By listening actively, showing empathy, and sharing messages of hope and possibility, you can help plant the seeds of change, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/5#260206487. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 24-25. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 