Daily Frameworks for 26 January 2024

Istiqlál, 08 Sulțán (Sovereignty), 180 B.E.

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

In the terminology of the Holy Books the church has been called the house of the covenant for the reason that the church is a place where people of different thoughts and divergent tendencies—where all races and nations—may come together in a covenant of permanent fellowship. In the temple of the Lord, in the house of God, man must be submissive to God. He must enter into a covenant with his Lord in order that he shall obey the divine commands and become unified with his fellowman. He must not consider divergence of races nor difference of nationalities; he must not view variation in denomination and creed, nor should he take into account the differing degrees of thoughts; nay, rather, he should look upon all as mankind and realize that all must become united and agreed. He must recognize all as one family, one race, one native land; he must see all as the servants of one God, dwelling beneath the shelter of His mercy. The purport of this is that the church is a collective center. Temples are symbols of the reality and divinity of God—the collective center of mankind. Consider how within a temple every race and people is seen and represented—all in the presence of the Lord, covenanting together in a covenant of love and fellowship, all offering the same melody, prayer and supplication to God. Therefore, it is evident that the church is a collective center for mankind. For this reason there have been churches and temples in all the divine religions; but the real Collective Centers are the Manifestations of God, of Whom the church or temple is a symbol and expression. That is to say, the Manifestation of God is the real divine temple and Collective Center of which the outer church is but a symbol. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Question for Consideration:

What does the word “covenant” mean? ²

Google Bard Response:

In the context of the quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the word “covenant” carries a rich and multifaceted meaning. Here are some central interpretations:

• A pact or agreement: Fundamentally, a covenant refers to a formal agreement or treaty between two or more parties. In this case, it signifies the commitment of individuals within a church or temple to a shared set of values, beliefs, and practices. This agreement binds them together in a sense of unity and purpose.
  
• Permanent fellowship and unity: The quote emphasizes that the covenant is not just a temporary agreement but a lasting bond of fellowship. It signifies a commitment to building bridges across differences like race, nationality, and creed and working towards a united community.
  
• Submission to God and divine commands: The covenant also involves a commitment to God. It signifies the individual’s willingness to follow God’s teachings and principles and strive for spiritual growth and alignment with the divine will.
  
• Recognizing the oneness of humanity: The quote emphasizes that the covenant transcends individual differences and acknowledges the fundamental unity of all humankind. It promotes a sense of belonging to a single “family” under the shelter of God’s mercy.
  
• A symbol of the divine and collective center: The church or temple symbolizes the divine reality and the collective center of humanity. It represents the space where individuals come together to connect with God and each other, forming a unified community.
  
• Manifestations of God as the true collective centers: While the church or temple serves as a symbol, the quote ultimately points to the Manifestations of God as the true collective centers. These figures, like prophets and founders of major religions, embody divine guidance and unity, bringing people together under their spiritual leadership.
  

Therefore, the word “covenant” in this context goes beyond a simple agreement. It signifies a deep commitment to shared values, spiritual growth, unity within diversity, and, ultimately, alignment with the divine purpose embodied in the Manifestations of God.

It’s important to remember that this interpretation is based on Bahá’í teachings and may differ from other understandings of the concept of “covenant” in different religious and philosophical contexts.

1. ’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, 163. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/12#436787777. ↩
2. 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, 39. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩