Daily Frameworks for 19 November 2024

Fidál, 17 Qudrat (Power), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

THIS is the Day in which God’s most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It behooveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests. Happy are those whom the all-glorious Pen was moved to remember, and blessed are those men whose names, by virtue of Our inscrutable decree, We have preferred to conceal. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

O loved ones of God! The lamp of the Covenant is the light of the world, and its reality the gift of splendour; the star of the Testament is a shining moon, and the words traced by the Pen of the Most High a limitless ocean. The Lord, the All-Glorified, hath, beneath the shade of the Tree of Anísá (Tree of Life), made a new Covenant and established a great Testament. He hath summoned everyone to the loving embrace of His Beauty and announced unto all the revelation of His manifest verses. He hath subverted the foundations of discord and raised the edifice of divine favour. He hath kindled the light of guidance and, through the grace of the Abhá Kingdom, turned the world into a garden of delights. He hath made manifest the Eternal Covenant and hath appeared, cup in hand, at the banquet of Revelation. He hath raised a mighty call and enabled every mindful soul to hear the celestial strains of the Covenant, so that the malicious might not breach the impregnable stronghold of the Cause or the ignorant taint its soft-flowing waters with the mire of idle fancies. He hath raised His summons in the midmost heart of the world and lifted the shrill voice of the Most Sublime Pen. In the East and the West, all ears have hearkened to the sweet accents of the Holy Spirit and discovered the purport of the Covenant and Testament. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

As to the Holy Manifestations of God, They are the focal points where the signs, tokens and perfections of that sacred, preexistent Reality appear in all their splendor. They are an eternal grace, a heavenly glory, and on Them dependeth the everlasting life of humankind. To illustrate: the Sun of Truth dwelleth in a sky to which no soul hath any access, and which no mind can reach, and He is far beyond the comprehension of all creatures. Yet the Holy Manifestations of God are even as a looking glass, burnished and without stain, which gathereth streams of light out of that Sun, and then scattereth the glory over the rest of creation. In that polished surface, the Sun with all Its majesty standeth clearly revealed. Thus, should the mirrored Sun proclaim, “I am the Sun!” this is but truth; and should It cry, “I am not the Sun!” this is the truth as well. And although the Daystar, with all Its glory, Its beauty, Its perfections, be clearly visible in that mirror without stain, still It hath not come down from Its own lofty station in the realms above, It hath not made Its way into the mirror; rather doth It continue to abide, as It will forever, in the supernal heights of Its own holiness. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

The divine Manifestations have been iconoclastic in Their teachings, uprooting error, destroying false religious beliefs and summoning mankind anew to the fundamental oneness of God. All of Them have, likewise, proclaimed the oneness of the world of humanity. The essential teaching of Moses was the law of Sinai, the Ten Commandments. Christ renewed and again revealed the commands of the one God and precepts of human action. In Muḥammad, although the circle was wider, the intention of His teaching was likewise to uplift and unify humanity in the knowledge of the one God. In the Báb the circle was again very much enlarged, but the essential teaching was the same. The Books of Bahá’u’lláh number more than one hundred. Each one is an evident proof sufficient for mankind; each one from foundation to apex proclaims the essential unity of God and humanity, the love of God, the abolition of war and the divine standard of peace. Each one also inculcates divine morality, the manifestation of lordly graces—in every word a book of meanings. For the Word of God is collective wisdom, absolute knowledge and eternal truth. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

Question for Consideration

How do the Divine Manifestations represent God’s Covenant with humanity and reflect His love for everyone through His Teachings? ⁵

Gemini Response:

The Divine Manifestations, such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh, are the focal points through which God reveals Himself to humanity. They are the intermediaries between the divine and the human realms, bringing forth the divine message to humanity at specific times in history.

God’s Covenant with Humanity

The concept of a covenant is central to many religions, including the Bahá’í Faith. It represents a sacred agreement between God and humanity, wherein God promises to guide and protect humanity, and humanity agrees to follow God’s commandments. The Divine Manifestations are the instruments through which God renews and strengthens this covenant with each new age.

God’s Love for Humanity

The Divine Manifestations embody and express God’s infinite love for humanity. Their teachings emphasize the oneness of humanity, the importance of love, and the need for justice and equality. They call upon humanity to recognize the divine spark within each individual and to treat one another with love, compassion, and respect.

Key Teachings Reflecting God’s Love

• Oneness of Humanity: The Divine Manifestations have consistently emphasized the fundamental oneness of humanity, transcending racial, ethnic, and national divisions.
• Love of God and Neighbor: They have taught that love for God and love for neighbor are inseparable. By loving God, we are called to love all of humanity.
• Justice and Equality: The Divine Manifestations have championed justice and equality for all, regardless of social status, gender, or race.
• Peace and Harmony: They have advocated for peace and harmony among nations and individuals, calling for the abolition of war and establishing a just and equitable world order.
• Spiritual Development: The Divine Manifestations have guided spiritual development, encouraging individuals to strive for moral perfection and connect with the divine within themselves.
  

Through their teachings, the Divine Manifestations illuminate the path to spiritual growth, moral development, and social progress. They invite humanity to embrace the divine love that unites all beings and to work together to build a better world.

ChatGPT Response:

The Divine Manifestations represent God’s Covenant with humanity. They are perfect mirrors of His light, reflecting His attributes and conveying His teachings. This binding agreement guides humanity toward spiritual and social fulfillment. The Divine Manifestations embody and demonstrate God’s love by offering humankind the means to achieve unity, peace, and spiritual transformation.

The Manifestations as Mirrors of Divine Light

‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that the Divine Manifestations are “the focal points where the signs, tokens and perfections of that sacred, preexistent Reality appear in all their splendor.” Like polished mirrors, They perfectly reflect the qualities of God—His love, wisdom, and justice—while remaining distinct from the essence of God. They proclaim God’s will and manifest His grace in ways humanity can comprehend.

Reflection of God’s Love

The Manifestations make God’s eternal love accessible through Their teachings. Their lives and messages express divine compassion, guiding humanity toward its noblest potential.

The Covenant: A Binding Agreement of Guidance

Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes that “God’s most excellent favors” have been poured out upon humanity in this Day, calling for unity and adherence to divine teachings. The Covenant represents a promise from God, renewed by each Manifestation, to ensure humanity’s progress through guidance tailored to the needs of the age.

Preservation of Unity

Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant, reaffirmed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ensures the oneness of humanity and safeguards the integrity of God’s teachings. It calls for adherence to His appointed successors, fostering harmony within the community of believers.

Protection and Guidance

As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá writes, “He hath subverted the foundations of discord and raised the edifice of divine favour.” The Covenant prevents disunity and preserves the divine message from corruption, ensuring humanity remains connected to God’s guidance.

Teachings that Demonstrate God’s Love

The teachings of the Manifestations reflect God’s love by providing practical and spiritual remedies for humanity’s challenges. Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation, for example, proclaims principles of justice, unity, and peace, which are essential for an advancing civilization.

Universal Unity

All Manifestations teach the oneness of humanity and the elimination of prejudice. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains, “All of Them have, likewise, proclaimed the oneness of the world of humanity.” This principle demonstrates God’s love for everyone by affirming their equal worth.

Social and Spiritual Renewal

The Manifestations uproot error and summon humanity to truth. Their teachings address society’s spiritual and material needs, offering solutions to discord and pathways to harmony. For example, Bahá’u’lláh’s call for abolishing war and promoting peace reflects divine compassion for a suffering world.

The Manifestations as Proofs of God’s Covenant

Each Manifestation reaffirms God’s unwavering commitment to humanity’s progress. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that “Each one from foundation to apex proclaims the essential unity of God and humanity.” Their lives prove God’s desire to uplift and unify humanity.

Evident Proofs

Through teachings and actions, each Manifestation is “evident proof sufficient for mankind.” They demonstrate God’s love by embodying the divine qualities humanity is meant to develop, such as justice, mercy, and kindness.

Continuous Guidance

Through the succession of Manifestations, God ensures that humanity receives timely guidance. The renewal of the Covenant in each age underscores God’s enduring care for humanity.

The Covenant’s Purpose: Transforming Humanity

The ultimate purpose of the Covenant and the Manifestations is to transform humanity. Bahá’u’lláh describes this Day as “the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things.” This grace enables individuals and communities to achieve unity and spiritual awakening.

Divine Love as a Force for Change

The Manifestations channel divine love into the world, empowering individuals to overcome their limitations and build a just and united civilization. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá writes, “The Word of God is collective wisdom, absolute knowledge and eternal truth.”

In conclusion, the Divine Manifestations are the clearest evidence of God’s love for humanity. Through Them, God renews His Covenant, provides transformative teachings, and ensures that humanity has the tools to overcome its challenges and achieve its ultimate destiny—unity, peace, and spiritual maturity. Their lives and messages are unceasing invitations to abide beneath “the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness.”

Claude Response:

Let me explore this profound question thoughtfully. Based on these passages, the Divine Manifestations serve as perfect mirrors or “looking glasses” that reflect God’s light and covenant with humanity in several key ways:

Universal Love and Unity

2. They consistently teach ”the oneness of the world of humanity” and aim to ”reconcile their differences.”
3. Each Manifestation renews God’s message of unity and universal love, adapting it for their time while maintaining the essential truth.
4. They work to unify humanity ”in the knowledge of the one God.”
   

Perfect Reflection of Divine Attributes

2. The passages describe them as ”burnished and without stain” mirrors that reflect God’s light.
3. While remaining distinct from God (”I am not the Sun”), they perfectly manifest His attributes (”I am the Sun”).
4. They serve as ”focal points where the signs,” tokens and perfections” of divine reality appear.
   

Progressive Revelation

2. Each Manifestation builds upon and renews the teachings of those who came before.
3. From Moses to the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, the ”circle was wider,” but the essential message remained consistent.
4. Each revelation adapts eternal truths for humanity’s evolving capacity to understand.
   

Transformative Power

2. They are described as ”iconoclastic…uprooting error, destroying false religious beliefs.”
3. They establish new covenants appropriate to their age while preserving eternal truths.
4. Through them, God has ”made a new Covenant and established a great Testament.”
   

Divine Education

2. Each Manifestation’s teachings contain ”in every word a book of meanings.”
3. They represent ”collective wisdom, absolute knowledge and eternal truth.”
4. Their purpose is to guide humanity to ”the loving embrace of His Beauty.”
   

The passages suggest that God’s covenant with humanity is one of eternal love and guidance, manifested through these Divine Teachers who are perfect mirrors of His attributes and wisdom. They progressively reveal God’s truth in ways appropriate to humanity’s evolving capacity while maintaining the essential message of unity, love, and spiritual transformation.

Perplexity Response:

The Divine Manifestations in the Bahá’í Faith are crucial intermediaries between God and humanity. They embody God’s Covenant with humankind and reflect His love through Their teachings. This relationship is characterized by the concept of progressive revelation, which posits that God sends a series of Manifestations throughout history to guide humanity, each building upon the teachings of the previous ones.

The Nature of the Covenant

The Covenant in the Bahá’í Faith is a spiritual contract binding God and humanity. It consists of two main components:

The Greater Covenant

This encompasses God’s promise to send divine guidance through successive Manifestations and humanity’s obligation to recognize and follow these teachings. Each Manifestation, such as Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh, represents a new chapter in this ongoing dialogue between God and humanity[1][4].

The Lesser Covenant

This specifically refers to the duty of Bahá’ís to accept the leadership of Bahá’u’lláh as the latest Manifestation[1].

Role of the Divine Manifestations

The Divine Manifestations are viewed as “mirrors” reflecting God’s attributes and will. They are not mere prophets but unique beings who possess both a human aspect and a divine essence. Their role is to educate humanity about spiritual truths, moral principles, and social laws tailored to the needs of their respective eras[3][4]. For example:

• Moses introduced laws that emphasized justice.
• Jesus focused on love and forgiveness.
• Muhammad brought forth teachings that unified diverse tribes under one faith.
  

Each Manifestation’s teachings promote the fundamental oneness of God and humanity, urging followers to transcend divisions and work towards universal peace[3][4].

Reflecting God’s Love

The teachings of the Manifestations reflect God’s love by emphasizing:

• Unity: They call for reconciliation among peoples, promoting harmony and understanding across different cultures and religions.
• Guidance: They provide spiritual insights that help individuals navigate moral dilemmas and societal challenges.
• Empowerment: By encouraging followers to recognize their potential and responsibilities, they foster a sense of agency in pursuing justice and compassion in the world[3][4].
  

Conclusion

In summary, the Divine Manifestations represent God’s Covenant with humanity by acting as conduits of divine wisdom. Their teachings reflect God’s love for all people, urging them to embrace unity, recognize their shared humanity, and strive for a peaceful world. This ongoing process of revelation underscores the Bahá’í belief in an evolving understanding of divine truth that adapts to meet the needs of humanity across different ages.

Citations

[1] Covenant

[2] The Five Key Covenants God Makes With Humans in the Bible

[3] MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD

[4] Covenant of Baháʼu’lláh

[5] The Purpose of God in the Covenants of the Pentateuch

[6] God’s Manifestations: The Authoring and Finishing of Our Faith

[7] Covenant and Administration: A Divine Design

[8] The Human Condition and the Spiritual Condition of the Divine Manifestations

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/2#053948477. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Light of the World: Selected Tablets of ’Abdu’l-Bahá. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Center, 2021. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/light-of-the-world/6#752598828. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 50. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/4#968402991. ↩
4. ’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, 154. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/12#218331438. ↩
5. Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 84-85. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.