Why the Light?

Why "Light of the the World"? I mean, why did the World Centre put together this volume of some of the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha at this time? It's a ton of work, and I'm not questioning the release of more of His Writings. I am wondering at the rationale of this particular theme.

Ok, let me go back a moment and try to catch you up on my train of thought.

Like most compilations, this one has a very distinct theme. And the major theme in this book, Light of the World, is the trials and sufferings of Baha'u'llah and the Master.

Now, I have long noticed that the books the World Centre releases, whether new translations of the Writings or compilations, are exactly what we need to know about 10 years after they are released. That is, when a compilation like "Trustworthiness" is released, we have about a decade to study it before it becomes the central focus of society, and something that it would be very useful for us to have a deep understanding about and be fluently conversant on. A decade after that compilation on trustworthiness came out, it was one of the predominant conversational themes in many societies.

So why Light of the World? Why the sufferings of the Central Figures? Why now?

As usual, I don't really know. And these thoughts are just my own, nothing official, of course. Just one Baha'i's attempt to come to a better understanding. If you have any other thoughts I'd love to hear them.

Ok, so I'm thinking it goes back to paragraph 6 of the Kitab-i-Iqan. In that paragraph, we find the incredible statement, "the more closely thou observest the denials of those who have opposed the Manifestations of the divine attributes, the firmer will be thy faith in the Cause of God".

I had to read that many times before the import of it began to sink into my heart.

"...(T)he more closely thou observest the denials of those who have opposed the Manifestations of the divine attributes, the firmer will be thy faith in the Cause of God."

In other words, if I understand this correctly, by studying not only the sufferings, but specifically the reasons why people rejected the Manifestations, my faith will become more solid. All right. Fair enough. I won't profess to understand the why of it, but I will admit to the reality of it. At least, for me. I do know that the more I have studied the reasons for the denials, the more certain I have become in my own faith.

In addition to this, the more that I study the sufferings of the Manifestations and their followers, the more patient I am in my own meager sufferings.

Hmm.

Maybe this is why this book is being released now.

Maybe, just maybe, the friends are being given the tools they need to ensure that they remain firm in their faith.

Perhaps we are also being reminded of the importance of patience and fortitude in face of the trials that are soon to come.