For many years we would receive letters from the Baha'i World Centre for Naw Ruz, with only the occasional Ridvan letter. And then, perhaps in recognition that it is Ridvan that is the Most Great Festival, or maybe because it is when we elect our Spiritual Assemblies, we started receiving Ridvan messages more regularly. This year, however, we received another Naw Ruz message, which I must admit took me by surprise. I mean, it wasn't that surprising, what with all that is happening in the world. I knew it was just a matter of time before the Universal House of Justice offered their loving guidance and encouragement. I just didn't expect it to be in the form of a Naw Ruz message. Why? I don't know, but there you go.
Today, I thought I would take a closer look at it and see what hidden gems lie within. Care to join?
Of course you do. I mean, that's why you're reading this, right?
Hmm. How to do this? Copy and paste a paragraph at a time? Sure. Why not? After all, it's only 5 paragraphs, after the "Dearly loved Friends".
We feel compelled by current events to write to you at this time and not wait until Riḍván. As you will be all too aware, over recent weeks and months, an apprehensive world has been coming to terms with a rapidly evolving health crisis affecting the people in many countries, the consequences of which for society cannot yet be estimated with any certainty. We are sure that you, like us, have felt great concern for the well-being of humanity, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Seldom has it been more evident that society’s collective strength is dependent on the unity it can manifest in action, from the international stage to the grassroots, and we know that you are giving your support to the essential efforts being made in this regard to protect the health and welfare of all.
Well, the first thing that catches my attention is that they are admitting right at the beginning that this is unusual. They are writing this now, instead of waiting for Ridvan, as is their norm. And they are not just moved to do this, they are compelled. They are forced by a sense of obligation to write us at this time. Honestly, I cannot think of another time when they have felt "compelled" like this.
Then, in a single sentence, they let us know why. The world is apprehensive, fearful and anxious. We are aware that things are moving rapidly, affecting people all over the world, and we cannot foresee the consequences of it.
And finally, they remind us of our obligation. We, obviously, feel great concern, especially for those that are most vulnerable, and need to remind people that unity is what is needed most right now.
Do we need to self-isolate in this time of crisis? Yes, but in unity. Do we need to stay home? Yes, but while supporting those most vulnerable. Should we be concerned? Of course, but this concern should not disrupt our unity.
Inevitably, the current situation will have an impact on the administration of the Cause of God in many places, and in every case the relevant National Spiritual Assembly will advise on the appropriate measures to be taken. In some countries this will include cancelling National Convention, with arrangements being made for the National Assembly to be elected by other means. Similar arrangements might also need to be made, in certain places, for the election of Local Spiritual Assemblies. However, in circumstances where even this proves unfeasible, it would be permissible this year for the existing membership of a Local or National Assembly to continue on into the next administrative year. Naturally, any National Assembly giving thought to approving such a step will seek the advice of the Counsellors at an early stage.
We need to be aware, and admit, that this will affect us, too. We already know that most Naw Ruz celebrations were cancelled in person, and held virtually, instead. We all felt the impact of that. And likely most Feasts were cancelled in person, too. Throughout the Baha'i world we saw communities arise to find new and innovative ways to both hold our Feasts, as well as celebrate our new year. But this is just the beginning. Those methods we found last week are the same methods that we are now using for study circles, junior youth groups, children's classes, devotional gatherings, and all of our activities.
We are also certain that this will impact our Ridvan celebrations, as well as our elections. It is good to admit that now, prepare, and find ways to continue on, while being mindful of the current state of affairs in the world.
Oh, and where necessary, we also need to consult with the Institution of the Learned, our beloved Counsellors and Auxiliary Board, a well as their assistants.
Circumstances are different this year than they were in the past, we the Faith moves with it. We can react quickly, and sensibly, when the need arises.
At a time of another crisis, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offered these words of counsel: “In a day such as this, when the tempests of trials and tribulations have encompassed the world, and fear and trembling have agitated the planet, ye must rise above the horizon of firmness and steadfastness with illumined faces and radiant brows in such wise that, God willing, the gloom of fear and consternation may be entirely obliterated, and the light of assurance may dawn above the manifest horizon and shine resplendently.” The world stands more and more in need of the hope and the strength of spirit that faith imparts. Beloved friends, you have of course long been occupied with the work of nurturing within groups of souls precisely the attributes that are required at this time: unity and fellow feeling, knowledge and understanding, a spirit of collective worship and common endeavour. Indeed, we have been struck by how efforts to reinforce these attributes have made communities especially resilient, even when faced with conditions that have necessarily limited their activities. Though having to adapt to new circumstances, the believers have used creative means to strengthen bonds of friendship, and to foster among themselves and those known to them spiritual consciousness and qualities of tranquillity, confidence, and reliance on God. The elevated conversations that have occurred as a result, whether remotely or in person, have been a source of comfort and inspiration to many. Such efforts on your part provide a valuable service at this hour when many souls are perplexed and dismayed, unsure of what will be. However difficult matters are at present, and however close to the limits of their endurance some sections of societies are brought, humanity will ultimately pass through this ordeal, and it will emerge on the other side with greater insight and with a deeper appreciation of its inherent oneness and interdependence.
"At a time of another crisis..." This is not the first time we have faced a global crisis, and in the past, we have arisen and overcome. Remember, the world moves in cycles of crisis an victory. When a crisis occurs, we need to keep our eye on the victory that is coming. We may not know exactly how it will all play out, for "the consequences...cannot yet be estimated with any certainty", but we know the path towards that promised victory. We need to arise with firmness, steadfastness, with illumined faces and radiant brows. We need to show forth hope and strength of spirit.
And you know what? We have been training for this for years. They tell us exactly what is needed right now, all over the world. Unity. Fellow feeling. Knowledge and understanding. A spirit of collective worship and common endeavour. Isn't that what all the core activities are about?
As we have learned to rely on God and prayer, and have learned to consult together in small teaching teams, as well as in larger reflection groups, we have grown in our awareness of the spirit. We have become more tranquil and confident, two qualities that really stand out at this time. Over the past few weeks, as I've posted more on social media, expressing my personal feelings and questioning the assumptions of others, I have noticed an increase in personal messages of thanks and admiration. The very qualities the Universal House of Justice is mentioning are those exact qualities that have been mentioned by others. And I know that for every message or comment I've read, there are many more that have not been sent.
In the end, we can say with confidence and faith that we will come through this crisis, and that part of the victory we will see will be this "deeper appreciation of (our) inherent oneness and interdependence." There is no doubt of it. And as we point it out to others, they, too, will see it more clearly. ll we need to do is draw their attention to it.
This is not the moment in which to describe in any detail the accomplishments of the Bahá’í world over the past year, or the extraordinary progress made in multiplying communitybuilding activities worldwide and strengthening programmes of growth, work which continues in earnest wherever circumstances permit. Suffice it to say that, four years into the current Plan, the tireless supporters of the Cause have brought the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to the strongest position in which it has ever been in its history. Everything you have done and are now doing is preparing the global Bahá’í community for the next stage in the unfoldment of the Divine Plan.
Now is not the time to look at ourselves, to sit on our laurels and be satisfied with all that we are doing. Now is the time for looking to the needs of others. In some ways it is like the inverse of Pilgrimage, during which we don't teach for our focus should be on our own relationship with our Creator. Today, our need is to look to others, to help them in their time of distress. We know we are on the right path, and that should suffice.
For now, our thoughts and our prayers are focused on the health and well-being of all the friends of God and all those among whom you dwell. We pray earnestly, also, for the Almighty to bestow upon you assurance, stamina, and staunch spirits. May your minds be ever bent upon the needs of the communities to which you belong, the condition of the societies in which you live, and the welfare of the entire family of humanity, to whom you are all brothers and sisters. And in your quiet moments, when no course of action other than prayer seems possible, then we invite you to add your supplications to our own and ardently pray for the relief of suffering. We turn to these words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Whose whole existence was an example of selfless commitment to the well-being of others:
O Thou Provider! Assist Thou these noble friends to win Thy good pleasure, and make them well-wishers of stranger and friend alike. Bring them into the world that abideth forever; grant them a portion of heavenly grace; cause them to be true Bahá’ís, sincerely of God; save them from outward semblances, and establish them firmly in the truth. Make them signs and tokens of the Kingdom, luminous stars above the horizons of this nether life. Make them to be a comfort and a solace to humankind and servants to the peace of the world.
Their focus is on our health and well-being, two things that are at the forefront of many people's minds today. And is our job easy? Of course not. It's simple, in that we already know what to do, but it requires a lot of effort, and a constant focus. Perhaps this is why they pray for our "assurance, stamina, and staunch spirits." They also remind us that this is the time to really look to the needs of our community, for they truly do need us. There are many out there who cannot go out to get their simple daily needs, and the require our help. Of course, this will differ from place to place, but help is needed everywhere.
And then, when we are sitting in the quiet of our homes, taking a few moments to reflect and pray, they offer us a prayer to use. Take a moment, dear Reader, and read this prayer again. Think of your neighbours as you say it. Think of the elders in your community. Think of those who are downcast and at risk. For surely, there are no greater words than these to truly express what we are all feeling in our hearts.
