Momentous centenary year promises to open new doors
The National Spiritual Assembly sent this letter to the friends in Aotearoa on 26 February 2021 / 2 Ayyám-i-Há 177 — which included a link to the letter, dated 21 February 2021, from the Universal House of Justice about the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Dearly loved brothers and sisters,
Tēnā koutou katoa! Ngā mihi aroha!
We send our loving Ayyám-i-Há greetings to each of you. After a dynamic summer of productive activity in so many parts of the country, we have much to be joyful about as a community. And now as we move towards the blessed period of the Fast, the National Spiritual Assembly takes this opportunity to communicate some considerations that we hope you may reflect on in moments of contemplation during this sacred period.
The theme of removing obstacles and unlocking potential, and opening our hearts and minds to this process, which is reliant on the Word of God, involves individuals, communities and institutions thinking about the gifts we can offer ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in this special centenary year.
As you may know, the Bahá’í world is entering “a year of profound reflection on the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the strength of the Covenant of which He was the Centre.”* He was the Mystery of God who remains without parallel, at whose passing a charter for the Administrative Order of the Faith was bestowed upon the world in the form of His Will and Testament.
What is occupying our thoughts predominantly as we near Ridván, when the present Five Year Plan will end, the current series of Plans will conclude, and the One Year Plan will commence, are matters relating to giving due recognition to this momentous time in history. It is our ardent hope that all of the friends will have partaken devotedly in contributing in some form to the many and varied ways in which Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation can be applied.
The National Assembly is encouraging everyone to use the period of the Fast (even if you are unable to fast) as a period of reflection on our own characters, so that, drawing inspiration from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, we learn to unlock the untapped potential within ourselves. It is natural that during the Fast, the Word of God, being the penetrating influence that generates the power of implementation, becomes more central to our lives. The theme of removing obstacles and unlocking potential, and opening our hearts and minds to this process, which is reliant on the Word of God, involves individuals, communities and institutions thinking about the gifts we can offer ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in this special centenary year. We are supremely confident in the resourcefulness of the friends in Aotearoa.
Planting seeds through conversations that help connect more hearts to Bahá'u’lláh, assisting with an aspect of community building in your cluster, or arising to help win more of the goals of the Plan are all ways in which one may give befitting gifts in honour of the 100th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing. But there are also other ways — such as praying, contributing to the Fund, or deputising someone in your stead. Even those whose health may not permit them to leave the house, can call on divine assistance to help the efforts being made by others.
Taking initial steps following the Fast as we step into 178 BE, filled with hope, determination, confidence, and zeal will attract celestial blessings and confirmations that will power each soul’s capacities to accomplish your intended aims.
The period of the Fast is a time of inner contemplation that ultimately leads to action —action that we hope will include the setting of clear goals with an outward orientation. In this way the centenary commemorations will be befittingly crowned by our collective efforts during the year. Taking initial steps following the Fast as we step into 178 BE, filled with hope, determination, confidence, and zeal will attract celestial blessings and confirmations that will power each soul’s capacities to accomplish your intended aims.
We wish to specifically draw your attention to the revised Ruhi Books 1 and 2, “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” and “Arising to Serve”, respectively. We urge all adults and youth who have not already done so, to engage with these two recently modified foundational books in the main sequence of institute courses, and to also have a focus on Ruhi Book 8 (The Covenant) — all three units, which lead to a profound appreciation of the Covenant and the Central Figures of the Faith. These study courses give us enhanced capacity to have elevated conversations, reach out to others and invite them to a range of activities, as well as enriching the devotional character of communal life. These study courses provide the tools to connect our gifts of prayer, conversation, and service to the activities and goals of the Plan.
Dedicating everything we do as individuals, communities and institutions this year in tribute to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá will yield abundant gifts for His centenary commemorations, which also relate to the close of the first century of the Formative Age of the Faith. The unfoldment of the Divine Plan is taking shape in the Formative Age of Bahá’u’lláh’s Dispensation, through the successive series of Plans that have taken place over almost a century. Each individual of whatever age or capacity can play a part, however humble you feel your offering may be.
As we think about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá — the Exemplar of servitude — let us also think about His Shrine, currently under construction, and remember the contributions needed for its completion. In that light, the House of Justice has recently informed National Spiritual Assemblies that almost half of the US$75 million needed for its completion is to hand, but there are opportunities for all believers to contribute towards the remainder needed over the next two years of its development. The letter of the House of Justice is attached (link).
We leave you with a few quotations from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá from which you may wish to draw inspiration for your periods of meditation during the Fast:
Bahá’u’lláh has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the reality of unity in our midst, and as we work, so will strength be given unto us. Leave all thought of self and strive only to be obedient and submissive to the Will of God. In this way only shall we become citizens of the Kingdom of God and attain unto life everlasting.
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The greatest bestowal of God in the world of humanity is religion; for assuredly the divine teachings of religion are above all other sources of instruction and development to man. Religion confers upon man eternal life and guides his footsteps in the world of morality. It opens the doors of unending happiness and bestows everlasting honour upon the human kingdom. It has been the basis of all civilisation and progress in the history of mankind.
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This Fast leadeth to the cleansing of the soul from all selfish desires, the acquisition of spiritual attributes, attraction to the breezes of the All-Merciful, and enkindlement with the fire of divine love… Fasting is the cause of the elevation of one’s spiritual station.
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Fasting is the cause of awakening man. The heart becomes tender and the spirituality of man increases. This is produced by the fact that man’s thoughts will be confined to the commemoration of God, and through this awakening and stimulation surely ideal advancements follow.
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Know that nothing will benefit thee in this life save supplication and invocation unto God, service in His vineyard, and, with a heart full of love, be in constant servitude unto Him.
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Service to the friends is service to the Kingdom of God.
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I hope that ye may, day by day, add to your love, steadfastness, purity of intention and service to the Cause of God.
Loving thoughts and best wishes,
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand
Enclosure
Letter of 21 February 2021 to all National Spiritual Assemblies written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice by the Department of the Secretariat — available from the button below:
