A Study of the “Secret of Divine
Civilization”
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>>> "Konstant"
<konstant@absamail.co.za> 11/09/04 08:59PM >>>
Second contribution to the forum, again first
section of SDC.
From Martin Konstant.
Tuesday 9th. November
Dear Sylvia and fellow students.
'Abdu'l-Bahá only writes the book because the
Shah has taken some initiative. There's a ray of hope.
But it's more than that; Bahá'u'lláh only saw
the Maid of Heaven when He was in Siyyah-Chál AFTER He had decided that He was
going to do something about this community that had slipped so badly as to take
a shot at the Shah.
Furthermore, Jewish tradition has it that the
seas only opened AFTER some of the Jews began to walk into the water where
Moses was pointing.
'Abdu'l-Bahá seems to be wringing His hands
asking the Iranians, "How long will you go on like this?" Para 21,
the lament of the Master.
I'm not saying anything everyone doesn't
already know, but it seems good to underline the reality that until we decide
for ourselves to do something or take a direction, nothing will happen. Even if
the Blessed Beauty Himself stands before us, if we turn away and decide not to
do whatever it is, then it's not going to happen.
If, however, we decide to go for it, with
vigour, radiant acquiescence, joy determination, perseverance and so on, we
will find help and assistance all on down the road. Oh poor poor Iranians! -
What about the Iraqis?
What about the Africans who were told by the
Guardian; (I paraphrase) "To the degree to which the people of Africa turn
to Bahá'u'lláh, will they be aided, guided and blessed."
Oh poor poor Africans.
What a world!
We have so much work to do.
The standard is so high! Para 27; "not
until government officials, even minor ones, are free from even the LEAST
remnant of corruption, can the country be properly administered." Upper
case mine.
For my part, I know that I must make efforts
to adjust the balance of my teaching endeavours. Not simply the poor and the
hurting who are so receptive, but also the people of capacity in high places.
Far more difficult for me.
If ever you get the chance to read a lovely
little story called (I think), "Nine Days to Haifa". It is about a
lady who went by train from Berlin to Istanbul in order to go on pilgrimage.
They had a very difficult journey and this book describes the journey. At the
end, she mentioned to the Turkish Army Officer who rescued them some of the
difficulties they had had, "That's nothing" he said, "You should
see the train just in front of you, so many dead, so many rushed to hospital in
a serious state, they are far worse off than you."
Both trains suffered a calamity, but the
second one had one Baha'i in their midst, a Baha'i who got up and got to work
uniting, organising, helping. It made all the difference. The prophecy;
"But for a very small remnant left to us by the Lord of Hosts, we should
be as Sodom and we should be as Gomorrah." Isaiah 1;9. That we are so few
is by design, not by accident, though I certainly don't feel it, we have the
capacity.
With loving greetings to everyone, Martin.
Loving regards
Martin.